Michelle, Ditch and Chestnut {Nashville Dog Photographer}

Michelle won this photo session after bidding on my auction item at a fundraiser held by Metro Animal Care and Control earlier this year. Thank you! Michelle is a big champion for dog rescue. She picks up strays and fosters regularly. In fact, these two sweet pups were strays she came across in pretty memorable ways.

Ditch was found (you guessed it!) in a ditch on July 25, 2013. A day that Michelle fondly calls Ditchmas in July. He was with his two sisters, and sadly, they were all dying from Parvo. Ditch was the only one who made it. “When he became mine, he ditched his worst days behind him” Michelle stated. He is now seven years old. He loves humans, tolerates most female dogs, and would really like to be the only male dog on the planet. Michelle refers to him as her Shepshire Chowback because his DNA test showed him as part Chow, Swiss Shepherd, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Chestnut seemingly chose Michelle when she ran in front of her car on Chestnut street in Nashville. She nearly caused a collision with another car! Both drivers stopped and got out, and Chestnut went straight to Michelle and started licking her face. Despite multiple efforts to find Chestnut’s owners, no one claimed her, and Chestnut got to keep Michelle.

At first Ditch wasn’t so sure about Chestnut, but now they are two peas in a pod. These two couldn’t be more different, though. Ditch is serious, smart and very responsible (minus his love for dumping garbage cans), while Chestnut is super silly, not terribly bright, loves all dogs, and loves to counter surf. “I would never have picked either dog out of a lineup, but they are actually the perfect dogs for me!”

We did this session at Ellington Agriculture Center this summer. Check out some of my favorites!

~Mandy

Contact a Pet Photographer in Tennessee

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!

Danielle and Bruce Wayne {Nashville Pet Photographer}

Today’s blog is a little different. I wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate the life of this handsome golden retriever, Bruce Wayne.  He passed away a few months ago, but I still wanted to honor him and his person, Danielle, by sharing some of my favorites from their last photo session.

Bruce Wayne was an 11 year old retriever who LOVED people. He would walk in to Yappy Hour like it was his own personal cocktail party and greet each guest like they came just to see him! Originally, Danielle had wanted to name her dog “Batman”. However, she thought it might sound silly if she was running around a park yelling for “Batman”. So next best choice: Bruce Wayne. The name suits him, as he lives up to the regal name 100%. 

Aside from loving people, Bruce Wayne also loved the water. They lived in California most of his life, and he would swim in the ocean jumping over waves or take a dip in her parents pool. He was often found sitting in the pool on the steps. Though, one thing Bruce was not a fan of - skateboards. They were too loud for him, but luckily Nashville does not have as many as southern California.

Bruce Wayne was loved through and through by Danielle. When I asked her what was her favorite thing about him, she responded, “There isn’t a darn thing I don’t love. Even his farts are adorable. The way they always surprise him. It’s pretty charming.” Another thing: Bruce Wayne can open gifts! Danielle loved watching him unwrap his presents, and how cute he was when he pulled at the wrapping paper to get to his gifts out. He would get on a roll at Christmas and start taking gifts from the tree that might not be his! “Gosh it’s so cute.” 

In fact, Danielle says Bruce Wayne got cuter every morning! “I asked him his secret for years, but really every morning I wake up and he did it again! Even cuter then the day before. It’s incredible.” She feels he was her perfect real life teddy bear.

Danielle rescued this handsome fella from the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue. “You wouldn’t think so because he is so handsome”. The process she had to go through was quite extensive: a test/essay, an in-home inspection, and then getting approval just to get on a wait list. Finally, after two long months, they called her about a puppy. He had already belonged to another family, but after buying him at puppy store, they wanted to return him because he kept crying. He ended up at a shelter for a few hours before the rescue got him. He was only 6 weeks old when this pair met for the first time!

Danielle loves golden retrievers because they are so smart, friendly and sweet. There is never any concern when approaching a Golden, you know it’s always a sweet dog. Bruce Wayne was the epitome of all these great traits. 

~ Mandy

Pets Are Family, Too!

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!