May 10
While my parents and Nick were in town last week, we went to see the progress being made on the new house — and things are progressing and moving forward. We should have our pre-drywall meeting in a few weeks! Below are a few photographs of Biscuit and Nick enjoying themselves on a beautiful day! Nick even posed on a Caterpillar tractor machine! Biscuit and Nick both had a good time together perusing the construction grounds!
Happy Friday!
Recently, I spoke with Lisa Green, a pet communicator, about our little Biscuit. Now, some may think that I am crazy for speaking with a pet communicator, but a trusted friend told me that Lisa really helped her with her horse’s health issues. Since Biscuit has recently had some health changes, we decided to have a reading done by Lisa. If you are interested, some highlights of what we learned from and about Biscuit are outlined below.
Introduction
Biscuit described himself to Lisa as a “Little Lassie Dog.” He said that he looks like a bigger dog than he really is because he has so much fur!
Biscuit told Lisa that he looks more “odd” on his left side and he said that he looks wonderful on his right side. He said that his best side is his right side.
Background
Lisa said that Biscuit is not where Doug and I are from.
Lisa said that Biscuit speaks in a southern accent and she saw hundreds of dogs at the base of the hills where Biscuit came from. Lisa described this as a huge operation, i.e., a puppy mill. She said that Biscuit was lonely there.
Lisa said that Biscuit was skin and bones living in these conditions and his nails were so long that it made it very difficult to walk.
Lisa said that Biscuit was tossed out of where he was living once they were done with him.
Biscuit said that he was happy that we traveled to rescue him.
Biscuit said that he misses the woman older than us; he really likes her and she is responsible for his fur coat getting and looking better. (We believe that Biscuit is referring to Carol Guth, the woman who heads the Sheltie Haven Sheltie Rescue, Inc., where Biscuit lived prior to us rescuing and adopting him).
Health
Lisa said that Biscuit told her that he is not ready to die. She indicated that Biscuit will be here a while (barring an accident, etc.).
Lisa said that she feels “off” about Biscuit’s left leg when he runs. His left back left leg turns in. However, it does not bother Biscuit, but you can see his left leg turn in when he runs.
Lisa said that Biscuit is missing a lot of teeth and asked us how many teeth were missing. (We found out when we rescued Biscuit that he is missing many back teeth on both sides.). Per Lisa, Biscuit’s mouth does not hurt, but he finds it difficult to eat at times due to the missing teeth.
Lisa feels “off” about the top right tooth behind the K-9 tooth. Lisa said to keep an eye on this tooth.
Concerning Biscuit’s recent surgery, she said that Biscuit said that he went into surgery for one thing and it turned out to be something different. (We thought that Biscuit had polyps, which turned out to be cancerous tumors).
The lobe of Biscuit’s right ear feels “off” to Lisa.
In Biscuit’s left ear, Lisa does not sense an infection; she feels that there is long-standing “gunk” in this ear, which has been there for quite some time. Lisa feels that Biscuit’s left ear has a lot of scar tissue, but, again, she does not sense an infection.
Lisa sensed changes in Biscuit’s blood work – specifically the BUN (blood urea nitrogen), increases in the kidney values. Lisa said that there is a problem with the nitrogen and urea that there is some sort of conversion problem. She advised that we speak to the vet further concerning this matter. She feels that the kidney issues are different than what we are thinking.
Lisa feels that the kidney on the left side is more impacted than the kidney on the right side. Thus, the kidney on the left will look different from the kidney located on the right.
Lisa feels that the issues with Biscuit’s kidneys are congenital in nature.
Lisa feels that one of Biscuit’s lymph nodes is “iffy.” She was unable to provide any more information. She told us to follow-up with the vet on this issue.
Lisa feels that diet will not continue to control the kidney levels.
Lisa does not feel that the medicine is doing what it should be doing, although it may take time for the medicine build up and work in Biscuit’s system. (We will follow-up with Lisa on this matter).
Lisa said that she feels that there is scar tissue around Biscuit’s ureters (tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder), which has been there for a long time.
Lisa said that Biscuit has been feeling the changes in his health since October 2012, six months ago.
Lisa said that Biscuit has had urinary tract issues on at least two (2) occasions.
Biscuit said after he got neutered, he felt very itchy around this area of his body. (Biscuit was neutered while he was at the sheltie rescue).
The tumor that was recently removed in Biscuit’s ear — Lisa feels that it will come back, but it will not be for a while.
Lisa said the left ear where the tumor was located feels numb.
Lisa said that Biscuit’s legs on his left side feels weaker than his legs located on his right side.
