Lens-Artists Challenge #334 – Cats and Dogs
Are we divided or united when it comes to cats and dogs? No matter your preference, it is undeniable that whiskers and wags can fill our lives with joy. This week, Tina asks us to focus on cats and dogs for the Lens-Artists challenge.
I opened this post with a photo of Bear, our departed chow-chow dog. He loved hanging out in the front yard so much that we changed our backyard fence to a picket fence so that he could see through while we were at work. Once we got home, it was time to let him hang out in the front yard. He would sit near some plants and watch everything around him. He lived one month short of fifteen years and had a fulfilling life.
I am a dog person. Only once in my entire life did I have a cat at home. Although they are adorable pets, they are also undoubtedly individualistic. In our old house, we used to have some neighborhood cats that would drop by from time to time after Bear passed away. They enjoyed the large potted plants and tried to hide there, waiting for birds to come to the feeders. That innocent face is misleading. Just the usual balance of nature, you know.
This other cat on the chair was the guardian of our cabin when we were visiting the national parks in Utah. As you can see, it was not very friendly, but we were okay with that.
Here are two additional dog photos. The first is part of The Canine Stars. Those are rescue dogs that were trained to do stunts. Seeing the joy on their faces as they jump high and land safely in the trainer’s arms is heartwarming.
The other photo is what you get with a low shutter speed as a dog shakes water off its face.
There are other kinds of dogs, of course. If you visit Caprock Canyons State Park in the Texas Panhandle, the prairie dogs are one of the main attractions besides the Texas Bison Herd. There is a large prairie dog colony in the park. They add magic to the park.
In closing, I’ll share a mayhem example from October 2015 during the Formula 1 USA Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. On Saturday, the schedule had some practices and the qualifying for the Sunday race. It rained cats and dogs for most of the morning. The track could not handle the amount of rain—lots of water accumulated along the track. The photo below shows a Circuit of the America employee trying to clear debris from a drainage hole. You can see that his feet are submerged in that track’s corner. Eventually, in mid-afternoon, race practices re-started after the rains stopped.
I want to thank everyone who joined the complementary color challenge this week. I loved seeing the gorgeous photos you shared with vibrant contrasting colors. This week, Tina leads with cats and dogs. Be sure to check out her post, and don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, it will be Patti’s turn to give us another exciting challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
These are the stories behind the shots. If you liked these photos, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Bear, Caprock Canyons SP, Circuit of the Americas, Dogs, Lens-Artists, Prairie Dogs, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Vicki
Bear looks adorable (and I’m not a dog or cat person).
‘Raining cats and dogs’ is an interesting take on the challenge. 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Vicki. I just couldn’t pass that chance to mention that idiom about cats and dogs. 🙂
Alison
I’m definitely a dog person, not keen on cats at all
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback. I hope you’ll join that challenge, too.
Alison
I’m hoping too
Anne Sandler
Great post for this challenge Egidio. Bear must have been a wonderful guard dog. Those cat pictures are precious.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. Bear was a great companion and guard dog (very territorial).
Tina Schell
These are terrific Egidio – LOVED Bear, what a beauty he was!!! And very clever to to include the prairie dog!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Tina. I am glad you liked these photos.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Egidio, these are lovely. Once again I left your blog with a smile on my face
Egidio Leitao
Ritva, that’s the best compliment. Thanks for that. I’m glad you had a smile on your face.
Toonsarah
Unlike you I’m a cat person rather than a dog person (as will be obvious when you see my post for this week!) but I do think Bear looks beautiful 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah. I can hardly wait to check you post.
Sofia Alves
Thank you for making me smile, Egídio. Cleaver take on raining cats & dogs 🙂 But Bear took my heart, he looked like a gentle giant (and what a cool name too!)
Egidio Leitao
Sofia, Bear was a gentle giant. We still miss him — 20 years after his death. Pets never leave our lives. Thanks for the feedback.
Yanaj *
What a beautiful, heartwarming and delightful collection, Egídio, starting from adorable fluffy Bear to the Canine Stars. There is no room for sadness anymore or any other emotion except of joy and bliss watching the stunt dog having a time of his/her life!
Egidio Leitao
Yanaj, thank you for the comments. Yes, one cannot help but smile seeing those dogs having fun.
marina
I love all the photosmn this post!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Marina. Pets give us so much joy.
Marie A Bailey
Bear looks like a cutie, a big furry cutie. Sounds like he was a wonderful companion as well, and, yes, we never stop missing them. I’m a cat person myself, but I enjoy dogs of all kinds. I just don’t like having to pick up their poop 😉
Egidio Leitao
Marie, thank you for these tender words about Bear.
norasphotos4u
Bear is a great name for your chow – a beautiful dog. The photo of the agility dog is a great action photo
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Nora.
carabeinsplash
Bear is the best name ever for that beautiful dog. 15 is a long time to live for a dog that size. You must’ve given him a really good life! 🙂
Egidio Leitao
We were very lucky to have had him that long. We were aware of his declining health, but he was active until the day before he passed. Thanks, Cara.
JohnRH
Great photos Egidio. I love that shot of Bear, and the leaping rescue dog! Raining cats and dogs is a nice plot twist too. 👏
Egidio Leitao
John, thanks for the compliments.
Leya
These are all lovely, Egidio! And Bear was a beautiful breed and a lovely companion I understand. Our neighbours have two of that breed, but they are brownish. The jumping rescue made me smile and smile again! And the idiom I was tempted to use as well, but could not find a suitable picture. Loved this post!
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, we need to smile more, and those photos help us. Thanks for writing and for your compliment.
Leanne Cole
Wonderful Egidio, lots of great cats and dogs. Very cute, have to love them.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a bunch.
Dawn M. Miller
I love reading about your life from the pet perspective.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for saying that, Dawn. Pets are amazing creatures in our lives.