Palamino Eye

Name and Location undisclosed

Burnside Gate

Walking up the stairwell and through the gates onto The Burnside Bridge from Eastbank Esplanade at dusk. A perfect summer night.

Portland, Oregon 2012

Grandpa's Dogs

Joe & Jake

Point Arena, California

Photo taken by Leonard Craig "Grandpa"

Joe and Jake were my great grandfathers hunting dogs. I found this photo last summer as I was sifting through my grandparents' photo albums. I always remember this photo framed and hanging in my great grandfathers gun room as you entered the house. My great grandparents lived on the north coast of California in a foggy little town just up the bluff from the ocean. I usually went up with my grandparents once a month to check on things. My great grandfather was usually gone at sunrise into the mountains everyday and the dogs were right there with him. When he was home, Joe and Jake were always sprawled out in front of the fireplace that never seemed to fade. These guys lived to run in the hills. With one call from grandpa, they were in the front seat of his truck and ready to go. As a boy, I watched these guys grow old and eventually pass on to doggie heaven. I have always been surrounded by dogs and my love for them started with these two exceptional dogs. Finding this photo brought me right back to those days (as will probably be the case for my family as they see this).

Today my grandparents' dog Sugar passed away and it reminded me of all of our dogs of the past. Its sad to see them move on to the afterlife but this picture is an example of how they will all live on forever in our hearts. 

Tank

Tank stares directly into the lens from beyond his fence

Molalla, Oregon 2012

Mother Mary

Sacred painting at The Grotto

Portland, Oregon 2012

Forever Jimi

Jimi Hendrix Memorial

Greenwood Memorial Park, Renton, Washington

2012

Chico

Chico leaps for toys after his fence is built

Portland, Oregon 2012

Vanderbear

Vanderbear looks on from his area in the back of the property as we arrive to build him a fence.

Sandy, Oregon 2012

Ice Cream Time

Ice cream that is the real deal

Salt and Straw

Portland, Oregon 2012

Grateful Gals

Mindy and Muffy exchanging thank you's after a Saturday build. 

Sandy, Oregon 2012

Three White Fluffy's Unite

Today marked my one year anniversary in doing my part to unchain dogs around Oregon and Washington. Fences For Fido has changed my life and fine tuned my compassion for not only dogs, but all living beings. Photographing the transformation that evolves as each chain is lifted from around a dogs neck has become a passion of mine and I am truly honored to play a small role in such a significant cause. I strive to tell a story of each and every dog through my photographs.

Today was Muffy, Vanderbear, and Caspers day in the spotlight. Casper is the offspring of both Muffy and Vanderbear. All three have been isolated from each other until today. At this moment all three dogs met nose to nose to nose at the section of fence that splits the massive space created for them. This was truly a special moment.

Sandy, Oregon 2012

Red In The Park

Capitol Hill Wall Project

Anderson Park, Seattle, Washington 2012

Summer Lovin

Downtown and Hawthorne Bridge from across The WIllammette

Portland, Oregon 2012

BSL Is The Pits

Kelly holds Sonja close to her heart

Regal looking Tank patiently watches volunteers build his fence

Lexi is a happy pup as she roams her newly fenced yard

Prince and Derek go head to head to see who tires last

Its all about playtime for Gizmo

Eternal flame for dogs across the world that are killed because of what they are and will never get to experience the gift of just being.

Today a pitbull named Lennox was euthanized in Northern Ireland because of his breed. In our country and others across the world there is a movement to ban breed specific dogs such as the pitbull. This is known as breed specific legislation (BSL). Even though Lennox was a mixed breed and had no history of violence he was taken from his family 2 years ago and had lived on death row until now simply because of what he was. There was a worldwide outcry and movement to free him but to no avail. Pleas and even adoption offers by professional behaviorists and handlers that would have taken him out of that country fell victim to politics. However, this is not just about Lennox on this sad and shameful day. Dogs are murdered everyday across the world because of BSL. This movement needs to stop.

As a volunteer photographer for an amazing organization that provides freedom for dogs that live a life on the end of a chain I come across many different breeds including pitbulls. I wanted to share some of my favorite images of some of the fence builds I have been involved with to show how happy and lovable these dogs truly are. I happen to have one sleeping comfortably next to me as I type :)

One pup at a time

Lucy enjoys a nice back rub from Ken

 

Prince grabs his custom made Fido toy from a basin of ice water and takes off

Most Saturday mornings I wake up earlier than I prefer and join a group of friends with the sole purpose of building fences and unchaining dogs in an organization known as Fences For Fido. The goal is a simple and realistic one. It happens one build at a time. The outcomes are almost always happy and joyous. This is the highlight of our week. Typically, I barely make it to work on time after the long drive to work (usually running to the shop while buttoning up my shirt and messing with my hair). I spend the rest of the afternoon and evening talking about the dog of the day and what we do around the area to my clients. However, my spirit usually veers off to the bluer side when I get home and settle in for the night. As I read through the news and Facebook postings I come across tortured dogs given away on Craigslist, dogs dying of neglect and starvation that are tied to trees, animals of war torn countries that are suffering, and horse tripping at rodeos. The list goes on and on. I felt the need tonight to post a couple of pictures from todays build of a 17 year old lab named Lucy and a young pittie named Prince. As you can see these fidos are grateful and happy. My point is that good things are happening out there and progress is being made one day and one puppy at a time.

