As many of you know, Karen London and I are writing a booklet for people who have adopted an adolescent or adult dog. We’re hoping it will be useful not just for individuals, but also for shelters and rescue groups, and ultimately for the dogs themselves. Right now our first draft is out to readers, looking for feedback about how to make it as good as it can be, and we’re working on the cover.
That’s where you come in. We’ve been looking at commercial photographs, trying to find just the right one, and so far nothing has struck us as THE picture. And then I thought of you . . .I know that many of the blog’s readers have dogs they’ve adopted as adolescents or adults, and how cool would it be if we could put one of YOUR dogs on the cover? So here’s the deal:
If you think you have a cover-worthy photo of a dog you adopted, send it to photos@patriciamcconnell.com, paying careful attention to the following criteria: Because the photo is for print, it needs to be higher quality than something that you can send over the internet or your cell phone. The photos need to be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch). (I first typed ‘dogs per inch,’ apparently if my fingers start with ‘d-o-‘ they can’t stop adding a ‘g’). The size should be no smaller than 1500 by 2100 pixels (that’s a 5″ x 7″ equivalent in print photos). The images should be in .jpg or .tif files. Please, absolutely only 3 photos from any one person of any one dog. Of course, if we select your photo, you’ll have to sign a release for us to be able to use it and please, don’t send any photos that you do not have the rights to (basically, best if you’ve taken them yourself or a good friend took). Please send any photos by Sunday, March 20th.
What are we looking for? Well, our first vision was of a dog’s head, looking straight at the camera. I suspect that might be the best photo for the booklet cover, but if you have a photo that is different, maybe a full shot of your dog, or something special with you and your dog, go ahead and send it. Warning: Any formal kind of picture of a person posing with a dog–the kind in which person and dog sit shoulder to shoulder looking at the camera is NOT what we are looking for, so don’t bother sending one like that.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Well, I’m not there, I’m in New York City, talking to literary agents and editors about a new book. I thought I’d be thrilled to leave, and to get a break from all the restrictions on Willie, but it turned out to be ridiculously hard to go. Willie, Jim and I have all adapted (the 3 week rule strikes again) and although Willie’s life is boring and ours is stressful trying to keep him from using his shoulder, we’ve all gotten used to our new life. He does his exercises 3 x a day, and of course that is now part of his fun (although standing on 3 legs, one of his exercises, clearly bothers him so we only do 7 reps instead of 10). He’s given up trying to play with his toys (breaks my heart to write that) and we’ve all adapted to a new routine. But oh, it was hard to go; I’ve been micro-managing his life now for a month, and it’s hard to let go. Must be like having kids! But my house sitter is amazing, she’ll be fantastic I know and Katie from the office is also being a huge help, going over every day and letting him out to potty during the day. So he’s in great hands, I know. But, still. You know . . .
We are enjoying New York though, and it’ll get even better soon. Meeting with my literary agent for lunch, going to Peter Luger’s for dinner with some great friends we met on the last African safari, going to a Broadway play tomorrow (only been once, and never with Jim, can’t wait) and getting to visit with Leslie Meredith, the amazing editor of The Other End of the Leash. She taught me so much about writing, is a total dog lover (she has Corgis) and an all around delightful person. It’ll be great fun to catch up with her. We ate the best pizza I’ve ever had last night (sorry Chicago, you totally lose the pizza wars!). All this is damped down by the heartbreaking news from Japan; I am holding everyone there in my heart and don’t go a minute without hoping for some good news. (And of course, that’s not enough, we’ll donate what we can, as we did for the NZ earthquake.)
Here are some photos of mine, just some images that might get you thinking about the photo you’d like to send in!
Karissa says
I sent a couple of photos of my girl, Secret! How fun! Her lifelong goal is to be a cover model.
Okay, maybe that is my goal more than hers….. :o)
Beth says
My girl came to us as an adult, but she was a retired show dog and that’s not really quite the same thing. She was rehomed but not in need of a home and could have stayed happily with her breeder in her breeder’s house, on her couch, if the right spot weren’t found. So I’ll save the spot for a true rescue, someone who opened their heart and home to a dog in need.
If you ever need a cat, though, let me know. I have one that’s a rescue and worthy of any cover. 🙂
Beth says
Whoops, should have said “if you ever need a cat PHOTO”. We are definitely NOT looking to give up the cat!!!!
Brandi Capps says
What is the deadline for this. Sorry if I missed it in the article, but I did look twice! 🙂
jackie says
Sending a piccy of my hell hound, too! Maybe you should do a gallery of all the entrants for us to coo over.
Michelle says
So what you’re saying is you don’t want this photo? 😉
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crysania4/4868841289/in/set-72157624548786557/
I’ve got tons of photos of the lovely Miss Dahlia (where she’s not eating a stick of butter) so I’ll be sending them in as soon as I can access the larger files of them!
Kat says
Yah, an excuse to go look though my file of Ranger photos. He’s a pretty photogenic dog so there are a lot of them.
Amy says
Wow… the internet makes the world a small place dosen’t it? I hope you get your photo! (I got my dog as a puppy so I don’t qualify… maybe next time. 🙂
Alex says
check out http://www.stonehousephoto.com/
Hannah is amazing and is a HUGE dog lover. She has some great shots of her dog or rescue dogs.
Frances says
My dogs don’t qualify, either – although Tilly cat is another feline who knows her rightful place is on the front cover of every book and magazine in the land, and she is a rescue!
trisha says
Eeeps, never put in a deadline (thanks Brandi!). How about by this Sunday, the 20th of March. And Michelle, thanks for the laugh, absolutely cracked me up! (And Beth, send us your cat photo anyway! We’d love to see it!
