Courtney with Macy & Bella {Nashville Dog Photography}

This week on the blog, I am honoring two sweet pups in a celebration of life, sadly they both passed away last year. I share with you some of my favorite pics of a fall mini session I did with Courtney and her two dogs at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park .

Macy, aka Mace Dawg, was a 14 year old Yorkie at the time of the session. She got the name when Courtney was in college. Courtney loves that Macy had such a big personality and that she never left her side.

Bella was an 11 year old Collie/Spaniel/Setter mix that was abandoned close to Courtney’s parents' home in Alabama. She brought this cute dog back to Nashville with her. She was extremely well behaved and calm. Courtney could just tell that Bella was so grateful to be a part of the family! “Rescues make the best pets!”

As you enjoy the photos below, keep in mind that fall is right around the corner! I am working on my fall mini sessions schedule and Marcella Vivrette Smith Park will definitely be a location option again.

~Mandy

photo of woman holding yorkie near fence
woman smiling at camera in photo of her with two dogs
pet photo of yorkie and owners legs
dog sitting on driveway in photo
photo of woman with two dogs on blanket at marcella vivrette smith park

Have a dog you adore? Bring them to a photo session!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

Dog Medical Emergency Guide

Today I wanted to share this very useful information with you all. I hope you never have to use it, but it’s great information to have just in case.

Medical emergencies are a real, though unfortunate, part of pet ownership. Whether it’s an allergic reaction, broken bone or heat stroke, accidents can happen. It’s vital to recognize any signs of severe trauma in your pet, which may include pale gums, excessive bleeding, difficulty standing and rapid breathing. 

Pet parents may find it difficult to make rational decisions in a crisis, especially if an emergency occurs in the middle of the night. For this reason, it’s critical to stay calm and know how to handle the situation. Read on to learn about some common pet emergencies and the steps you can take to help your furry friend. 

Poisoning 

Many common household items that are generally safe for humans can pose a threat to pets if accidently consumed. These include: Pest poison, Antifreeze, Sugar-free sweeteners, Alcoholic beverages, Chocolate, Raisins, Grapes and Currants.

Ingesting these items could cause your pet to experience symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, seizures and disorientation. Call the veterinarian immediately if your pet exhibits these signs of poisoning. If you can’t reach the vet or are unsure whether a certain product is toxic, call the number for poison control.

Heat stroke

Heat stroke can be a serious threat to pets year-round, although it’s more likely to happen during the summer months. For this reason, it’s crucial to never leave a pet in a hot car. Heatstroke occurs when an animal’s body temperature increases above 105 degrees. Dog breeds that have heavier coats or those that have medical conditions are typically more susceptible to heatstroke.

Signs that your pooch may be overheating include: Excessive panting and drooling, Lethargy, Diarrhea, Vomiting, and Bright red tongue or gums.

If your pet is experiencing these symptoms, remove them from the hot environment and place a wet towel on their back. It is imperative to cool your dog gradually because using cold water can cause dangerous blood pressure changes. If your dog’s condition doesn’t improve within about 10 minutes, take it to your vet for immediate medical attention.

Choking

Pets are curious by nature and like to chew on almost anything. For this reason, they may be susceptible to swallowing foreign objects, such as household items. If an object becomes lodged in their windpipe, they may begin to choke. Dogs can also choke on large pieces of food, toys and bones.

Symptoms of choking include: Pawing at the mouth, Forceful coughing, Drooling and Gagging.

If your pet is choking, open its mouth and perform a visual check to see if you can spot an object. If you feel or see an obstruction, carefully perform a finger sweep to remove the object if it’s reachable. If it cannot be reached, perform the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the item. Seek immediate care at an emergency animal hospital if you can’t remove the object.

While not every emergency is life threatening to your furry friend, many issues can turn critical quickly. In most cases, your pet can be treated successfully if the issue is addressed early and properly.

For your own downloadable copy of the dog medical emergency guide click here!

AUTHOR BIO: Stephanie N. Blahut is Director of Digital Marketing and Technology for Figo Pet Insurance. Figo is committed to helping pets and their families enjoy their lives together by fusing innovative technology — the first-of-its-kind Figo Pet Cloud — and the industry’s best pet insurance plans.

Dog looking up on a bridge at ellington agriculture center in Nashville TN
Nashville family photographed at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park with their white lab
Smiling Woman Looking at her dog at Ellington Agriculture Center
Two boys sitting with two dogs on a blanket

Do you want a professional capturing your pets and their people?

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

Zettersten Family {Nashville Dog Photography}

This week on the blog, I get to share a record for me of the largest puppy I have ever photographed! Yes! You read that right…the St. Bernard photographed below, is just a puppy! He is only six months old. His sister, who is seven years old, is another big dog breed - a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Johanna and Rolf Zettersten brought their sweet pups to my home in College Grove for their photo shoot. Winston is the St. Bernard and was named Winston because he “just looks like a Winston” and after Winston Churchill. Their Bernese Mountain Dog was named Scout (a girl) after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Both Winston and Scout love everything. While Winston is still navigating kids, Scout is just happy to be alive. However, she doesn’t like thunderstorms.

Johanna and Rolf love to watch Winston grow, as he is changing everyday. They love discovering the world through his eyes. “He is such a happy little boy.” The Zettersten’s say Scout is just the most loyal, loving creature. When asked about why they love the breeds of their pups, their response was “We love big dogs and we can not lie.” In all seriousness, both pups are gentle giants with an even bigger capacity to love unconditionally.

I can’t end on a much sweeter note than that. Hope you enjoy checking out some of my favorite photos from their session!

~Mandy

Have pets you adore? Bring them to your family photo session!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!