Yesterday I got a completely fur-brained idea that I'd try to get a fall photo of the dogs together, all sitting on my front porch.
This was a complete fiasco.
When I opened the front door and called for them, they immediately obeyed, and the raucus sound of 12 clawed paws stampeding across the kitchen floor was enough to make me want to change my mind and just photograph the quiet pumpkins instead. Nevertheless, I pressed on, willing myself to be patient with the beasts, knowing they were just thrilled to death that I was allowing them out in the front of the house instead of out back.
I let them get some of the wiggles out by running from driveway to driveway, sniffing what they may, and I called them back. They all ran up onto the porch like good little hounds, but that's when the trouble began…
"Friday, sit!" Friday sat, but Tasha jumped up to nip at him bc he was being a brown-noser.
"Tasha, stop!" Tasha stopped, but Missy lunged at her neck, growling like Cujo bc I had spoken to Tasha and not to her.
"Missy, quit!" Missy quit, but Friday got nervous that he was still sitting and hadn't gotten a treat for it, so he got up to sniff at Missy.
"No, Friday, sit!" Friday sat, but Missy again lunged for Tasha's neck, growling like Cujo bc I spoke to Friday instead of to her.
"Missy, that's enough!" Missy looked at me adoringly, but Tasha jumped up and tried to nip Friday bc he was being too compliant and refuses to get in touch with his inner samurai, as she has done.
It was then that I got the idea to get their favorite treats: Wheat Thins. I opened the door to go back inside to fetch them, and all the dogs came running in after me. When I tried to lure them back outside, only one at a time would follow me, darting out onto the porch, but then running back inside, hoping I'd follow them so they could eat their treats inside the house. Back and forth, back and forth we went, trying to convince each other that inside or outside was better, and I finally gave up and decided to just take each of their photos as they'd come to the door.
Mind you, with each photo I'd have to dole out a Wheat Thin, and then the next pooch would take their place…
Next.
Next.
(She would die of embarrassment if she knew her face was that dirty.)
The sun was quite bright on one spot of the porch…
If you haven't already gotten the Boris chart, I'd like to give one away! I'll also include a couple of treats for your pooch! Just leave a comment IN THIS POST, and I'll announce a winner on Saturday.
In the mean time, I'm going to go photograph the quiet pumpkins.
111 Comments
Amy
LOL Paulette, I’d love to come & visit your family for a few days – I think it would be more fun than Disney World! 🙂
heather mac kenzie
I would love a chance to win and so would Sam the schnauzer
Margaret
lol! Those pooches keep you on your toes! I’d love to win a copy of Boris! I haven’t gotten to my LNS yet, but I want to get both Olga and Boris for sure!
KarenV
I would love the chance to win Boris please. I don’t have a pooch though, just two adorable kitties 🙂
Virpi
I would like to participate too but we can’t keep animals because of allergies in the family. I dream of a dog that manages outdoors (siberian husky for example) but so far that’s just a dream…
Cari
Love the pics Paulette !! ….love Boris and Olga too !! Have a great week !
Jill F
Thanks for the giveaway! I love Boris and Olga, too. We have a black lab and only have a very few pictures of him. I was trying out a new zoom on my camera one day and accidentally got a very private shot of him that makes us all laugh! Probably the best shot we have of the dog and he’s squatting!
Sherry
I would love a chance to win. I love your dogs. We also have three: two westies and one mix (golden retriever and shepherd). They make me laugh and keep me young.
Lynne Herzberg
Thank you for a chance to rec’v one of your designs. Believe it or not my Shelties favorite treat is canned green beans ! The vet told me to add them to her food so she wouldn’t tell me she was starving when I had to put her on a diet. Now she does a little dance any time I get the can opener out.
Nancy Dwinell
I love Boris!I He’s on my list for whenever I can get to the needlework shop. We don’t have a dog *sigh* two cats who think they’re people- a very long story there!- but my next door neighbor has two malti-poos who would love a treat! Please enter me- Nancy D. in NY hedghogmom@aol.com
Marion
I’d love a chance to win Boris!! It is on my wish list for my LNS….
Thank you for the chance!!
Marion
darlene north
Hey Paulette
You not only have a great human family but a furry one as well I love those dogs!!!
have a good one and I would love to have a chance to win a pattern of yours
Darlene
Cari
You have infinite patience – I think I would have given up on taking their photos way before you did, lol. I would L-O-V-E to win Boris! I have a sweet cat named Smokie but, sadly, no dog to call my own. I love on everyone else’s dog whenever I get the chance.
thanks for the opportunity to win this great chart!