High Into The Gorge

Melissa has no idea whats in store for her

Elvis looking back wondering why I am lagging behind

Gusgus takes a well deserved rest after a dip in the lake

Elvis enjoys some Lake time

Melissa and Yadira enjoy a moment at camp

Melissa stokes the fire after a long process of trying to burn wet wood

Stopping to snap a few shots of the stunning views

Melissa and Yadira stop for a shot with Mt. St. Helens in the background

Trekking down the ridge

Making our way down through the forest and back to the trailhead

In an attempt to get my dogs out of the city and away from 4th of July fireworks a couple of friends and I hiked high into The Columbia River Gorge to camp out for the night. The hike took us 4000 feet straight up and dropped into a peaceful mountain lake. The trip up was nothing short of brutal. I believe if you asked any of us if we would hike it again the answer would be a big fat NO! However, it was a nice way to spend the holiday as our final destination was very tranquil and the dogs were very happy. 

The Gorge, July 4th 2012

Happy Dogs Fly

Leo gets some air in his newly fenced yard. Happy dog indeed!

Portland, Oregon 2012

Screaming Things

Wall art in Capitol Hill

Seattle, Washington

2012

Jerseys At The Park

There are a few things in this world that I am passionate about. One of them being baseball. In particular, The San Francisco Giants. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I am not able to see my team play very often unless I make the trip home to The Bay Area. Needless to say, I have waited patiently for them to make their way to Seattle for interleague play. Recently, I was able to meet up with a couple of friends to catch a game at Safeco Field. Although sitting in an American League park, there seemed to be an equal amount of Giants fans as there were hometown Mariner fans. Arriving early, I was able to make my way around the park to with ease. One thing that caught my eye was looking at the backs of jerseys the fans were wearing. Although my Giants lost, my experience at this fine ballpark was memorable. 

Timmy Lincecum is a local product and University of Washington alumni, so #55 jerseys were represented in full force.

Ichiro is both a class act ballplayer and fan favorite in Seattle

 Will "the thrill" Clark was not only my favorite Giant, he remains my all time favorite ballplayer. It was pretty great to see the back of this jersey, so taking a seat behind these guys to snap off a shot was necessary.

Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington 2012

James & Devin

James & Devin, two of my favorite people in this world, stop and look cool as we cut thru an alley in Downtown Seattle.

2012

You Go, Lexi !!!

This is Lexi. Before getting a fence on behalf of Fences For Fido, she had spent most of her life either tethered to a tree or inside of a pen. It is common in young and energetic dogs like pitties to wrap themselves around what they are tethered to, as is the case with this tree. This can lead to a potentially hazardous outcome.

In a matter of 3 hours a life is transformed. You go Lexi!

Gervais, Oregon 2012

At Home In Portland

Looking up from The Burnside Bridge
2012

Rebirth

Seven years ago to the day, a significant transformation took place within me. Prior to that day I wandered a destructive path. Living life with a serious addiction, I had no regard for anything or anybody, which more than anything included my body, mind, and soul. It was a vicious cycle each and everyday. At a critical and pivotal moment, an angel offered a guiding hand to me. With nothing left to lose except my heartbeat, I reached up to that hand. Instantly, a true rebirth occurred, guiding me into the light. I use this week each year to reflect on the past and how far I've traveled in my journey. It has not been entirely magical or glorious. I still face life's challenges.  But I am able to feel again. I am alive and I am free. More than anything I have never doubted the power of God and for that I am truly grateful.

Candles and The Vintage

California Highway Patrolman D. Craig

One of the most significant people over the course of my life has been my grandfather.  Today is his birthday. He still gives me that go-with-your-gut answer when I look to him for advice. He still lives for baseball and at 76, plays up to 180 softball games annually (at last count) and he still is very much the father figure in my life. I have a small collection of photos of him early on in his career as a patrolman and sheriffs deputy, slowly working to restore them. It is important to me to preserve and share these vintage photographs.
Happy Birthday Papa!

This photograph is sacred to me and sits in a frame on a table. I still love root beer popcicles and the San Francisco Giants to this day (see above bib donned on yours truly). 

Today also marks the birthday of another exceptional person who has touched me profoundly (you know who you are!). I miss you deeply and my life is not the same without you! Happy Birthday!

Fade To Grey

From the marina

As the day fades away

And the fog rolls in

San Francisco, CA 2012

Armed Forces Day

                                                                                        

As Armed Forces Day approached I remembered I had a picture of my flight in Basic Military Training.  I spent the summer of 1994 at Lackland AFB, TX and it was definitely the hottest place I had ever been. I arrived a scared 18 year old and left a proud man. 

Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX 1994

High End

One of the highlights of my trip to New York City was getting out and spending a couple of nights walking around areas of Manhattan with my camera and tripod. On this night I probably walked fifty blocks taking in the stunning architecture and active street scenes. I love to photograph at night and trying to capture it all proved impossible and often overwhelming. While walking along the edge of Central Park I came across The Plaza Hotel and was impressed with how regal it looked. This image stood out to me because of the silhouette that was captured of the horse-drawn carriage swiftly moving across the scene. 

The Plaza Hotel, NYC 2010