Biscuit said that his eyes get dry, particularly in the winter with the heat running.
Lisa did not feel any allergies concerning Biscuit.
Other Information
Biscuit said that he misses the gold dog, a non-sheltie. (We are not sure who this dog is that she described).
Biscuit does not like the rain. (We have found in our experience that Biscuit will not go potty (#2) in the rain).
Lisa feels that Biscuit is even-tempered and that Biscuit does not have a lot of fears or anxiety.
Lisa said that Biscuit does not live to eat; Biscuit does not live for food.
Lisa said that when Biscuit gets upset he gets a “nervous tummy.”
Biscuit said that he and I are alike in that I can make Biscuit nervous and he can make me nervous, a cyclical effect.
Biscuit feels like I am his “mommy;” Biscuit feels that Doug is his “buddy.”
Biscuit wants more fun car rides to fun places.
Biscuit misses our former house, which he loved. Biscuit said that we were so close to everything and it was very entertaining for him. In our current temporary housing, it is not as entertaining for Biscuit.
Biscuit feels bored living in our temporary housing. This is why he is digging at our carpet with his paws — his new hobby.
Biscuit told Lisa that he is famous. Biscuit showed Lisa the photograph of him running on the beach in Nova Scotia with his wind blowing in his fur and Biscuit smiling.
Biscuit asked why there are no photos of him up in our house, in our temporary housing. Biscuit wants more photographs of himself displayed. Lisa told him when our house is finished being built, that Biscuit will be prominently displayed everywhere. (All of our photos are still packed until we move).
Biscuit said that he loves people. He likes that everyone knows that he is a sheltie; and he misses all of the outings at our last house where everyone was constantly telling him how handsome he is. Biscuit wants more outings with people.
Biscuit said that he loves hardwood floors, which feels cool on his tummy. (It is a good thing that we will have lots of hardwood floors and hardwood stairs at our new house!)
Biscuit feels that everything is different since we moved and sold our last house.
Biscuit said that he misses chasing the cat that he used to chase in our former neighborhood – a hobby for him. Even though Biscuit likes to chase cats, Biscuit said that he is afraid of cats.
Lisa said that she had a feeling that Biscuit’s former name was “Rooty.” (Biscuit did not have a response to this name).
Biscuit said that he is not opposed to another dog, as long as it is not a dog larger than him; and Biscuit does not have a preference concerning gender, male or female. However, Biscuit does not want us to get a cat!
Biscuit feels that our vet is professional, but she is a whirl wind. Biscuit does not feel that he knows her well. Biscuit needs to be wooed. The staff at the vet’s office seems nice to him.
Biscuit likes it when people talk to him and look Biscuit in the eye.
Follow up
Biscuit needs more stimulation and more to do, i.e., more outings, use games/puzzles with Biscuit to keep him entertained. (Lisa told Biscuit that we will be moving this summer to our new home.)
Biscuit wants more car rides to fun places and we should therefore take him out more.
Biscuit wants more stimulation and she suggested that we take him outside more so that he can see people and be more connected.
We will do a check-in with Lisa in about a month to follow-up on Biscuit’s health and medicine, etc. We hope to learn more information at our appointments with the vet and the specialist next week.
If you wish to contact Lisa Greene, you can visit her website.
May 8
Interview with Valerie Shaff, Photographer
Recently, I had the opportunity and pleasure of interviewing Valerie Shaff, a photographer living in Germantown, New York. Valerie Shaff photographs animals and people. A selection of Valerie Shaff’s work is displayed below. Please visit Valerie Shaff’s website to view more of her work!
KATHERINE CARVER: What were your beginnings as a photographer and when did you realize it would become your chosen form of expression?
VALERIE SHAFF: I started making photographs when I was a young child, around seven-years-old. I studied photography in high school and worked in the darkroom and developed film. In college I majored in photography, and since college graduation, I have worked professionally as a photographer ever since.
KATHERINE CARVER: Did you study art or photography formally?
VALERIE SHAFF: I began as a painter in college. Later during college, I changed my major to photography. At my college, Bard College, there was not a photography department when I first began college. However, later during college, a photography department formed at my college and that is when I made photography my major during college.
KATHERINE CARVER: How do you describe your style?
VALERIE SHAFF: My style is quite naturalistic – based upon my belief system that we all are connected – the individuality and connectedness of all living beings.
KATHERINE CARVER: What was the impetus that inspired you to begin photographing dogs and other animals?
VALERIE SHAFF: I was quite fascinated with dogs and other animals being as natural as they are. I am very fascinated with animals being themselves.
KATHERINE CARVER: How have your own dog(s) influenced your artwork?