Pat Matejcek
Paula
I would love to be entered in your giveaway.
I needed a laugh today. Your posts are so funny!! I must tell you I work for Bath and Body Works and you must try the mint choc chip candle it is awesome!! I saw you tryed the caramel in another post. The creamy pumpkin is also good. Henry Slakin did good this season. Thanks Pat
Kim
Love it! Great pics girlfriend! You crack me up…(She would die of embarrassment if she knew her face was that dirty.) LOLOL I would love to win Boris! It’s a definite stitch for me…it would hang with the Jim Shore cats in the quilt den!
Catherine
How cute they look – although, yes, she should be embarrassed that she allowed her photo to be taken with such a dirty face! Great shots – it’s not easy taking shots of animals – especially when you have more than one.
I’d love win Boris! And I would glady share any doggie treats with my neighbor’s dog as we are currently dogless.
Julie Cowdin
I think I’ll send you my 3 Old English Sheepdogs for a photo shoot & I can stitch away on Boris while they’re gone!!
Julie
Peggy Lee
I would love a chance to win Boris but I don’t have any poochies. I live vicariously through my blogging friends who have them….like YOU! You have THREE of them?? OH good grief how on earth do you do it?
Melissa
I love your photographs! There’s always such life in them. I would love to be entered to win Boris.
Thanks!
Melissa
Ralee
My son, the vet student, says that little dogs have a Napoleon complex. Your story proves that. Also is proof of why I have a cat.
connie
I love all your pictures. We only have one dog. We rescued her several years ago. Part Lab/ part Beagle. The Lab wants to be good but the Beagle won’t let her. I would love a chance at Boris. He is to cute. Thanks!!
Patty
Count me in for the giveaway
I have two mini schnauzers – I feel your pain lol
diane allyn
at least yours come when called!!! Last nite I let Abbie & Carmella (who is 100 yrs old) out and Abbie spots a cat and off she goes………Carmella wants to chase also but can hardly walk so she stumbles along and runs to the ditch across the street! Why can’t they just pee and come in???? Love the pics and you better wash the little one’s face next time or she will leave a present to get even :O Would love to have Boris, he probably behaves better!
jillbinmd
A giveaway!? Woot! Man I wish my fiance and I could have a dog or two but we rent our house and pets are a no-no…….
Joanie
I’d love a copy of Boris! And my Daisy would love at treat or 2! Count me in!!
Kim Lewis
Lovely pics, in spite of lack of doggy cooperation! We have a new black kitten, named Spike, that we are going to try to get to pose next to a pumpkin for Halloween, but I don’t have much hope of success. I’m sure his 4 kitty companions will mock him openly. I would love to win Boris, especially as I’m in the process of stitching his kitty companion, Olga. Your photos are always so wonderful, even when the subjects don’t cooperate!
LauraG
If I win, I’ll stitch Boris for my 10 y.o. son. Thanks for the chance to win one of you designs!
Sadie
The dogs are adorable. I am not sure that I would have your patience in the doggie photo taking department 🙂 I would love to be entered into your giveaway draw. Boris is so cute. We don’t own a dog but we do have a cat who thinks he is a dog 🙂 Thanks for the chance
Sandy
I love your blog and check in often. Count me in on your give-a-way, would love to have Boris. No dogs though only cats. Have a great day.
Sandy
DJ
I love your holiday decorations, I’m sure your Mom would be proud! I’m chuckling at your description of trying to get pictures of all four of your four legged friends! I only have one cat and I can’t get him to behave on his own! I would love a copy of Boris (and I can always feed the treats to DH! He’ll eat anything LOL *wink*)
Laurie in Iowa
Emma and Owen demanded that I leave a comment. They’re all about the ‘treats’. I’d love to be the winner of the ‘Boris’ chart.
Kat
I’d love a chance to win Boris! I could go for a Wheat Thin, too, now that I think about it. I don’t have a dog, but I do have 2 kittens named Mischief and Mayhem. They certainly have lived up to their names!
Thanks!
~Kat
Myra
I think dogs are one of the toughest subjects to photograph. Just getting one to sit still is an accomplishment, I can’t imagine trying to get all three together in a picture. I would love to own Boris – please enter me in your drawing and thank you so much for offering it.
Jessica
Oh how funny! Our pooches would do the same thing…but I have the added trouble taking pictures of them because they are both black! I tried to take pictures of them romping in the bright snow once and the photos just looked like dog-shaped black holes. 🙂 I’d also love to be entered for Boris, thank you for the generous giveaway!
