Will You Play With Me? Photo

Photographer’s Note

We're experiencing lovely autumn afternoons in northern California at the moment that invite walking. I was wandering through residential neighborhoods as I returned home from a visit downtown taking photos as I went. I stopped at the open gate of a small estate and took a few shots when I heard a dog barking. I saw the animal in the distance running toward me. The wagging tail told me I wasn't about to be attacked but it was when the dog stopped and dropped a well chewed tennis ball on the driveway that I understood what was happening.

Dogs are amazing companions. All they require is regular food, a scratch behind the ears every once in awhile and a few balls for them to chase. I gave this beauty more than a few rubs and she appreciated them no doubt. But it wasn't until I took that soggy lump into my hand and threw it that she was really happy. We played our game for a few minutes before my arthritic shoulder told me it was time to go. She was still staring at the ball when I left...

HERE is a photo of this golden labrador's home. I think she lets a few people live there with her... ;-)

Rinie_Hoff, Galeota, Homerhomer, Oldtree, BIGSESAL has marked this note useful

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Galeota (10329) 2005-11-14 14:52

You know what, I could play with a ball all day long if only I had the possibility to live in such a house. I could even get me an automatic non stop wagging tail. Some dogs have all the luck...and some guys have all the pain..

irma (10) 2005-11-14 15:07 [Comment]

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Homerhomer (4005) 2005-11-14 15:09

not only there may be enough room for a human in this house, but maybe even a cat;-)

Artistically the picture isn't anything unusual (gather this was your intention), but together with your note it perfectly illustrates the place these wonderfull companions have in our lives, infact it's your note that I enjoyed the most.
Wouldn't be surprised if the poeple owned by this dog also had arthritic shoulders, unlike many dogs in North America who are overweight, this one is all muscle and in fantastic shape, bet it takes more than few ball tosses to keep her in this shape.

Hope your arm is still attached to your shoulder ;-)

While this story is all good and happy, I also find a different side of it. On many occasssions dogs are given a bit too much freedom, some poeple don't like dogs and don't want to have anything to do with them, which is fine, in other cases even friendly dogs can cause injuries by simply charging running and jumping, and then there are the once who the owners claim their fidos would never bite.
Peter

davido (1982) 2005-11-14 16:57

That's quite an emotive shot Curtis, this dog is going to make me cry ;o)
Really good capture of the feeling of the dog. This must have been difficult for him not to have played during your photographying him.
What I feel about this shot is that you concentrate both on the dog AND the ball, which is pretty original. I mean the eye is lead to the dog then the ball and back to the dog and so on... It is a clever attempt of composition.

Oldtree (2457) 2005-11-15 12:48

Hi Curtis,

this is a wonderful photo. It tells not only a small story about this dog but about all dogs. In my childhood we had a german shepherd. And I instantly recognized the dogs body language. It made me smile. Oh and by the way a dog about this size and bigger needs also some movement every day, but that doesn't seem a problem here with such a big dog house :).
Cheers

Rinie_Hoff (9332) 2005-11-22 4:07

Can't you call this one, in line with your later uploaded photo's: "Me and my ball"?
Lovely capture Curtis, I like the frown, and the concentration on the ball, as if he hopes that it will start moving all by itself.
But I think she is he, BTW, 'she' is perfectly hiding 'her' penis with her right paw. At least, I think so ;-). Hmmm, seems like a great place to live for a dog.

BIGSESAL (202) 2007-10-02 10:11