Worldly Winnie

This is a story about an amazingly gifted pet photographer named Grace Chon.

A few years ago I met Grace. She turned out to live up to her name and then some. Ever since she handed me her card with a little Boston Terrier face on it, I've been stalking her and her website: www.shinepetphotos.com

Did you go to the site yet? Do yourself a favor and check it out.

After Sadie and Quincy passed, I lost track of Grace until fate brought us together again while we were freelancing at the same company. Quincy had passed away a week before and I wasn't doing so well. In a daze I passed by one of the art director’s giant computer monitors and stopped short.

“Is that your Boston?” I squealed (I make weird noises when it comes to BTs).

“It’s Rose McGowan’s, I shot for a magazine,” the sweet art director smiled.

“Grace?”

“Simone?”

We hugged, and Grace got stuck listening to me talk about how much I missed my dogs. Her compassionate heart is beyond words. So loving.

Earlier this year when Peter and I adopted Winnie, I made a promise to have Grace take photos. I refused to miss out on the opportunity again. Turns out Winnie is a wonderful model. But the real kudos goes to Grace Chon and her incredible God-given gift. She captures the very essence of an animal's soul. It’s no wonder her photography graces so many magazines and homes.

A sampling of Miss Winnie Woo, interpreted by Grace Chon...
(there are so many stunning photos it's hard to make selects)

She's like the dog whisperer, only better:

She will go to any length to get the shot:

The experience was wonderful.

If you have a pet you love dearly, contact Grace. She will make sure you have something to hold and cherish forever.

Contact info: http://www.shinepetphotos.com/contact.html

Also, I'd like to note that Grace does a ton of work for rescues. Her photography has saved the lives of many abandoned dogs and cats.


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Wonderous Winnie

I wrote this article for one of my favorite websites (http://bostonterriersrock.blogspot.com/), and wanted it to share it with you.


The epitome of grace

Boston Terriers have been captivating my heart since the mid 90s. I find them to be the most amazing creatures. Maybe it’s their wide jackal-like smiles, or their overly expressive eyes, or perhaps I’m fond of their quirky personalities, or their ability to do hilariously fearless acts. You get the point. I love Boston Terriers.

I had two Bostons for many years and they provided me with endless entertainment, unconditional love and tenderness. In 2008 I had to put my 11-year old Sadie down, and my heart broke into a million pieces. A year later I had to send off her 14-year old brother, Quincy. What was left of my soul evaporated, and I swore off dogs.

After year of grieving and healing, I was finally able to consider getting another dog, so I started doing research. I was hoping to rescue a Boston, but it seemed nearly impossible. The good thing is they’re so popular they get rescued quickly. I started talking to a breeder in Redding who would have puppies soon, but I had my heart set on getting a rescue.

I figured it wasn’t meant to be. A week later she emailed about a friend who was looking for a home for a 3-year old female. She forwarded me to JeanE's Boston Terriers (www.thewholedog.org). I perused the website and knew I was in the right place. How could I pass up anyone with a tagline that says: Naturally Reared For Health & Beauty since 1984. Also, the pictures were perfection.

Jeannie and I emailed for about month, she was extremely diligent in her screening process, wanting to ensure her dog would be going to a safe and healthy home. When she told me about the raw food diet I backed away. How could a vegan handle raw meat? But something kept bringing us back to each other. In the end, I decided raw meat couldn’t compete with a Boston Terrier’s love. When I received the photo of little Winnie wearing her “Good Citizens” ribbon, my heart grew fifteen sizes. It was love at first site.

We drove 6 hours from Los Angeles to Redding to pick up Winnie. After getting lost on the winding country roads, we finally found the location. I jumped out of the car and sprint-walked up to the house. From the porch a little black and white blur darted full-speed ahead right toward me, smiling ear to ear. Somehow this special little gal knew we would be together.

Winnie’s been in our home four months and every day gets better. She has taught me how to open my heart again. Her love is like the bright sun, lighting up our home and bringing so much laughter and joy. She is quite the character with a personality so huge, I started a website devoted to the adventures of Winnie.

I made a promise to only get future Bostons from Jeannie because Winnie is the most well-behaved, well-mannered, gentle, tender, intelligent, sweet, obedient, healthy and charming little dog I’ve ever come across. Jeannie’s website says they are dedicated to “producing healthy, sound dogs that are teachers, soulmates, bringers of daily joy, and dearest of companions.” And the proof is in the pudding, or rather, in Winnie.

Wrangling Winnie (and friends)

I highly recommend watching this video. Only if you want to find ultimate happiness though...

Winnie's Wuthering Week

First there was Winnie:

Then there was Kirby and Winnie:

Then there was Major, Winnie and Kirby:

It's true what they say - don't feed them after midnight and no water. These suckers multiply!

Winnie is having the time of her wonderful life, hanging out with her buddies.

Stay tuned for a video of the "Boston Terrorist Attack" that took place over the weekend.