Sandye
If you want a dog that REALLY won’t do anything you say, try a daschund – don’t ask me how I know this! Actually I have the most beautiful grand-doxies in the world; somehow I raised a daughter with enough willpower to make dogs behave – and I bet you did too!
Thanks for a chance to win.
Nina
I love dogs! Yours are so beautiful! 🙂
Paulette, I really enjoy visiting and reading your bog, always!
Please count me in, thank you!
Kind regards,
Nina
from Hungary
Patti Gagliardi
Please enter me and Orion in your sweet giveaway. Orion is our first ever dog ~ a 6 year old miniature dachshund rescue who was willing to let us adopt him 2 months ago. The bestest dog in the world – how did we ever live without him?!
Blessings, Patti
Patti
I have enough trouble managing to get one to do what I want let alone three at once! Thanks for the laugh. And I would love to be included in the drawing for Boris please. Thanks for your generousity.
Kristen from MA
Awww, sweet pooches! I’d love to have Boris, as he’s on my wishlist!
Valerie
Great photos despite the drama in getting them! I’d love a chance at Boris. I don’t have a dog but I am dying to get one! Sadly, I have a no dog lease where I live. It’s be nice t have a stitched doggie in the meantime…
Nancy
I want to give all three a hug! They are so cute!
I would also love a chance to win a copy of Boris! I have cats, so maybe, depending on what the treat is, my husband could eat it!
marjorie
lol dogs. They don’t listen any better than kids do. Anyway I would love a copy of Boris. I’m making Olga for DD’s birthday and I’m sure DS will feel left out so…
elugo
The pictures of the dogs are ADORABLE! I only have one but it is hard to get him to keep still! Please include me in the giveaway.
Tina S.
I’d love to own the Boris chart! With no LNS I depend on the internet for everything. We don’t have dogs right now–allergic–but my Mom is getting ready to get a German shepherd. We’re all excited!!!
joann tx
I don’t think the quiet pumpkins would be as exciting as Friday, Tasha and Missy! LOL!
sigh…by dogs have to eat hypo-allergetic treats, but boris would be welcome in my home! 🙂
LLLLLY!!!
Teresa S
Your dogs are too cute and so is Boris! Please include me in your drawing!
Beth Normandin
What a great story! Your pets are adorable. I would love to own Boris. I had so much fun stitching Olga andshe seems a little lonley. Thank You, Beth N. (stormybrew57@aol.com)
Suzie
Please include me in your giveaway. I already have Olga and would love to have Boris.
Thank you!
Suzie
Spring Robin
Your doggies are adorable, but spoiled rotten, just like mine! I would love to win Boris, and my dogs, Chester and Brandy would love a treat! Thanks for the opportunity to win the goodies!
edgar mathews
I am loving this post and would love a copy of Boris!! My hounds would love a treat also – thx!!
Cassi
I would LOVE to win Boris! I’m getting all the supplies together now to stitch the “Halloween Greetings” ornament. I love love love stitching for Halloween. I have 5 spoiled dogs(pug,corgi mix,rotti,hound, and a pekingese who thinks she is a princess and that people only come over to see her!) Your blog is great and inspiring!!
Sylvia Stecker
I would love to have Boris, and Mia & Max would love some treats.
Linda Huson
I would love to have the Boris chart! And also – thank you so much for giving me some hysterical laughter today – which I needed after working, then going to the bank and then going grocery shopping!! Where I depleted most of the money I just put in the bank – ha!
Linda in VA
Courtney
I would love a chance to win!! I just got a puppy Scottish terrier to keep my mini schnauzer company…here is Ruby: http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs407.snc4/47003_870385373788_21700392_46659546_2918306_n.jpg
Kimberly Hart
I’d love to be included in the Boris drawing! My Jack Russells are already drooling at the possibility of a treat coming their way! (BTW- trying to photograph JRTs together is like herding cats! Just does not happen!!)
Jill
I would love to stitch Boris! Regarding pets, I have a dog, cat, and a rat . . . 🙂
jill_sandberg@yahoo.com
Theresa
Awwww~~~ They are so adorable!!! I love reading your post!! It makes me smile everytime!!!!
Thanks for the opportunity of having Boris~
Ginny Smith
LOL on all the fur kids antics! That sounds so like something that my 3 fur kid kitties would do to vie for our attention. 🙂 And our fur kids just adore wheat thins as well as treats.
