Our "after school" time is spent enjoying a little fresh air before heading in for the whole "homework-dinner-play-reading" bedtime routine. We either take Kooper on his second walk of the day or just hang out in the backyard. Kooper LOVES chasing the kids all over the yard. But he recently started "herding/nipping" at them when they play chase so we've switched things around a bit and have the kids dangle a toy or stick when they run so that his focus is on grabbing the toy rather than trying to herd THEM. His breed has really strong prey drive (they were pred to hunt lions after all) so we are really lucky that Kooper's innate nature is that of a pussycat, in the sense that he is just ridiculously sweet, gentle and loving with the kids and his
"pack." Now, if you were an intruder I don't think he'd be quite so friendly with you...... Just sayin'.
It was a gorgeous afternoon yesterday with subdued sunshine creating just this perfect soft light so I decided to grab some shots of our little ritual. I had the ISO at 800 and the Shutter speed at 1/1000. I adjusted the aperture as the lighting shifted throughout but it averaged around f4 ish. I also had my fixed 135mm lens on my camera.
I should also mention, since it occurred to me that Kooper looks so HUGE and MEAN in these pictures, that he is actually the SWEETEST dog you will EVER meet. Don't let all those teeth fool ya! And the faces the kids are making are NOT fearful faces! I ASSURE YOU!! In fact, my next post will show you some of the sweet, cuddly shots I have of Kooper sleeping/cuddling with the kids. They are not remotely afraid of him which is why these scrunched up faces are so hilarious to me. I guess it's just a natural reaction to close your eyes and brace yourself when a dog that outweighs you TWO TIMES your own body weight is coming barreling at you at full speed! Yes, Kooper is now 60 lbs at not quite 5 months. Ellie weighs 30 lbs soaking wet. Gavin weighs 65 lbs. By the end of the week Kooper and Gavin will weigh the same thing. CRAZY.
OK, enjoy these images, they made me giggle the entire time I was editing them and prepping them for the blog. BTW, minimal post processing other than increasing contrast a bit and mild sharpening for blog display.
I ADORE this next shot!
We're still working on "give".... but he's got all the other basics down pat!
Kooper is convinced he can carry TWO things in his mouth at once and get very confused when he opens his mouth to get the second item and the first one falls out. The look on his face brings us all boundless laughter!
You can't really see Gavin's face here but he is doing this eyes shut, scrunchy nose face that you will see on Ellie next. THE EXACT SAME FACE. Hilarious.
Kooper plays TOTALLY differently with Ellie than he does Gavin. He tests the limits a bit with Gavin and will be a little more physical with him. But Ellie, oh dear it's so funny. He has MAD respect for that girl. She is completely and totally IN CHARGE of him. All she has to do is a swift point of the finger and a stern look and his butt sits right down. Also, he won't try to herd her. Instead, she "leads" him around and he demurely follows her. We are working on getting Gavin a bit higher on the "pack leader" food chain with regard to Kooper because right now, between the three of them the order is Ellie, Kooper, Gavin, without a doubt. Thankfully, Kooper is a sweetheart with them both but family pack structure is very important! Can you tell I've been watching my Tivo'd episodes of The Dog Whisperer slightly religiously? (Ok, Ok, obsessively, pshhh, whatever....)
There's that face! I swear she really LOVES doing this with Kooper!
And there it is again. I don't know why this makes me laugh so hard, it just does. :)
My boy.
My girl.
Laughter is the best medicine is it not?! :)
Why yes, I am the most gorgeous looking dog on the face of the planet, why thank you! (alright, I'll admit to being totally biased but hey, I'm his mama, I'm allowed to be!)