VALERIE SHAFF: My dogs confirm my feelings concerning the depth and experience we can have with other species and being able to articulate this depth of relationship with other living beings artistically.
KATHERINE CARVER: Where do you show/exhibit your work?
VALERIE SHAFF: I show and exhibit my work at the Smart Clothes Gallery; and the Carrie Haddad Gallery.
KATHERINE CARVER: What does “being creative” mean to you?
VALERIE SHAFF: This is a good question. I believe that everyone is naturally creative, and being creative is part of everyone’s life each day. Everyone has the opportunity to express themselves just by being alive. Additionally, artists employ other strategies to help communicate creatively.
KATHERINE CARVER: What is the most challenging aspect of being a photographer?
VALERIE SHAFF: I think that the most challenging aspect of being a photographer is dealing in the realm of making a living – specifically translating what I do into commerce. I am not as much interested in marketing and promotion as I am in actually making photographs.
KATHERINE CARVER: What inspires you to keep going and what keeps you motivated?
VALERIE SHAFF: My need to make photographs and express myself visually. Specifically, the process of seeing a project into completion engages me and it is quite satisfying to complete a project.
KATHERINE CARVER: What are the most rewarding and satisfying part about being a photographer and making photographs?
VALERIE SHAFF: The most rewarding part of being a photographer is all of the little surprises that occur while utilizing my skills that I have developed. These unexpected surprises are a gift that just happened to occur by chance during the process of creating art. This is very satisfying to me. Also, sharing my work is a valuable experience as it helps to clarify ideas and find a clear means of presentation.
KATHERINE CARVER: Can you describe the process of creating and publishing your books?
VALERIE SHAFF: Each book that I have published has, fortunately, been a very fluid process. I have been fortunate to have great agents and a wonderful co-author, Roy Blount, Jr. You can view my books here.
KATHERINE CARVER: What kind of patterns, rituals, and routines do you have while making photographs?
VALERIE SHAFF: The medium of photography has changed over the years. The photography equipment and process is quite different. Therefore, there are different preparations that take place today. I am trying to be more spontaneous in my photography and practice.
KATHERINE CARVER: Looking back on your accomplishments, to date, what are you the most proud of?
VALERIE SHAFF: I am most proud that I am associated with very accessible work. Many different types of people can respond to my work from a lay person to a person who has studied art formally. I really enjoy that my work is non-exclusive. I am also proud that I have been recognized as doing something original, which is very affirming.
KATHERINE CARVER: What are you working on now?
VALERIE SHAFF: I live in the country, and I am currently building a studio in my back yard. I am working on my personal work, exploring relationships. Previously, I did a lot of commercial work, which I was fortunate to have an opportunity to work on. However, with a client comes many expectations that I was expected to satisfy and deliver, which is much different than creating my own personal work. While doing commercial work, I had much less of an opportunity to get lost making my own personal art work and experimenting.
KATHERINE CARVER: What artists inspire your work?
VALERIE SHAFF: Nobody comes to mind right now. I am most concerned with getting to know the artist in addition to viewing the artist’s work. I do like to attend local art shows and see new work being made.
KATHERINE CARVER: What advice do you have for aspiring photographers and artists?
VALERIE SHAFF: Do not second guess yourself. You need to question what you are doing, but you also need to follow your instincts. Often times, what you are working on will lead to something else as well. It is also very important to appreciate the process. Additionally, it is important to be confident and to develop your own work. When you are not as concerned about what others think, you will create stronger work. It is also important to be playful and be committed to the process of making art. Finally, for me, it has been very helpful to have a spiritual practice to help understand yourself more deeply and knowing that we are all connected.
KATHERINE CARVER: How can people view your photographs?
VALERIE SHAFF: You can visit my website at http://www.valerieshaff.com/; and you can contact me via e-mail at valshaff@valstar.net.
*Please not that all photographs are courtesy of Valerie Shaff.
You can read additional interviews here.
May 7
This past weekend, my parents came to visit and they brought along their dog, Nick! Nick is a papillon mix rescue dog who is approximately six-years-old. Anyone who has met Nick knows that he loves his Daddy! Nick is his Daddy’s shadow and follows him everywhere…sometimes Nick is even disappointed that he cannot go into the bathroom with his Daddy! Nick is smart and he does listen well. Nick is quite vocal compared to Biscuit; Nick reacts to the slightest sound. Most of all, though, Nick is devoted to his Daddy. After our photo shoot, I took Nick to Five Guys for a little hamburger, which he loved. (Little Biscuit has been on and he continues to be on a strict prescription diet and, therefore, he could not come with us). Nick and Biscuit seem to get along well together. By the last night of the visit, Nick sat in my lap without running away to his Daddy!
