Dogs

Thursday Thoughts – A Nightmare

/ Leya / 62 kommentarer

I have not been online much this week. The worst scenario happened Monday evening – a pitbull came running towards us, caught Milo and would not let go. The owner of the dog soon turned up, apologizing that he had let the dog slip from him. He tried to break up the jaws of his dog, but those jaws are made for Not letting go.

After a seemingly endless fight, the pitbull finally let go – only to run around us and attack Milo’s hind leg and groin. I don’t know how the owner made the dog stop, but he did. Blood everywhere.

Milo limped with me to the car and we drove to the vet at the town hospital. We stayed until morning broke, and they had operated him. I don’t know how many stiches, but at least in 4-5 places on his body. Shaved clean and a drainage set.

I am still in a state of shock, but Milo is alive – that is the most important thing. I am home alone since two weeks, (my husband in Taiwan) but I do wish I wasn’t…

So, I am writing this now, when Milo is safely asleep beside me. Grateful for his life. Grateful for a responsible owner, who immediately paid all expenses the day after, and – promised to let the pitbull be euthanized. He was badly hurt in arms and fingers himself, and had spent some hours at the hospital too that night.

Why do people buy dogs that are deadly weapons? I know several people, and even friends, who have lost their dogs or got bitten themselves (or their child) after such a meeting. People always say that it is the dog owner’s fault, who cannot handle those breeds correctly. But – there will always be people who ”cannot handle it”. The injuries will not be that disastrous though, if you have an ordinary breed and not one that is trained to kill.

I think Denmark has forbidden those killer breeds, but here – no. How many lives must be spilled before there is a law against breeding and having them?

Lens-Artists Challenge #362 – Sports, Sporting Events and Fun Games

/ Leya / 40 kommentarer

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

– Henry David Thoreau

I feared this would be a difficult challenge for me – I don’t do sports anymore even if I enjoy watching some of them. My daughter was in a gymnastic team and my son an avid skater. My husband a handballer and myself, I was a swimmer, runner and a horse girl. I definitely never (?) photograph sports. Fortunately I have my archives and hoped to find some pictures anyway. Beth´s challenge gives you many possibilities!

Well, searching my memory and archives paid off – here are some different sports and games:

Sports are such a great teacher. I think of everything they’ve taught me: camaraderie, humility, how to resolve differences.

– Kobe Bryant

In Bhutan, the national sport is archery. We went to see some teams compete at a sports arena – and their long shooting bows were incredibly sharp.


I’m a competitive person and I love the challenge of mastering new things.

– Sasha Cohen

Some of my son´s happiest moments were in the big bowls of Malmoe skate park. And still are.
(Photo by David P.) The skateboard was with him on all vacations for several years – at Figueres as well. I wonder what Dalí would have made out of it…

Sports involving both animals and humans are the most difficult ones. Cooperation is essential. One of my old students is a Swedish champion in jousting.

The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.

– Ernie Banks

A spectacular racing event was the famous reindeer race in Jokkmokk, Lapland. Reindeer are very tough to train – they are not like our pets. To handle them, you have to keep your tongue steady in your mouth too!


It’s a crazy world, so sports and athletics and music can be a form of escapism.

– Eddie Vedder

Finally some competitions/sports for dogs. I never really liked that, but if we wanted to buy our dogs it was necessary to let the breeder have his certificates. Good memories though – Totti won Swedish and Danish Champion titles.

Totti at Hovdala championships
Hamar, Norway for a dog show. This is Totti’s son.
More competitions…Me and Totti to the right

– In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.

 – Edward Hoagland

And Totti held a boxing title too…shared with Mille of course. Those were the days – daily entertainment in our garden!

Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.

– Michael Jordan

In the header, debating monks at the Sera Monastery in Tibet. A popular sport where the ”performers” loved to show off both their versatility and knowledge. I wish I knew their language so I could follow their intelligent arguments!

A massive thank you to Beth for this challenge that got me hard working and showed me I need to take more photos of sporting events. When you join us, (I know you will find something in the end, even if you despair like I did…) remember to tag Lens-Artists and to link back to Beth’s original post.

Last week meant so many beautiful doors raining over us! A big thank you to Sofia, and to all of you for sharing your doors and doorways with us.

Next week it is Anne’s turn to lead us, Saturday 30th August. Until then, take care and be kind.

Thursday Thoughts – Colours Still Lingering Here

/ Leya / 39 kommentarer

With Milo as good as new after his makeover, we drove homewards, but made a stop at the beautiful waters I always passed by when I was still working.

The old mill is still standing, but this time the light was wrong for a photo. Instead we walked along the river banks, listening to the silence.

Milo was completely happy, and so was I.

The Autumn air was crisp and cool – and I never tire of watching the colourful leaves falling, floating, making beautiful patterns.

A couple of Mallards came swimming, hoping for food, but disappeared quickly when they saw the dog.

On our way back again, the sun gracefully spread its golden rays, and my old love for Autumn was kindled once more. Thank you for walking with me and Milo!

Thursday Thoughts – Hachikō

/ Leya / 32 kommentarer

Everyone who once has owned the friendship of a dog, will love the story of Hachikō – Japan’s most famous dog.

Hachikō was an Akita-inu, born in 1923. He followed his master to the Shibuya station in Tokyo every day and met him there every night when he returned.

But one day, professor Ueno suddenly died and never came back. Hachikō waited for almost ten years for his master, sitting at the same place outside the station. Many people cared for him and helped him, so…

…his story got wings and travelled around the world, even to Sweden. As a child I read about him and was very moved by his faithfulness. At home we always had both cats and dogs, so my heart was aching for his fate.

In 1934, his statue was unveiled, and Hachikō himself was present too. Today there is always a long queue to his statue – young and old – everyone wants a photo with him by their side. Even if it is heavily raining…The station gate and exit wear his name and on the wall there are several Akita-inu dogs portrayed.

This was one of my must-see places in Tokyo.

The whole story of the faithful Hachikō is here.

Lens-Artists Challenge #263 – Faces in a Crowd

/ Leya / 35 kommentarer

John asks for faces in a crowd – not too easily done for a shy person like me. But, there are many alternatives for us too!

John points out that we might include examples from nature photography, pets, street photography, headshots, portraiture, fashion, sports, or wedding photography. And more.

To my surprise I found both old and new ones for this post. Here we go:

On Emma’s high school graduation day we finally spotted each other in the crowd!

Stockholm – at the market hall I spotted a happy young man running around with his sea creatures…

Jousting always gathers crowds of spectators, handsome horses and handsome men.

Good looking male lions…

Art… with legs, in Vilnius.

Mural art in Lodz, Poland.

Art in China – theatre and music along the Yangtse river.

Flower faces in Lund.

Animal faces – my Totti.

Strays in Thimpu, just outside our hotel. Very sweet and well behaved.

Lovely Bhutanese faces from the street, a famous traffic conductor and a family on pilgrimage.

– On their way to Tiger’s Nest.

Hungarian dolls in Budapest – faces in a crowd!

Your challenge this week is to share images featuring faces, in a crowd or standing alone, human or animal. Selfies are approved. We are looking forward to seeing your take on “Faces in the Crowd”. Don’t forget to link to John’s original post and be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists.

Sincere thanks to Amy for her challenge last week, “Frame your Photos.” Next week, Sofia will be our host. If you’d like to participate but aren’t sure how to get started, click here.