2016 is upon us and it is Eva’s turn to do the weekly photos.  She is likely looking forward to the project – as the camera and it’s associated dog treats really get her excited.  For the first month of the project – overhead views, a historic bridge, intense eye contact, vintage star wars action figures, and random yelling.

The Brit is Back

Week 1 “the Brit is back” is a simple portrait from above.  I love this point of view for photographing the pups as we have so much time with them looking up for us that it really is a comfortable photo – even if the view is a bit atypical.  It came with a dogversation …

Dave: Hi Eva, ready for your first 52 week shot of 2016?
Eva: Darn tooting I’m ready. Been waiting a full year for this but that usurper kept stealing my spotlight.
Dave: By usurper can I assume you mean Bruno?
Eva: Yes. And by spotlight you can assume I mean Shreddies.
Dave: I figured that one out for myself. And you did have a 12 months project last year, which also came with a lot of Shreddies.
Eva: Although your point is valid, I am going to choose to ignore it.
Dave: Somehow that’s more validation than I expected.
Eva: I’m glad you upped the ante for this year’s project.
Dave: What do you mean?
Eva: Changing from Shreddies to the whole pile of heart shaped yoghurt dipped organic cookies that Santa brought for Bruno and I.
Dave: Only one of those is for you today. The rest of the pile is more of a photo prop, and half of them belong to Bruno anyway. And he happens to be watching us do this photo through his kennel so I think he would be pretty upset if you ate the whole pile.
Eva: What the usurper won’t remember won’t hurt him. Now lets move on with the photo so I can move on with the cookies.

The Old Traffic Bridge

Week 2 “the old traffic bridge” was taken one day before planned demolition on the old traffic bridge.  I wanted to get a few more photos of one of my favorite bridges, and she was happy to come along for the ride.  Even if it was a bit chilly.

Dave: Hey Eva, You’re being mighty quiet today.
Eva: Hard to have a conversation when your tush is freezing.
Dave: But I even put on your coat before we came out for walk by the old traffic bridge.
Eva: In case you haven’t noticed, it’s -20c and I have very short hair. Although I have the metabolism of a humming bird, you stopped to take a photo and now that we’re standing still it is colder than Hoth out here.
Dave: Oh. We’ll get moving again really soon.
Eva: Okay. Because for some reason people make these dog coats so they don’t do a proper job covering a tushie.
Dave: I think that has something to do with not covering you up completely so you can still go to the bathroom during a walk.
Eva: Either way, it’ super cold here. Has me looking for a Tauntaun to slice open with a lightsaber and climb inside of.

Eye Contact

Week 3 “eye contact” was a simple portrait in her favorite spot in the house – right in the middle of the chaise lounge chair in the living room.

Dave: Hi Eva. How’s it going this morning.?
Eva: I missed you.
Dave: I missed you too, but I had to go away for a few days for work.
Eva: But you don’t understand – when you go away, you’re not here.
Dave: I do think that is implied with the going away thing.
Eva: Well, I missed stalking you.
Dave: So now you’re just going to maintain super intense eye contact and follow me from room to room.
Eva: Pretty much. With one exception.
Dave: What’s that exception?
Eva: Until I fall asleep. I feel a second nap of the day coming on.

I Have a Bad Feeling About This

Week 4 “I have a bad feeling about this” broke out the vintage star wars action figures from my childhood – the original Star Wars action figures.  I learned a few things about while taking this week’s photo.
(1) Although she was a terror with toys as a pup, she is a total pansy now running for the hills when she knocked Han Solo over.
(2) While they are still super cool – my vintage star wars Episode IV action figures from the 70’s are not what one would call accurate. Blue eyes on Chewbacca? And does this guy look at all like Harrison ford?
(3) I think Han Solo had a leg length discrepancy as this character kept falling over, necessitating taping him down to a coaster.
(4) The language of wookies is Shryiiwook, and Shryiiwook for “I have a bad feeling about this” is “Roooarrgh ur roo”. Ref: <a href=”http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Shyriiwook” rel=”nofollow”>starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Shyriiwook</a>

And this week the conversation was between Han and Chewie…

Han: I’ve got a bad feeling about this?
Chewie: Graaah-waah?
Han: No, not a trash compactor this time.
Chewie: Rooagh-gra?
Han: Nope. Worse than Jabba.
Chewie: Grraaaaaaaah-grrrrl?
Han: Not the hyperdrive motivator. Although it does come with a hyperdrive.
Chewie: Grrrunk?
Han: Worse. Giant Brittany Spaniel.
Chewie: Roooarrgh ur roo
Han: Than’s what I said

Food Goes in Here

Week 5 “food goes in here” is officially my favorite shot of the project to date.  Caught her in mid conversation as she was mumble barking to ask me for a cookie.  She really is a talker and I think this captures that part of her personality.

Eva: Hey Dave, Want to do a science experiment?
Dave: First I need to know what the experiment is.
Eva: Well, you put a Shreddie on my tongue and we’ll find out what happens.
Dave: I have a feeling that you’ll eat it.
Eva: That is a likely hypothesis. But we never will know until we do the experiment.
Dave: Sounds reasonable to me.
—— insert an unreasonable amount of chewing and lip smacking while eating a single piece of breakfast cereal —–
Eva: I guess you were right. Looks like I ate it.
Dave: I had a feeling about that.
Eva: Can we repeat the experiment?
Dave: I thought we already proved my hypothesis.
Eva: Not quite. We now have evidence to support your hypothesis with a low sample size. Need to increase the sample size. After all, in science results are only valid if they are repeatable.