A lifestyle of all things DOG.

 

If you only want to see the interesting (according to flickr), you can see them here. If you want to see what I like the best, please check out my favorites set selected from my stream.

 

I'm not with him

I am often asked how to tell the two boyz apart (Mercury left, Tag right).

Here's the scoop in as few words as possible:

Mercury is larger, lighter in color, has a pointy nose and wears a red collar. Tag is a shrimp, has a darker coat with shiny silver highlights on the edges of his ears, and wears a blue collar. If you’re looking at an action shot, Mercury is usually chasing or looming over Tag. If you’re looking at a teeth-shot, and you see gums, it’s probably Tag.

 

As for personalities, they are completely, diametrically opposed. Mercury is keenly intelligent, conscientious, sensitive, and social. He carries the weight of the world’s worries on his shoulders. Tag is shallow, easy-going, happy-go-lucky and not the brightest bulb on the tree. However, Tag is a wonderful snuggler, and he’ll purr in a poor imitation of a cat if you scratch him in his favorite spots.

 

My Utata article The Nature of Dog

 

Utata Speaks Participant

 

utatamember

 

Currently shooting with:

Leica C-Lux 3 (shots)

and

Nikon D200 body

Nikkor 60mm f2.8 (shots)

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 (usually with a clear UV filter to protect this lens from dog noses)

Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF AF (with Hoya clear UV filter) (shots)

Sigma 20mm f/1.8 DG RF (with a Tiffen clear UV filter) (shots)

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D AF (with Tiffen clear UV filter) (shots)

  

flexplore

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Testimonials

Tollen says:

I love Karen's dog photos alot and her Mercury the most! It is an absolute joy to view the antics of the dogs that are recorded so outstandingly by this poodle mommy! Karen's ability of action shots has astounded me from the very first time. In my book, they are the best. " Karen, you make me laugh and sometimes cry, w… Read more

I love Karen's dog photos alot and her Mercury the most! It is an absolute joy to view the antics of the dogs that are recorded so outstandingly by this poodle mommy! Karen's ability of action shots has astounded me from the very first time. In my book, they are the best. " Karen, you make me laugh and sometimes cry, when I see my sweetheart Mercury off the porch, walking in the tall grass, --I cannot believe how much I have come to love this dog through your photos." I aslo love Karen's sharing of herself in this most honest and sincere photography stream. Her sense of humor is a constant and more than joyful! "Thank you for being such a wonderful inspiration to me! What a splendid photographer you are and the kindest of people!! "

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March 24, 2007

It was the infamous fun Tag & Merc action shots that first drew me to Karen's flickr photostream, but over time I've realized the depth & brilliance of this charismatic remarkable woman. She seems to be as serious as she is fun loving -- always pushing herself forward, grabbing the brass rings along the way; always kin… Read more

It was the infamous fun Tag & Merc action shots that first drew me to Karen's flickr photostream, but over time I've realized the depth & brilliance of this charismatic remarkable woman. She seems to be as serious as she is fun loving -- always pushing herself forward, grabbing the brass rings along the way; always kind & considerate; supportive & always willing to answer any call for help; cheerful & uplifting; she makes time to smell the roses. Karen is a wonderful human being. Tag & Mercury are two very fortunate poodles!

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December 30, 2006

I love to visit the stream of The Pack... Karen can capture her dogs in a very special way... Action shots are her specialty and they are very spectacular! Karen is a wonderful person and I am happy I found her at Flickr... Thanks Karen!

October 21, 2006

I first crossed paths with Karen here on Flickr in August 2005, when I discovered a puppy photo of her gorgeous boy Mercury that looked nearly identical to a puppy photo of my standard poodle Sophie. We corresponded a bit, and came to learn that Mercury is Sophie's half brother! It was of those fun Flickr coincidenc… Read more

I first crossed paths with Karen here on Flickr in August 2005, when I discovered a puppy photo of her gorgeous boy Mercury that looked nearly identical to a puppy photo of my standard poodle Sophie. We corresponded a bit, and came to learn that Mercury is Sophie's half brother! It was of those fun Flickr coincidences that illustrates what a small world it is. I can't count how many smiles her photos have brought to me over the past year. Merc and Tag in high gear, kicking up dust, defying gravity, teeth bared, ears airborne. Poodle play: there's nothing like it. So pull up a mouse. Stay a while. Prepare to smile. Welcome to The Pack: a celebration of canine delights, poodle passions, and other good things in life.

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July 24, 2006
Canna W says:

When I die I am going to ask to be reincarnated as a poodle. Preferably one of Karen's. She has shown me the joy of poodle. After seeing her pix, who would ever want to be anything else? Karen's writing also underpins her work. I thinks she is as brilliant a writer as she is a photographer. Thank you K… Read more

When I die I am going to ask to be reincarnated as a poodle. Preferably one of Karen's. She has shown me the joy of poodle. After seeing her pix, who would ever want to be anything else? Karen's writing also underpins her work. I thinks she is as brilliant a writer as she is a photographer. Thank you Karen for the many hours of delight that I have found on your pages, you megga talented person :)

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May 28, 2006
Worried Rose (deleted)

The Pack posts what are hands-down the most awe-inspiring pet photos on Flickr. She raises a style synonymous with hokie snapshots to a photographic artform all its own. Whether you just want to laugh at the antics of her poodles or take in amazing action shots, this is the place to be.

November 21, 2005
Terry says:

Some of the most amusing and entertaining photos on flickr....you can always depend on The Pack for a smile! Tag and Mercury are the epitome of poodle fun, you will never look at a standard poodle in the same way again! Wonderful photography, an eye for the absurd and the beautiful......well worth stopping by this fl… Read more

Some of the most amusing and entertaining photos on flickr....you can always depend on The Pack for a smile! Tag and Mercury are the epitome of poodle fun, you will never look at a standard poodle in the same way again! Wonderful photography, an eye for the absurd and the beautiful......well worth stopping by this flickr site. A favorite, for sure. :)

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November 21, 2005

I love Karen's pictures! They're unique and always take a fresh look at their subject. And, of course, they're often poodle-rific! (Plus, my nieces Sirene and Savannah are in a lot of them.)

November 7, 2005
Lisa says:

Karen is one of the most fascinating dog photographers on flickr. Her ability to catch "just the right moment" is astounding. Her photos are always high-quality and awe-inspiring. I anxiously await her next uploads! Now that I have two playful pups, I frequently find myself in the backyard with the camera trying de… Read more

Karen is one of the most fascinating dog photographers on flickr. Her ability to catch "just the right moment" is astounding. Her photos are always high-quality and awe-inspiring. I anxiously await her next uploads! Now that I have two playful pups, I frequently find myself in the backyard with the camera trying desperately to copy a pack photo... :)

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November 2, 2005

For all of us who are owned by poodles, we know that we can trust THE PACK's pictures to see the ultimate in poodle action photography. Karen's pictures are breath-taking as they showcase her dogs and their playmates in the most natural environment and gorgeous lighting conditions I have ever seen. I look forward to ga… Read more

For all of us who are owned by poodles, we know that we can trust THE PACK's pictures to see the ultimate in poodle action photography. Karen's pictures are breath-taking as they showcase her dogs and their playmates in the most natural environment and gorgeous lighting conditions I have ever seen. I look forward to gazing at her photos and drool with envy that some day, some way, I will snap one, JUST ONE, that rivals her collection. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us!

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October 31, 2005

Karen has a real talent for action shots of her dogs. It seems as thought she always pushes the button down on exactly the right moment. I really love looking at her pictures of dogs. In short: I am a fan of her!

October 13, 2005