Dogs and their tales wanted for book
Antics of assistance dogs, rescued pups and pampered pooches have been captured for a book by two Waikato photographers.
Hamilton’s Lynda Mowat and Cambridge-based Dianna Beiszer have been sitting dogs from all walks of life in front of the lens.
They produced not only lovable portraits, but heartwrenching and uplifting tales.
Aptly named Celebrating Dogs, the coffee-table book hopes to profile 100 dogs from around the region.
Mowat and Beiszer have already encountered pets with stories of rehabilitation and resilience.
Like Berry, who had two separate families - including one who spoke Chinese Mandarin - before he found his forever home.
‘‘He was a very well-trained Black Labrador, and they just love food. The first night they were trying to feed him, and Berry sat and the mum tried all these different commands to get Berry to eat. The dog wouldn’t budge,’’ Mowat said.
‘‘In the end they figured it out and they actually had to Google the Mandarin for eat.’’
After that, he had no issues tucking into his food.
Then there’s Dave, a FoxTerrier Poodle, who is a real-life Hairy Maclary.
There’s also a three-legged jack russell and a retired racing Greyhound.
‘‘Dogs have no hidden agendas, you get total honesty. It’s unconditional love,’’ Mowat said.
For 20 years, her breed of choice has been Golden Retrievers, while Beiszer has a Boxer-Staffy called Dexter, a rescue dog from Te Awamutu.
The venture began following years doing photography for Pooch Racing in Cambridge.
Run by Assistance Dogs, the event attracts hundreds of dogs and their owners, with the former competing in a 100m sprint.
‘‘At the pooch racing, you meet a lot of people coming along with their dogs, and when you start talking to someone about their dog, they will talk to you for ages, but if you ask them about themselves, they’ll offer two words,’’ Beiszer said.
Celebrating Dogs was produced with the hope of combining the intense images from Pooch Racing, with calm moments of dogs in their own backyard.
‘‘I think people underestimate dogs. They are capable of so much,’’ Mowat said.
‘‘[The book] might encourage someone to go down to their SPCA and give somebody a new home.’’
Mowat and Beiszer are calling on pet owners with unusual dog breeds or tales who want to share their story. They hope to release the book before the next Pooch Racing, which is held annually at Cambridge Raceway in October.
For information, contact Lynda and Dianna at celebratingdogs. photography@gmail.com