Hope your having a fabulous fall day. 🙂
Tracy
Me, me, me!!! Pick me. We’re friends, remember? And Helen says she will be good if she can have just one treat. Love you!!!
valeri vejrostek
Hah – QUIET pumpkins are good ! Although , after the morning I have had with 2 – 2 1/2 year olds , I could be REALLY quiet myself . I feel the need for some stitch time – alone !
Your pups are beautiful ! I’d add a pic here of Miss Scarlett , but I don’t think I can ? Poor baby , she came in last night with a bee stuck to her tail – and stinging !
Abi
I’d love a copy! I don’t have pets, but my babies love Wheat Thins dipped in hummus. 🙂
Cindi
I loved the photos of your babies. I have 6 Cocker Spaniels and know the trials and errors of trying to take a group photo. Please add me to your contest.
Julie T.
The dogs are adorable! And come in all sizes, too. Of course they want to come in. That’s where you are!
Boris, someone said Boris? Count me in. Thanks, Paulette!
missy w
I would love a chance to win and so would Little Richard…arf arf!!
Thanks for the fun contest.
Leigh D.
I’d love to win a copy of Boris. Grant you I have no pooch to give treats too, but yours sure looked like they enjoyed theirs.
Melissa
I am in love with your dogs!!! I know the “fun” of trying to get photos of animals. My blind Pekignese is the easiest to photograph because she can’t see when I have the camera. I sneak up on her when she is being cute and snap away. My other dog, peke/spaniel mix, is another story. I have loads of photos of the back of her head as she turns her head right as I snap the photo or of her nose/tounge as she runs up and licks the camera. The cats are near impossible to photograph well. They seem to like to clean their naughty parts as soon as I click the camera. No one wants to see that.
Deborah
I justed loved this post! The dogs are great. The little Yorkie is too cute! I would love to be entered in the giveaway. I have done Olga and she framed and waiting for Boris. My Sammi wouldn’t mind a treat.
Sylvia Shenk
I would love a copy of Boris. My Yorkies would love the dog treats
Megan Chamberlain
I love the doggies, I was laughing as I read your blog, it must have looked so funny. How come they never want to do what you want them to do. Please enter me in your giveaway.
Ruth Silva
Happy Fall! Boris looks like a morphology of 2 favorite doggies I have loved. (my kitties would eat the treats!)
Stephanie
Oh, I can SOOO sympathize with you. I tried taking a photo of my TWO dogs one day. I was so sweated up by the time we were done but it was worth it! I got a great photo and made a pictorial hooked rug from it.
Carol
I love reading about Friday, Missy, and Tasha! They certainly keep you on your toes, don’t they? I’d love a chance at winning Boris–thanks so much 🙂
michele
such fun trying to take pictures of animals .. almost as fun as trying to take pictures of my family! lol I did so enjoy your story though .. just wish I’d had some Wheat Thins 🙂
I would love to own a copy of Boris 🙂
Karen Farley
I would LOVE a copy of Boris!!! I have 6 English Bulldogs that are my kids. They all sit with me when I stitch. Happy Halloween.
Christie
Paulette,
That is just too funny about the dogs. I have a Germ. Shep. and everytime I try and take her picture, I get the shot lined up and ready and all the sudden she is in my face nose on the camera. It is one of those “Mom are you in there?” moments. Christie
Alice
Love your pooches, Paulette. Please enter my name in the drawing for Boris
Patricia Lindsay
I would love the chance to win the Boris chart! I already purchased Olga and she would be so lonely without her buddy Boris ; )
My mini-schnauzer Reggie wishes he could come and play with Friday, Missy and Tasha!
~Patti
dq
I am DYING for the Boris chart to match Bella pick me Sophie!!!!
Vanessa
I would love to chance to win Boris. We have three cats, much to my husband’s chagrin, and an old, shaggy, smelly miniature schnauzer who channels satan on a regular basis. Your doggies are adorable, but the big guy really looks like a loving old soul.
Blu
Great pictures of the furry side of your family!
Count me in for the giveaway!
Pauline
I’d love to win Boris! And my Jack would love treats, he wouldn’t even taste a couple though- they’d slide right down with out him even chewing!
Karen H.
Love the dog story.. sort of like herding cats!! Thanks for the give away. I would love to be included.
Karen
Ellen
I sure would love a chance to win Boris, thank you.
Hugs,
Karen Herndon (klmvangard)
Pumpkins are MUCH easier to photograph, lol. If you really want to have fun, try taking pics of pure black dogs on a sunny day in snow. SMART, pure, black dogs. Was a nightmare…
Anyway, thanks for doing the giveaway! I would be thrilled to win Boris!