We had gorgeous weather for a photography shoot and Nick did not mind having his photos taken as long as his Daddy was near by! I love the simple scenery that we happened to find!
Some highlights from our photography session are shown below. If you are interested in commissions, please find further information here!
Happy Tuesday!
Experience is everything. The neat thing about delivering a remarkable client experience is that it can be the foundation of a strong brand. Making personal contact and going the extra mile is something that makes a difference in the client experience. We are in an age where people have a lot of choice on where they shop and spend their money. If you provide a great client experience, it keeps the client happy and he/she will come back and refer you to others. It really is an interconnected process. Without the client, what do we have?
I really enjoy paper cards and design. I always look forward to making our holiday cards and I really enjoyed creating our wedding invitations. I recently created thank you cards for my clients. I created return address labels, seals, and custom stamps so that everything coordinates highlighting my brand, shown below.
I believe the client experience should be seamless for the client. After all, like myself, the ideal client, wants to make sure that they are working with someone whom he/she trusts and has confidence in. I know when I am hiring and working with someone, it is extremely important that I feel that I can build a rapport and working relationship with the person I am going to hire, which is just as important, if not more important, than the services rendered. Thus, my goal for each client is to create and implement a personalized, fun, and seamless experience that exceeds the client’s expectations and makes each and every client feel like royalty.
May 3
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing Jax, a rescue pit bull, who is approximately four-years-old! It is interesting how I met Jax’s mom, Jen. Jen is a big proponent of dog rescue and dog fostering, and she found one of my images on Pintrest, and contacted me via e-mail to book a commission. The image Jen found happened to be of a photograph I had taken last year of “Lady” who was living at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). Lady who was later renamed “Josie” was sent to the Jasmine’s House, Inc., a pit bull rescue organization, for placement in foster care. Jen and her husband fostered Josie who was recently adopted and placed in a furever home!
Even more interesting and coincidental, Jen and her husband are fostering “Princess Tulip” currently known as “Amelia” who I photographed a few weeks ago at (BARCS) for my long term dog project with BARCS. I was able to say “hello” to Amelia during our photo shoot.
Jen and her husband rescued and adopted Jax when he was approximately two-years-old from the Baltimore County Animal Control (BCAC) in August of 2011. They happened to go to BCAC on a day where Jax was available for adoption at the BCAC . After meeting Jax, they decided on the spot to adopt him and Jax has been a part of the family ever since!
Jen, a woman after my own heart, writes a blog about her adventures in dog fostering, which is narrated by Jax! You can follow Jen’s blog here! Additionally, here is a blog post about Jax’s one-year anniversary with his furever family!
Jax met me at the front door quite excited for his photo shoot! We had gorgeous weather this past weekend, and Jax was a pleasure to photograph. Jax is full of energy, but he was willing to sit still for some treats! By the time I left, Jax was giving me tons of kisses — a very lovable pup!
Thank you for inviting me to photograph and document your precious, beloved, and handsome Mr. Jax!
Some highlights from our photography session are shown below. If you are interested in commissions, please find further information here!
Happy Friday!
May 2
We received news from our vet yesterday that Biscuit’s polyps that the vet removed are actually tumors that are cancerous — ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. This type of tumor is locally infiltrative; the tumor can recur after surgery; and it has the possibility of metastasis to the lymph nodes. Per the pathology results, the tumor showed low to intermediate grade of malignancy, and, unfortunately, the tumor cells were identified at the borders of the tumor.
The vet said that she thinks that she got all of the cancerous cells during surgery; and the vet did an additional procedure after the polyp/tumor removal, an ablation, in order to hopefully remove any remaining cancer cells. The vet said per the results that there is a likelihood that the tumor can grow back. If the tumor does come back, the vet will likely refer us to a surgeon to perform a total ear canal ablation. We go back to our regular vet in about 1.5 weeks for Biscuit’s ear and dental recheck. At this time, the vet will show us how to check Biscuit’s lymph nodes at home on a regular basis, and how to check his ear to ensure that we monitor his left ear closely in order to identify any change(s). When we go to the vet, we are also going to check Biscuit’s urine and blood work again during this vet visit to recheck Biscuit’s thyroid levels and kidney enzymes. We really hope that the kidney values will not show an increase; and we hope for a decrease in Biscuit’s kidney enzymes. Finally, in mid May, we go and see the specialist concerning Biscuit’s kidneys.
