Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
– Anatole France
Tina has chosen a theme close to my heart – and I guess to many of us this will be a feast of memories!
In the first gallery you will find my own dogs, (I just had to…) the Lagotto Romagnolos. Originally waterdogs, but as Romagna (Italy) lost many of its water- and marsh lands, these dogs were taught to find truffles instead. The breed is known to be very harmonious and friendly, and these dogs never shed any hair.
Next gallery shows some of the unforgettable dogs I have met on my travels. Often it is the eyes that does it, but they all have their own stories.
The first one was a cosy dog we met on a hike in the Pyrenees. He was chained to his little house, which is forbidden in Sweden. So we stayed some time to talk and pat. In the middle are two ”mustcuddle” dogs from Scotland belonging to a blogger friend of mine. Before our Lagottos, we had a Bearded Collie in excactly the same colours. Then, there is a shop assistant in Bhutan…
The blue-eyes was a stunner in Lodz – never seen anything like those eyes. I know I have posted this several times – but how could I not? In Georgia we met many dogs, but this was the sweetest, most harmonious picture of a young boy and a stray dog, relaxing together in the sun. I saw a lovely story in this one…the two of them seeking each others’ company, maybe after school? Even if the boy is on his phone, his hand is resting quietly on the dog. And they breathe together. In silence.
The last gallery is for the cats! We always had cats when I grew up, so there is a special bond…even if I nowadays prefer dogs. (Or my husband does…)
Cats and dogs generally go well together- if they grow up together – but if not…well, in this meeting the dog turned stiff as a statue and the cat froze with lowered ears. Again we visit Tblisi, but also Norway, Iceland, the Amsterdam Catmuseum and lastly, Sweden.
The two siamese cats belong to a very good friend of mine. (Borrowed photos!) They are a Siamese and an Oriental Shorthair. Those two finally became good friends ( after half a year or more… ) and are now inseparable. Just for fun, my friend used one of her apps for deciding animal species – and the Oriental Shorthair is…according to AI… a bat! True enough by his looks! But he is very social and sweet, and ”talks” very much to us all.
Be sure to visit Tina’s inspirational site for beautiful wild cats as well – I cannot provide you with any (except Aslan in the header) and link to her post including the Lens-Artists Tag. We thank Egidio for last week’s Complementary Colors challenge, and all of you who responded with your beautiful images. Finally, we hope you’ll join us next week when Patti leads us once again on her terrific Pilotfish blog. Until then as always please stay safe, be kind and true to yourself.
Leya 
Finally
Finally got to this! Have my ‘Isn’t life wonderful’ smile on my face! Oh, am a definite ‘dog person’ and your dogs are a new breed to me – I can see why you love them!!! I have two weekly favourite TV shows on the same topic from here and England – ‘Dog House’ dealing with families adopting rescue dogs . . . some fit and others don’t . . . delightfully spent time . . .
Ah, thank you, Eha! I too love to see them rescuing dogs and helping them to a new life with a forever home!
We had dogs when I was growing up, lots and lots of dogs, but on one or two cats. So now we are the opposite, same for my husband, funny isn’t it how it turns out. Your dogs are very cute and looks like you found lots of great ones on your travels. I am soft on the cats I have admit. Maybe one will adopt you. My husband hated cats, but loves ours.
So many wonderful images to share.
I can’t have pets in my tiny apartment, but I do like looking at the dogs I see in the street or the rare time my younger brother brings his dog down to visit.
I rarely see cats.
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Great great photos! Well done.
Thank you, John!
Adorable, Ann-Christine. I love all your galleries however, the one that really spoke to me is the one of your own water dogs, so sweet!
Thank you, Sofia! They will always be in my heart.
An amazing response Ann-Christine. I remember fondly your pups from your many mentions of them thru the years. You’ve done them proud this week, along with the rest of these beautiful creatures. Wonderful from start to finish
Thank you, Tina! And yes, I hope they know…
Nice to start with a gallery of your own favourites, some of whom we’ve seen and recognize. I’m not very familiar with cat breeds, and that oriental shorthair was totally new to me. Lovely photo to end with.
Thank you! Well, he’s not my style, but very sweet hearted.
I may be more a cat lover than dog, but I have to say your dogs are super cute! It’s not a breed I’m familiar with. I loved your story about AI thinking that cat was a bat too 😂
Sarah – thank you! And i still laugh at that bat. I tried another app and it said the same…
What an adorable post Ann Christine! The boy and the dog reminded me so much of my son with our pet. I usually found the two of them in a somewhat similar pose. Also the cats are really stunningly photographed.
Thank you, Sheetal – I believe children and animals belong together.
Wouldn’t be you without your water dogs, Ann-Christine. The love shines through.
♥
You’re very good at this Animal Portrait malarkey!
I learned a new word as well – thank you!
Oh dear, Ann-Christne. I just looked it up. It sound very rude, whereas when I use it, it just means ‘This kind of thing’, in a ratherv flippant way!
I found the kinder translation to – no worries!
👍😄
Saying hello from Australia – we certainly do not regard ‘malarkey’ as a rude word here at all . . . it just means ‘all that stuff’! A bit old-fashioned if you are still in your 20s or so 🙂 !
Well, I am 67…
Well, I ‘beat you’ by quite a bit 🙂 !
Images that brings a smile to anyone’s face. 😊
♥
Wow that looks like my 20 yr old cat 🐱
😀
Ann-Christine, this gallery is so beautiful. I was admiring each and every photo. In the end, the boy and the dog kept haunting me. I had to go back and admire that again. Powerful!
Thank you, Egidio – it is a photo that really has stayed with me.
Beautiful set of photos!!
♥
That lion looks classic and majestic at the same time
Yes, a childhood favourite by CS Lewis.
Cool to know that
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