Some puppies are so easy to take pictures of, they gaze at the camera with happy curiosity, shivering with puppy delight at the opportunity to explore new frontiers. For example, Pitty Pat had no problem posing in the midst of a dozen or two Valentine hearts, all within tempting reach. She gazed at each new addition happily, trying to decide which one she could cart off and hide for an afternoon snack. Not bothered a bit by all the holiday frivolity, she knows how utterly adorable she is and turned from side-to-side happily; I can almost hear her saying “Mama Terry, is this my better side? How about this angle? Ain't I cute!?”

Ah, but then it's her brother Snookums turn and he took one look at my shiny black camera and all the frilly decor (remember, I’m the Puppy Decorator!) and, firmly considering himself all boy, positively wilted.

In the blink of an eye, he went from a cheery little bundle to a puppy who couldn't look more miserable if he tried. If there was ever an “I hate my life!” expression on a puppy's face it's certainly on his wobegon small countenance. Of course I found this incredibley amusing, who could help laughing just a little bit at that pathetic stare?

All my efforts to encourage him failed utterly and as I snapped each new picture I decided that he looked more like an inmate at the local dog pound than a lovingly cherished small creature who had more toys than any three normal puppies for goodness sake! Clearly, he was trying to tell me that he had been happily playing (ie: chomping on his sister’s paw) when I scooped him up and thrust him into an embarrassingly unboyish Valentine’s Day extravaganza 😂

Undaunted, I persevered, chirping and coaxing (whilst pleading desperately), waving his favorite toys energetically, and my little guy finally took a big breath and began to warm to his surroundings allowing me to capture how truly ADORABLE he is before hurrying him back to his game of bite sissy’s paw with all my might…

“A much more entertaining way to spend my afternoon!” he said with a woof!