Thank you again for all of your good wishes and prayers for Biscuit. We greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Biscuit has been quite active and content thus far since surgery — and we hope that this continues. We plan to take Biscuit on some adventures this weekend!
I complete all of my “print making” using Adobe Photoshop exclusively for all of my photography editing after culling through all of the RAW images from a photo shoot. (I do not outsource any of my editing). This process takes much more time than using Adobe Lightroom, for example, which allows for batch processing, which is much quicker than working on one image at a time. However, Photoshop is the most powerful tool on the market to edit images, which is not only limited to editing photographs.
I use the Photoshop tools in the same manner as I would use in the darkroom. I make cropping adjustments; color balance adjustments; brightness and contrast adjustments; and, occasionally, I use the cloning tool to help make adjustments where needed. Otherwise, my images are straight out of the camera with minimal manipulation. It is important to note that the original image out of the camera must be of good quality. However, using this Photoshop process takes more time as I work individually on each image — one image at a time to perfect each image, similar to working on an individual image in the darkroom. However, these minimal adjustments can make dramatic differences in the final image. There is definitely an art to the editing process, which requires time, patience, a keen eye, and attention to detail.
Below are some “before” and “after” images to give you an idea of the difference in the images after my editing process is completed.
Happy Tuesday!
Image – straight out of camera.
Image – after being edited in Photoshop.
Image – straight out of camera.
Image – after being edited in Photoshop.
Image – straight out of camera.
Image – after being edited in Photoshop.
Image – straight out of camera.
Image – after being edited in Photoshop.
Image – straight out of camera.
Image – after being edited in Photoshop.
These above dogs are dogs from the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). Please contact BARCS if you are interested in adopting any of the dogs shown above.
Apr 29
On Friday evening, we promptly picked Biscuit up from the vet’s office. As soon as the vet tech brought Biscuit on his leash through the door leading to the waiting area of the vet’s office, Biscuit came galloping towards us, very excited to see us! Doug said, “here comes our baby Biscuit!” We were so excited to see him. However, Biscuit could not leave the vet’s office soon enough!
Biscuit is doing well since his surgery. He has been sleeping well, and we have slept well too. We think that the tramodol may be helping Biscuit sleep, which is also helping to mitigate his pain.
Our weekend was not as active as usual. Biscuit took it easy and Doug got sick with the flu on Sunday. (Poor Doug – I hope that I will not catch it!) However, we did take Biscuit out to eat with us since the weather was nice this past Saturday. Biscuit loved to be outside! Biscuit has been persistent with his paw — wanting to be petted and held since coming home from the vet’s office. Biscuit has been all smiles this weekend showing off his pearly whites! Biscuit’s breath is also much better since his dental cleaning! A few photographs of Biscuit are below.
Thank you again for all of your thoughts and good wishes for our Biscuit. We greatly appreciate it.
Happy Monday!
Apr 26
Biscuit made it through his surgery this morning. The vet removed the polyp in his left ear and discovered another smaller polyp under the initial larger polyp. These polyps were both removed and are being sent for biopsy results, which we should receive in approximately a week. The vet indicated that she got all of the polyp tissue; however, the polyp could grow back. We hope to obtain further information from the lab on how likely it will be that the polyp(s) returns.
Biscuit’s teeth were cleaned as well since he was having the procedure completed to remove the polyps. Fortunately, no extractions were necessary and Biscuit should have some extra pearly whites and freshened breath!
Doug took Biscuit to the vet this morning and Biscuit looked visibly sad in his eyes once he knew that he was at the vet’s office. (Biscuit goes to the vet often to monitor and address his health issues). Doug said that Biscuit was trembling, and it was really difficult for Doug to leave him at the vet this morning. We hope that the polyps are non-cancerous and that the polyp(s) do not grow back. It is our hope that this removal will help mitigate Biscuit’s ear issues that we have been battling since rescuing Biscuit.
We are looking forward to seeing little Biscuit later today. However, due to his kidney issues as they are not fully functioning, Biscuit needs to stay at the vet longer for additional fluids to flush the anesthesia completely out of his system. Per the vet, we plan to pick up Biscuit around 6:00 p.m. tonight.
Biscuit will return to the vet for a check up in about a week and a half; and in mid-May, Biscuit goes to the specialist to address his kidney issues — we hope to glean further information on his kidney functioning.
Thank you again to everyone for keeping continued good thoughts and positive energy for our little Biscuit. We greatly appreciate it.
For now, below is a photograph taken by our vet’s office of little Biscuit waking up post surgery this morning. Of course, I will take more photographs of Biscuit when he returns home.
Happy Friday!
biscuit's space | The blog of photographer Katherine Carver 