Karen H.
Lisa V
Ooo, I would love a chance to win Boris, pls enter me in your draw.
I think the pumpkins will be alot more calm and peaceful to photograph too, good luck!
LISA V
Cathy DeCaria
Your dogs are so cute! Belle my pomeranian would love to play with them. I love both Olga and Boris. Would love to win a pattern!
Cindy
Love the pics. Sounds like my adventures with 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 daughters. I would love to win Boris.
Reba Scott
Oh man!! How cute! I can’t organize my pooches either. One of them is a Golden too!! His name is Owain.
jennifer
I love all of your photos, but especially the one of Friday and his old doggie grey on his sweet face. It reminds me of my own older doggie and how sweet she is! Please enter me in your wonderful Boris giveaway. Since I haven’t won a chart in a very, very, very looooong time, please let the universe shine on me! Treats would be welcome, too. 🙂
Margaret
Love the photos – love the pooches – but hang on….where is Mike LOL. Please enter me in the draw, I think my dog would love you forever if she got a treat 🙂
april taylor
They are all so cute !!! I would love to be entered in your Boris Giveaway ~~~
Siobhan
Your pups are too adorable! I love their little bandanas. Duffy hates wearing his, but will tolerate his yellow rain slicker. LOL I’d love to win the giveaway!
Allyson
Oh, Paulette, I can just see the scene. I have two westies and I can never get them looking in the same direction, let alone manage three of them! The phot´s look great, though. I´d love a copy of Boris.
Betty
Haha Paulette, after all these troubles you’ve been through to make pictures of your little hairy monsters, you just decided to give another doggie away?
Cindy Hawkins
Paulette, I love your dog story! My household is similar, 1 dog Lucy, 3 cats, plus a neighbor cat that thinks he lives here…needless to say, Lucy thinks she’s a cat because she doesn’t know any better! I would love to win your adorable chart!
Lynn
OMG that was too funny as I read your escapade! Thanks for brightening my day. The photos are awesome despite your problems.
Please include me in your giveaway. Thanks!
Penny Cranek
Love your work Paulette and so does my beagle Molly…She’s crossing her paws:)
Joy Crocker
Count me in. My Fletch and Daisy loved the pics (I have yorkee’s also). Love your blog and your work. 🙂
Karri
Still time to be entered for the drawing? I’d love to win! Fabulous pet pics!!
Debra Scott
me, me, pick me!!!! Debra
Jolene Sorenson
Your sweetheart doggies are too cute for words!! You are an amazing photographer and designer. I would LOVE, LoVe, love, lOvE to win “Boris”!!!! I have been patiently waiting for his releae, he is a “must do” for me. Smiles…
Denise Crawford
I have Olga and would LOVE to win Boris. I was owned by a cat (Mr. Kitty) until two years ago when he passed away, and now I’m owned by my dachshund, Andrew.
I plan to stitch both and hang them together somewhere in my house. As soon as I saw Olga, I knew I had to have her and it’s the same for Boris.
Your blog is always so fun to read. Thank you for such great designs. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.
Have a great weekend!!
Denise Crawford
Pearl River, Louisiana
Holly P
Boris would be a great addition to my clan of a mini doxie, a chow-chow mix, and a keeshond who really thinks he is a 60lb doxie! I think Boris would be a nice quiet addition, don’t you????
Amy F.
I would love to win BORIS!!!
Thank you so much for the fun!
Amy
Ginger Edwards
Since I’ve started stitching Olga – I think she needs a companion! I would love to win a Boris! Completely loved your Fall table top display and have sent my elves off to HL to look for stuff for me!!!!
Clare
Would love a chance to win Boris.
Clare
Delfi
Love the pooches! It makes me miss my Tessa, who I had to put down this past March after 17 wonderful years of companionship.
Kristine
I loved your post on your silly dogs! Since Olga is my first project in the cross-stitch arena, I really think that a friend named Boris would make it more delightful! Cooper (part labrador, part giraffe) sure wonders what kinds of snacks your dogs like, because he loves wheat thins, too!
Robin Shappell
Those faces are just so darn cute! You have some beautiful fur-babies! Please add me to the list for Boris. I would love to welcome him into my home. He can keep Olga company! What a great giveaway!
Cindy
I would love a chance to win Boris. Your little dogs remind me of the antics of the two Bichon’s we had.
Cindy
Diana
I haven’t purchased the Boris chart yet and would love to win one! I also have recently adopted a dog(Max) from a rescue center and I’m sure he would enjoy the dog treats.