Jeanette Smith Photography

Tag Archives: APRA

pugs+kisses

February 15, 2009 – 8:49 PM

Yesterday, the Pugs and I headed to Birmingham, AL for Pugs and Kisses, an Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption event. This is usually a pretty small, low-key event so I thought we could just do some quick valentine cards and print them on the spot:

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But we got sooooo busy that it got a little crazy. We got most of them done finally and it was a pleasant surprise to be busier than we thought. We will definitely have to rethink our process if we do that again, though! But it was a lot of fun, and my pugs had a blast (especially Major – pictured above). So here are just a few of the photos (and some out-takes) that I took yesterday for the valentines – I may have to post a few more tomorrow:

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By jeanette | Posted in APRA, dogs, miscellaneous, pugs | Also tagged Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption, dog photography, pugs, valentine | Comments (0)

two special pugs…two more stars in the sky

January 10, 2009 – 11:38 PM

Those who know me know that I love my Alabama Pug Rescue group. In that group are some of the sweetest, most caring, generous and genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. We all have one common bond – the love of these silly little clowns (a.k.a. pugs). So when one of us suffers a loss, it feels like we all suffer a loss. I don’t know how I would have made it through my sweet Uncle Albert’s death in September of 2007 (yes, he was a pug…not a real “uncle”) without them. This fall, when we decided to do the paintings for Pugs and Pumpkins, I had a couple of surprise projects that I did then (and since they were surprises, I didn’t post them here). While I was working on the paintings, we found out that Bess, one of our most dedicated volunteer’s Diva Pug was diagnosed with cancer, so I wanted to do something for Bess’ mom. Then I decided that I really needed to do a special painting for Hope (thanks to one awesome volunteer, MC, who provided me with a photo of Hope), who is the reason for APRA’s existence (you can read her story here). Sadly, tragically, and unexpectedly, Hope passed away on December 4. I had no idea that when I was preparing to do the painting that when I gave it to her mom, Hope would be gone. And then, yesterday, Bess passed away. It has been hard knowing the sadness that comes with losing a dog…but not just a dog, not just a pug, but a member of the family, and in some cases, such as Uncle Albert’s and Bess’, a leader of the dog pack, and in the case of Hope, the inspiration to start an organization that has helped so very many pugs and pug friends find their forever homes or find a place to live out their last years, loved, in comfort, and cherished. Nothing is ever the same when they leave us. So while I am not the best writer, and struggle for the right words to express how devastating these losses have been, I would like to remember each of them and remember their amazing spirits, and their amazing human moms who have touched so many other people because of their love for these two special girls.

Hope, 1997 – December 4, 2008:

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Bess, May 30, 1996 – January 9, 2009:

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By jeanette | Posted in APRA, paintings, personal work, pugs | Also tagged Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption, digital painting, dog photography, dogs, paintings, products, pugs | Comments (1)

…and one more thing, please vote!

October 23, 2008 – 10:18 PM

Yes, you should vote for the presidential candidate of your choice, but I am asking you to vote for the Spooky Pug Witch. You are thinking, “what????”. Right? Well, one of our APRA volunteers entered her beautiful pug, Princess, in the Disney Family Bow-Wow-Ween contest. If she wins, she will donate all of the prize money to APRA. So we are asking wherever we can for votes! It looks like a tight race and APRA really needs this! So, if you will, please take a minute and register (yep, sorry, you have to register, but who doesn’t want to register at a Disney site?) and then vote every day for Princess the Spooky Pug Witch! I thank you and the Pugs thank you!

Vote HERE.

THANK YOU!

By jeanette | Posted in APRA, miscellaneous, pugs | Also tagged pugs, vote | Comments (0)

sample paintings for p+p

October 23, 2008 – 10:10 PM

I did a few sample paintings for Pugs and Pumpkins to display and thought that it would be fitting to use real rescues (with happy endings) as the models. I had pictures of Toby from when I spent a few days at the “Pug Chateau” this summer and I had some of Madison from a session I did at the first of the year. So since both of their moms are volunteers, I chose to do paintings of them. First, Toby, who avoided me (well not really, but he was NOT the easiest subject) for most of the days I was there, but on the last day of my visit all of a sudden became a professional model:

And then, Madison, who I think is absolutely adorable (and she is as sweet as she looks):

I experimented a little more with the backgrounds for these and like how they turned out. What do you think?

