Animals We Love

It started out innocently enough. I wanted a friend, and an exercise companion. The next thing I know, I’m willing to pay for anything his little twenty pound furry body desired from the local pet store and I’m allowing him to snore loudly with his black wrinkly pug face on my husband’s pillow. People who love their pets this much scrap about them! Ignore the taunting of your husband that your cat can’t read, and take time to add scruffy, fluffy, or your little fishy to your scrapbook. Our relationship with our pets defines who we are, what we value, and how we live. Plus, Purrrrfect pet pictures are priceless. Here is how and why to make some of your own:

• Figure out how your pet feels about your camera (particularly the flash), and work with it. You might need to take pictures in natural light if your pet is too frightened. However, your ferret just might surprise you and be a little ham.


• Close ups of your pet are priceless! Fill the frame with that adorable furry face! Remember to get down to your pet’s level to get a good close up.


• Be sure to capture the details of your pet, whatever you love about him/her. This includes pictures of paws, ears, tails, wrinkles, etc.

• Get your pet in his natural setting, doing the things he does best--eating, sleeping, playing with toys, or playing with other animals. Note—pets on pillows always make for good pictures.


• Take pictures of your pet outdoors, either lying in the sun, exploring, or frolicking in the backyard. see example #1


• Be sure to get your family members in the pictures with your pet. It is important to document each person’s relationship and attachment to the animal. see example #2


• Take lots of pictures of your subject, since pets are somewhat unpredictable. To help your pet hold a pose, say the pet’s name or mention something they have an interest in (food, toys, people, etc.)


• Use contrasting colors to make your pet “pop” off the background. My pug is mostly fawn in color, and shows up well against primary colors like red or green. A black lab would look good against a cream pillow or blanket. If you already have taken the picture of your pet and it is a close up, you can mat in on a contrasting color. see example 3

Perhaps your favorite canine or feline isn’t featured in your scrapbook because you are at a loss for words. Help keep the cat away from your tongue by journaling about your relationship to your pet. Is there a routine that your pet adheres to that you also follow? Is there something quirky about your pet, some idiosyncrasy that only you know about? Do you have nicknames for your pet, or an interesting story behind why you choose your pet’s name? How did you acquire your pet? How did everyone in the family feel about it, including the other animals? What are the joys and pains of pet ownership? What do our pets teach us, either simple or complex about day to day life? Do you have pictures of a beloved animal that has passed on; if so create a memorial page to your pet, commemorating his life and what he meant to you. Any of the above would be great to starts to a theme album about your pet.

Still looking for some journaling that’s doggone cute? Try some quotes, which incidentally also make great titles. Here is a sampling of what can be found on the web:

All dogs go to heaven
Man’s best friend
Bad to the bone
Dog days of summer
Let sleeping dogs lie
No bonz about it
Every dog has his day
A boy/girl and his/her dog
Puppy Love
The truth about cats and dogs
Paw prints on my heart
Dogs/cats/other and the women/men who love them
Dog years
My cat’s purrfect
The cat’s got Purrsonality
As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat—unknown
Dogs have owners, cats have staff—unknown
Purrfectly Adorable
Furry Friends
CATastrophe
Cat-ti-tude
Home is where your pet is
Love me, love my animal
It’s a dog/cat’s life
In the dog house

Which embellishments are the cat’s meow for your pet pages? Check out the pet stickers by Phrase café, Rebecca Sowers pet paw shaker boxes, or Magenta’s metal pet plaques. Fibers are a natural with pet pages. Use them to re-create that ball of twine your cat plays with, or to string a metal dog tag like a collar. There are numerous sources to obtain pet-themed button assortments, stickers, charms, and die-cuts. Be creative, see what original touches you can add using your pet or your journaling as inspiration. After all, the cold weather is coming and a scrapper could use a warm (often snoring) companion while she crops on those chilly winter nights. Here’s hoping that your furry and not-so furry pals inspire you this month to create a masterpiece fit for man’s best friend.

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