MAGNIFICENT FLYING DOGS – Groenvlei Lake, Goukamma

A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.”

― John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog

My shoes were wet and muddy, there was water sloshing everywhere, sticks flying overhead, dogs leaping past me and SPLASHING into the Lake in front of me.

I recently did a photo-shoot with 4 Labradors and their crazy Marine Biologist human parent, Mandy, at Groenvlei Lake in the Goukamma Nature Reserve.  Believe me when I tell you, it was chaotic.

Fortunately for me, Mr T came along to assist as camera bag carrier, doggy stick thrower and lens changing buddy.

In order of seniority the doggies are Shadow (the sweet old man and a chocolate lab), Hazel (the shy gentle girl also a chocolate lab), Josie (soft but full of bounce, the black one) and last but never least, Layla (the yellow lab).

We started off with some portraits at the house, but Mandy really wanted images of the fur kids playing and interacting with each other in the water, so down to the lake we went and that is when the madness really began…

There is a lot of fake fighting and tomfoolery that goes on, Layla is always the instigator. Mandy calls her “The Wild Woman!”.

She’s like an Energiser Bunny that just keeps on going…

Josie doing her thing, the run up, the leap and the splash!

Unlike the lovely Hazel who is sweet, gentle and a tad shy.

Josie, looking determined, Layla looks on in the background…

Layla, always the wayward, naughty one.

Josie looking pensive, sweet and plum tuckered from all the excitement.

Wild Woman Layla, still full of vim and vinegar even after all that chaos and ready for round 2!

Shadow has had enough of these crazy young pup’s shenanigans, he’s ready for a long snooze on the couch.

I’m ending off with one of my favourite images from the session, Layla swimming in the Lake at sunset, such a peaceful scene.

Everybody was poop tired in the end. While the pooches went home for dinner, Mr T and I made our weary way back to Custard Cottage for a well deserved shower and a couple of glasses of wine.

If you’d like to book a fun, affordable photo-shoot featuring your precious pet, type your enquiry HERE and I’ll get back to you soon!

Walk gently on the earth,