By jeanette | Posted in dogs, paintings, pugs | Also tagged paintings, pugs | Comments (6)

pugs + pumpkins 2008

October 20, 2008 – 11:41 PM

Saturday was the annual Pugs and Pumpkins at Oak Mountain State Park near Birmingham, AL. This is a fundraising event for Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption and this year I think was one of the most successful. Besides being an absolutely beautiful day, there were so many great pugs (and pug friends) and it was so much fun. This year for the photo booth, we decided that I will do little mini-paintings (since I am so addicted to it and all) so I am going to have a lot of practice – we were so busy all day! Anyway, here are some pictures – most of these are snapshots but I threw in a couple of the “posed” shots because they were too cute. I wish I could post about a hundred shots – it was hard to narrow it down! There are also some of the available rescues. To find out more about them, or to find out about helping or adopting, please visit Alabama Pug Rescue’s website.

[caption id="attachment_203" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="This is Boo, a little 12-week old rescue. He was soooo adorable."]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_199" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="Charro - one of my regulars!"] Charro - one of my "regulars"; she and her sister get their pictures done for each event.

Charro - one of my "regulars"; she and her sister get their pictures done for each event.

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[caption id="attachment_200" align="alignnone" width="800" caption="Minnie, the Catch of the Day (and also winner in the costume contest - funniest category)"]

Minnie, the Catch of the Day (and also winner in the costume contest - funniest category)

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[caption id="attachment_201" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="Chuckie. Isn't he scary?

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[caption id="attachment_202" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="Dodie's just being the bee."]

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[caption id="attachment_208" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="A nice pumpkin."]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_209" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="Arrrrrgh, matey!"]

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[caption id="attachment_210" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="My fabulous assistant, Alexa, entertaining Buddy."]

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[caption id="attachment_211" align="alignnone" width="800" caption="Ellie the pumpkin."]

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[caption id="attachment_212" align="alignnone" width="800" caption="Dodie. Just because."]

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[caption id="attachment_213" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="Some Pug royalty."]

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[caption id="attachment_214" align="alignnone" width="800" caption="What it's all about."]

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The Rescues – visit Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption to find out more about them:

[caption id="attachment_219" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="Dublin"]

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And a couple of happy endings:

Who says guys can’t wear ruffs?

[caption id="attachment_221" align="alignnone" width="531" caption="A very happy ending...she's one of the rescue success stories!"]

A happy ending...she's one of the wonderful rescue stories who now has an adoring family!

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By jeanette | Posted in APRA, dogs, pugs | Also tagged 2008, Alabama Pu, pugs, Pugs and Pumpkins | Comments (4)

a few of mine (again)…and reminder

October 13, 2008 – 8:46 PM

I know. They are blog hogs. But they have to “work” (for treats of course). So here are a few of Dodie, Major, and Buddy (I know…Munchkin is missing. She’s just too much of a diva to tolerate too much modeling.)

The reminder is that this Saturday is Pugs and Pumpkins in Birmingham AL, a fun event for pug lovers in the area! It is being held to benefit Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption and I will be there with my photo booth, doing mini-digital paintings this year. Visit their site for more information or to just help out! And speaking of helping out, one thing that you can do is vote for one of our volunteer’s pugs – Princess is Spooky PugWitch in the Bow Wow Ween Contest at the Disney Family website. The winner will receive a cash prize that Princess’s mom will give entirely to APRA if Princess wins. Every vote counts! So if you want a quick way to help APRA out, go vote for Spooky PugWitch!

And one other opportunity to help APRA is at The Animal Rescue Site where you can find and vote for Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption for another chance to win much-needed funds for our rescues.

Thank you!