Weary Winnie

The other night I took Winnie for a 2-mile run after work. I won't be doing that anytime soon. I have enough trouble running by myself, let alone dragging a 15-pound weight. She's really more of a short distance sprinter and she hauls ass. When food is involved, she's lightening fast.

Running for a longer period of time is not her thing. She had trouble keeping up and trust me, I wasn't going that fast. We were such a sight that a homeless dude asked incredulously what I was doing to my dog. Poor Winnie.

Today she went to the park with her pug friend, Roddy, and they wore each other out. After darting around with her buddy, she crouched down low to the ground like an army dude and rubbed her belly onto the cool grass, then plunked down in the shade. Winnie plays hard and rests even harder...

Winnie and Roddy

These are not my dogs, but this is amazing...

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2130433024372&oid=2204767687

Winnie in the Wilderness

We took Winnie out to Hurkey Creek, near Idyllwild, this past weekend. She had a ball getting filthy and running freely around the camp grounds.

During our hike if she got too hot, she would take a break in the shade:

When we stopped at the creek, she pounced into the water and sank her little body into the refreshly cool mud:

And just when we thought she had enough, she went back in to do this:


Man, we love this dog. She is endless entertainment and boundless love.

Worn out Winnie

Oh my heavens. This dog cracks me up. She snores louder than any human, and just doesn't give a shit.

Weird Winnie

Apparently the concept of the Potty Patch is lost on our little Winnie Woo. I think I might have to buy a few more of these so she has the option to sunbathe AND pee. Poor dear is used to a giant back yard in the rolling hills of Redding. Now she's down in Los Angeles, learning her way around the city of dreams, smog and cement. Bless her little Boston Terrier heart. She sure is a funny gal.

Winnie is the Woman

A friend of mine took these fabulous shots while I was enduring a painful discussion about something related to work... I just can't get over her perfectly square head and those big sad eyes, and of course those lips!

My model:

Winnie's Weekend

Our first weekend together and Winnie had a fabulous time. Had little to do with us and everything to do with her new best buddy, Major, the 9-month old beautiful Boston Terrier playing with her in the video below.




It took all day, but they finally wore each other out. Look at the love between these two little jackals. Bostons really do have the most amazing personalities. Almost as though they're little people in tiny tuxedos. Actually, they're better than people. And that is why Bostons rule.

Wonderful Winnie

So far the adjustment for Winnie has been a smooth transition. We love her so much and she is loving us right back with even more hutzpah. Leave it to a Boston to one up everyone.

Things Winnie loves:
- snuggling as close as possible
- snoring really loudly
- lots of healthy raw meat
- walks (her once pristine country paws are now dingy from the city)
- sleeping in her doggie bed by my feet at work
- riding in the car
- fuzzy toys
- tug of war

Things Winnie doesn't love:
- being alone at my desk for even 1 minute
- hip hop music
- rain

Look at that little face:

A rough day at the office, what with all of the naps and constant attention:

We're so grateful to have Winnikins in our life. She is a treasure.

Winnie's World is About to Change

We're picking up our new Boston Terrier, Winnie, this Saturday. She's a 3-year old BT who was looking for a forever home. Looks like we're it!

Here she is proudly sporting her "Good Canine Citizen" ribbon:

In Memory of Quincy & Sadie

My first Boston Terriers were Quincy and Sadie. They were the loves of my life. Sadie got sick during her 9th year, and due to a congenital spinal disorder she lost movement in her back legs. I carted her around in a stroller, did acupuncture, gave her special medication and kept her going for almost 2 more years. I was never going to be ready to let her go. But when I finally lifted the veil of denial I saw she was not comfortable anymore. I had to make the horrible decision to put her down.

The day before Thanksgiving 2008, I howled to the heavens, praying for comfort. In that desolately peaceful moment when Sadie passed, I felt my soul lift up with her. Letting go was so difficult. But I had to stay present for her older brother, Quincy. That day I saw her face in the clouds, looking down - as if letting me know she will always be watching over me. My little guy, Quincy, stayed loyally by my side for another 14 months until his kidneys got really bad. In complete and utter defeat, I had to put him down on Valentine's Day 2010.

I promised to give myself a year before I would even consider another dog. Fortunately where I was working at the time, they allowed dogs at the office. And there "coincidentally" happened to be FIVE people with Boston Terriers... All of the wonderful owners and doggies helped my heart heal as I mourned the loss of my Bostons.

In January 2011, one of my colleague's had a puppy named Major, and I swear he is Quincy reincarnated. Naturally, I fell in love. My heart was full again. I knew it was time to start looking for another Boston, and so a mellow search began. Through Major's contacts, I found a woman up in Redding, CA who had a 3-year old female available. After about 5 weeks of email exchanges and screenings, she decided to let me be Winnie's forever mommy.

I'm looking forward to this new chapter in my life, and promise to shower my new Winnie with so much love. Thank you, Sadie and Quincy, for showing me how to open my heart and let love in, and more importantly - how to share love freely.

Here they are at Runyon Canyon, Los Angeles 2006:

Quincy April 28, 1996 - February 14, 2010
Sadie May 1, 1998 - November 26, 2008