The Bark! Dog Is My Co-Pilot

The Bark is definitely the coolest magazine out there covering “modern dog culture” as it describes itself.  I always got The Bark when I had Scout, but I’m still getting it to this day because it’s just so great!  As a graphic designer, I love the look of it!  It has always had the information that concerned me at any given moment when I had a pup and now that I don’t, I just enjoy reading it and seeing what’s happening in the dog world.  They had an issue a few years ago called “Now Let Us Praise Old Dogs”.  Scout was pretty deaf and almost completely blind at the time and I just remember being so moved by the content.  It’s an extraordinary publication.  Just a plug because I love it so…

Go to TheBark.com to see what’s happening.

Charlesbridge Unplugged with Mel Schuit

I'm so proud to be a part of the Charlesbridge Publishing family... Check out the podcast I did shortly before Puppy Talk Opposites was released!  I have to admit that I was nervous, but Mel was so engaging and easygoing, that I felt like I was just having a nice conversation with a friend.  It was fun!  I hope you enjoy.  It’s a little insight in how Puppy Talk came to be.  Let's talk puppies!  

Puppy Talk: Opposites author J.C. Coates talks puppies, photography, and more puppies! Click the logo above to listen to the podcast.

Sweet Joyce

I don’t think any puppy that I’ve photographed has touched my heart as much as Joyce did.  Joyce was one of the first puppies that I invited into my home for a photoshoot, almost 9 years ago.  I saw Joyce and Mary in the park where she was running on her front legs with her back legs held up in a sling.  She was so happy and funny.  I couldn’t get over her!  Joyce had been hit by a car in Cozumel and had to have her back leg amputated.  Her other back leg was also badly damaged. She was rehabilitated by IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, www.ifaw.org, an amazing organization headquartered on Cape Cod.  IFAW posted the video below which still makes me cry every time I watch it.  Mary brought Joyce into her loving home and she is cherished and loved. Here’s the video of their first meeting at the airport as Joyce was airlifted to the US. She’s got a beautiful spirit. xoxo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKb3mZJxryw

The best photo shoot with Joyce!

Puppies and Their People

Clockwise from top left: Lucy, Rocket, Doug, Pablo, Dauphine and Oliver

One of the great joys of working on this project has been meeting new people who were kind enough to say “Sure, you can photograph my puppy”, many times, to a perfect stranger. I’ve been amazed by the support I’ve received from people who just wanted to help. I love that!  I have a great deal of gratitude for all the remarkable people who have participated in my Puppy Talk project. I hope you enjoy the pictures of you and your puppy!