National Dress Up Your Pet Day

January 14 - Dress Up Your Pet Day 
http://ow.ly/wTSM307adBV
According to the Days of the Year  website Dress Up Your Pet Day is an opportunity to wow the neighbors, and to unleash the inner diva of your favorite pooch or Persian… 

Why not go the extra mile, and get the little guy or gal something to match your finest glad rags – that way you can both dress to impress and really set some trends!

Jenny Jenny

Jenny is a great dane mix, but pure in heart. Her coloring is called brindle.

"Brindle is a coat coloring pattern in animals, particularly dogs, cattle, guinea pigs, and, rarely, horses. It is sometimes described as "tiger-striped", although the brindle pattern is more subtle than that of a tiger's coat. The streaks of color are irregular and usually darker than the base color of the coat, although very dark markings can be seen on a coat that is only slightly lighter." 
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brindle

Jenny is waiting for that family that really want a sweet, active, big dog. She is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Daisy Dog

Daisy lived at Needy Paws Animal Shelter. Luckily, through the efforts of staff and volunteers, she has gone to a lucky family that can love  her for years and  years to come.
For years, I was on the board of a humane society. Talk about hard work, emotions, and rewards - that was it.  There are always more dogs that need a home than there are homes available. Needy Paws has made such great strides in adoptions since I left the board. But the need to spread the word to consider adopting from a shelter, spaying an neutering your pet, look for housing that is pet friendly, don't get a pet unless you have a place for it and time to care for it.  All these things will help reduce the amount of pets that are abandoned in the streets and at the shelter.

Ruby and Bandit

Bandit (above) wanted a noble profile portrait for his chance to entice a family to take him home and make him their's forever.  He is temporarily living at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Ruby went for a softer, sweeter look to show off her desire for a family that has a cuddling couch. She has obviously  had puppies in the past, but now that all her kids are gone, she is ready to settle down and be treated like a baby herself.  She visited the studio while living at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Razzy

I had to look up what "Razzy" meant in the Urban Dictionary! Here is what it said and this defines this sweet boy to a T.

Razzy

Most precious and beautiful thing ever! the nicest person you'll ever meet, the most hilarious and fun person on earth!

wow, shes so razzy!

awe! thanks your so razzy.

I am not sure who named him at Needy Paws Animal Shelter, where is waiting  for a home just as "Razzy" as he is.

Maybellene, why can't you be true?

Maybellene, why can't you be true? WELL THIS Maybellene will be true to your heart for sure!
Named as the same song from Chuck Berry - Maybellene, why can't you be true? This beautiful part Black Labrador would like nothing more than to dote on an owner. 
She is waiting for her forever home at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Tito y Tino

 Tito (above), and Tino (below) came to the studio for their professional profile portraits. You see, they are currently living at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas. Both are very sweet, attentive, and active. They are brothers but have coats just a little bit different and of course, Tito has a "necktie" marking. They are part Labrador Retriever.

Katmandu the Catahoula Leopard Dog

I just never know what I am going to have the pleasure of photographing each week when the Animal Care Specialist from Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas brings me sweet pups to photograph.
This week I photographed Katmandu - the Catahoula Leopard Dog. This breed is  an American dog breed named after Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  They usually have a unique eye color in one or both eyes. Katmandu is a red Catahoula. Catahoulas are used for both hunting and herding. I have heard of them being used for  hunting wild pigs, squirrels, raccoons, bears, and many other animals. They are excellent trackers. They are tough enough to take on a pig, and I have always heard them referred to as "hog dogs".   Catahoulas are protective and a natural alarm dog, very dedicated to their families, but generally have a great temperament.
Which ever family is lucky enough to add Katmandu to their household is truly in for a long time of a great dog!

Nicky

Nicky is part Great Pyrenees and the other part is all love. He has a beautiful coat.

He loves to stand up and give hugs and just be close to people. He is ready to give hugs to his forever family. Right now he is being treated for heart worms, but when he is finished with his treatment - he is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas USA

Every Wednesday, I have the honor of photographing shelter dogs from Needy Paws.

Toro

Toro is a wild, wonderful bully. He is a young "teenager" of a boy that is so bright, and could learn so very fast if adopted into a forever family that is ready for some fun. He is really a clown with the sweetest expression when he cocks his head to try to understand what you are trying to say to him.
If you know someone that is ready for a family member this special, he is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Media Noche - Midnight

How many Black Labradors are named "Midnight"? 
Probably lots, but this will not be her name forever. You see, she is living temporarily at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas. Hopefully one day soon, her forever family will come and take her home and give her a unique first name, and since she will be part of their family, probably their last name too.

John Henry - The puppy not the legend

So when Animal Care Specialist Trent told me he was bringing in "John Henry" I did not expect this sweet, soft, calm puppy that posed and posed for me.The story of John Henry is told in a classic folk song, which exists in many versions, and has been the subject of numerous stories, plays, books and novels. I expected a big black lab, or pit bull. either way, this puppy is waiting for  his forever home at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas

Bae - Adorable and Adoptable

Bae is such a sweetheart!  I think she would love to snuggle on the couch with you for a few hours at a time! She is available for adoption at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville Arkansas.

I love being able to photograph these precious babes from the shelter.

Lizzie - Adorable and Adoptable

Meet Lizzie, one of my best models this week. She climbed up on the bench just like she knew what she was doing. Then after her session, she rolled over and proudly displayed her fresh surgery scar - letting me know she is spayed and ready to go to her new home! She is available for adoption at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville Arkansas.

Karma's a bitch...

You know the saying.... Karma's a bitch. 
Ohhhh, not in the naughty bad way - in the way we used the word when I was in the dog world!!! Karma is a sweet pit mix that just happens to be female. She came to the studio to have her professional portrait taken in hopes someone will see it and consider giving her a forever home. She is currently living at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Molly is Adorable and adoptable

Molly came in to the studio for her Professional portrait. She is currently living at Needy Paws  Animal Shelter in Clarksville Arkansas. I am guessing she is about 10 months old, lab something mix with soooooo cute ears! She has so much energy and was on and off her box until I went to the cabinet and got out the treats. She learned to stay on her box so quick!!! I I think she will be easy for someone to train, full of love, and ready for adventures in her forever home.

Stick out Your Tongue

Don't ya just hate it when someone catches you in a photograph with your mouth open, or your tongue out? This sweet girl dog is very regal as you can see in the bottom photo, but just as I started to take the first photo, her tongue came out and it was caught on camera.
So her best "model" shot has two takes because I think the top one is adorable. She was for adoption at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas USA.

Betsy the Beautiful Momma

Betsy the Beautiful Momma was abandoned in a field with her very young puppies. She tried to take care of them, but her milk had dried up since she had no nutrition. They were saved, nourished back to health and put up for adoption at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas USA

Firecracker can JUMP

Adorable and Adoptable
This little Firecracker can jump into your arms, and into your heart. She was for adoption at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville Arkansas USA
I love photographing pets from there every week. They deserve every advantage they can get in getting into their forever homes.

Lowrider Perks UP

Adorable and Adoptable Lowrider was not sure he wanted to perk up his ears for his profile pic, then (as often happens at Hardgrave Photography) a Tigger toy went flying through the air and Lowrider was ready to play. He is for adoption at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville Arkansas USA