Treats you can make from scratch for your doggie

Whip up this easy homemade doggie treat with simple ingredients you have in your kitchen.

Cheesy Carrot Muffins

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated carrot
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper baking cups.
Combine the flours and baking powder and mix well. Add the cheese and carrots, and use your fingers to mix them into the flour until they are well distributed.

In another bowl, beat the eggs. Then whisk in the milk and vegetable oil. Pour this over the flour mixture, and stir gently until just combined.

Fill the muffin cups three-quarters full with the mixture. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the muffins feel springy. Be sure to let the muffins cool before letting your dog do any taste-testing. If he’s a medium to large dog, one muffin will be a great snack. Make it half a muffin for a toy or small dog.

Recipe reprinted with permission from: DOGS: The Ultimate Care Guide, edited by Matthew Hoffman. Copyright (c) 1998 by Weldon Owen. By arrangement with Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098.

Coronado Surfing Academy

Mint was the first to ride solo!

                                                                                                 
Coronado Surfing Academy or CSA has two location on Coronado Island, one just south of the Hotel Del Coronado and the other across from Loews Coronado Bay Resort.  They have been in business since 2003, and offer private and group lessons for people and DOG LESSONS!  CSA is dedicated to providing the ultimate surfing experience through our professional knowledge and unparalleled customer service.  Teevan worked with my three Border Collies and was amazing!  He even got grumpy Miss Zoe to surf and my little shadow (AKA Mint) was the first to ride the board by herself.  For the most part, it was Mason and Zoe surfing together on the same board!  They had a blast!  When they finally got tired they did what anybody smart Border Collie would do and headed to the life guard station!

L to R is Zoe, Mint, & Mason

Crazy Pet Ownership Facts

 

Many home owners treat their pets as if they were their own children. And even though the economy isn’t at it’s greatest, pet ownership is on the rise as well as the amount of money people spend on their pets. But who can blame them? They make great companions.

 

 

I photographed a Tank this weekend.

Make that I photographed Sir Tanky Tankinton a registered Pembroke Welsh Corgi!  Tank for short to all that know and love him!  Tank was surrender to the Cactus Corgi Rescue by a breeder.  The director of that organization is Vicki Combs and she found a Tank a fantastic forever home.  Tank is going to be one of the models for the upcoming Cactus Corgi 2011 Calendar.  Tank was not really into having his photo taken, but he tolerated me just long enough for some great shots.  He was quite interested in all the activity happening in the horse barn, that's what he is checking out so intently in the first photo below.  So here you go, introducing Tank:

New studio prop is a replica of a pedal car from the 1950's

Amy Gayle Photography: Border Collie in the studio today....

Amy Gayle Photography: Border Collie in the studio today....

Border Collie in the studio today....

This lovely model is a Border Collie named Zoe.  Zoe is very camera shy but I was fortunate enough to capture these wonderful images of this gorgeous girl.  Having her favorite treats on hand didn't hurt!

My Pool has gone to the DOGS!

Several people have asked about my home studio package, specifically the pool options.  Well here is a fantastic shot showing you what it looks like.  We have a rock waterfall that can be used as a launch pad as shown below or the cave under the rocks has a seat and captures the sunlight perfectly!  The privacy wall is painted "Chili Pepper" and creates a wonderfully dramatic background against the Arizona sky.  Monsoon season is the perfect time for this location, the clouds build and create the amazing sky backgrounds!  See for yourself:

Furniture for photo shoots? What do you think?

Z Gallerie has this stunning chaise lounger and I think it is the perfect piece for my desert photography!  This photo does not even come close to reproducing the color which is called Pool.  'Pool' is a medium turquoise hue.  The style is somewhat contemporary but adds slight western charm with shiny chrome nail heads.  I love it, what do you think?

See the entire collection here: http://www.zgallerie.com/images/product/tearsheets/roomview_pauline_pool.jpg

Girls Night Out!

Girls Night Out is more like an all day girls day out!  This is a fun event that revolves around one of my favorite things to do: SHOPPING!  Girls Night Out happens about four times a year at various locations around the valley.  I bought some great jewelry and the cutest flip flops with some bling that you have ever seen!  This was my first event and I went to help out my friend Annie.  Annie is a professional make-up artist and she has developed a fantastic make-up line, Advanced Minerals.  I took some studio lights and my camera and we did some before/after shots.  Annie started her career working as a makeup artist in Hollywood doing film and television work.  Her makeup line is used on the television show NCIS!  All I can say is after a full day of working, my makeup still looks fresh at 11pm!

Come see Annie at the next event November 18 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort.  I am going to be there promoting Amy Gayle Photography as well. That may be the perfect place to give away one of those Gina Alexander Bags I have been raving about......

What's in that pet food?

http://doggybytes.ca/pet-food-dogs-breakfast-cbc-doc-zone/5183/

This is a nice article that links to a video about commercial pet foods.  I found it interesting and thought I would share it.  Like most things you have to listen and draw your own conclusions.

Desert Driving

There is nothing better than a drive in the desert to remind me why I love living here.  The colors are amazing this time of year!  Scoping out sites for fall shoots, I can't wait!