Marguerite says
Dang! My two best shots of my rescued Ratties made it into a Rat Terrier rescue calendar and note cards, so now the rescue group holds the rights to them. Nothing else I have is worth the electrons spent in sending them in. I look forward to seeing what gets picked!
LynnSusan says
After dedicating so much of my life to rescue, I know that rescues are do not come only from a shelter (sometimes they just show up) but my Gracie was a “private adoption” at age 10 months—not sure she qualifies for a book cover—but she certainly is a model dog, now, from a wacky,unruly adolescent.
And whether she makes the cover or not—her image will forever be imprinted on my heart.
Crystal says
I would love to contribute a picture, but my dog is not a rescue. Ah, well… you’ll get plenty, I’m sure.
Christina says
Exciting! I submitted some photos of my girl along with a small paragraph of her story so you know she’s a legit rescue 🙂
ABandMM says
Excellent. I just put together a poster collage of photos of my Abby. I’ll go through them again to find a few to send you. She was adopted from a shelter at 1.5 yrs old and is now a pillow-princess extraordinaire! Yes, most of the photos I have of her are with her head resting on a pillow. Even as I type this, she is lying on the couch with her head resting on a throw pillow.
Jen says
Sent in some pics of Frankie, my pom mix rescue. I would also love to see a gallery of all the submitted photos!
Sharrie Brockhaus says
Just adopted my second adult dog. Lost first one a year ago January when she was hit by a car. Am looking forward to the new book. Hope I am doing some things right with the second dog.
Sarah says
Wow, this is exciting! I love taking photos of my dogs, 4 of 5 of whom were adopted as adults (and each deserved their own instruction manual). I will definitely review my collection and see what might work!
Do you have any preference between landscape, portrait, or square orientation?
Ashley Taylor says
Wow! I just went through some pictures to see if I had anything that might be worthy. After finding three, I wanted to double check that they meet the requirements.
Not even close! Well, only in relation to dpi. 300?? Mine are only 72 (and taken with a high quality and high megapixel DSLR).
I guess that’s one way to narrow down the competition 🙂
Regardless, what a neat idea and I’m looking forward to seeing who the winner is.
Angella Partridge says
Hi Patricia
Just wondering if our greyhound qualifies for this.
We adopted her 2 years ago through a greyhound adoption program. She is a retired racing grey.
Regards, Angella
Michelle says
Glad I could make you laugh! For the record, that photo was entirely staged (though her butter stealing ways are NOT) and the butter went in the trash soon afterward!
I just submitted a few photos of my girl! I’m looking very forward to the new booklet, especially as I only plan to adopt adolescents/adults. I’m so glad to see someone tackling the subject as there are so many dogs out there who are wonderful and need a home!
FidoPhoto says
Ooh! What fun! My two favorite dogs to shoot were both adopted from shelters and one of them definitely as an adult. I’ll check on how old Callie was when she was adopted and send 3 in. Thanks for considering your bloggees for this!!
eardog says
patricia!
very exciting news that your new booklet will soon be published. no doubt it should be required reading for anyone adopting a dog (and everyone else interested in your methods.)
have sent a few photos to your email. hope they come through. but my blog features tons more of my adopted border mix, theodore (as the blog is about his life and times!) who is also a service and therapy dog.
and your blog is noted on our blogroll, of course!
feel free to browse through.
http://eardog.com/blog
…and enjoy the rest of your stay in nyc. the weather here’s not so grand, but it sounds like you’re having fun in our fair city, regardless.
cheers!
em says
Oh I wish I were more of a photographer. Most of my pictures of Otis are casual snaps and not nearly up to spec, I fear. Even if they were, I kind of suspect that, handsome as he is, a big goofy black Great Dane isn’t quite what you’re looking for as a cover model. 🙂
I WOULD love to see a gallery, though! I do have one picture that I think truly encapsulates what it was like to adopt a young adult…Otis had never played with a ball before coming to us. He’s so happy and he’s trying so hard, but the results were…well..hilarious. I won’t bog you down by sending you low res photos that you can’t use, but here’s the link if you’d like to see it…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47504277@N05/4354261411/
Alicia Graybill says
I sent in a pic of my Lacey, my 12 year old rescue Aussie. I’m partial but I think it’s a particularly stunning picture.:)
jackie says
I have a sad ‘before’ photo of my dog too – in the dog pound waiting to be pts. I’m sure I’m not the only one to have something like that and I wondered if that would be an interesting thing for you to include somewhere inside the book for whichever dog ends up on the cover.
Beryl M. Gersch says
I too will submit some photos if I can figure out where to send them!
Adria says
Just sent in some of our rescue Beskow and her friend Esme… both adopted at 10 months- enjoy! They’re beautiful girls 🙂
adria
Annette Ervin says
Absolutely can’t wait for this book. I JUST adopted an adult dog and am having issues with house training. I’m lucky enough to have a great vet and he’s helping me immensely, but can’t wait for a book on how to work with an adult dog who did not have the benefit of a good start in life.
Marie says
“send it to:
photos@patriciamcconnell.com“
Kat says
Sent in two and like so many others would love to see a gallery of submissions.
Chrissy says
I sent in my favorite of Molly but I’m not sure if the resolution is good enough, hopefully so 🙂
I would love to see a gallery as well!
Michy says
I sent a couple in of Missy, my “problem” dog, and I’d love to see a gallery of submissions. I give my permission for you to share my pictures in one. I might drop a few of Lassie and/or Jupiter in as well, they were both rescues at around a year of age that fell into our lives. Of course, they are also both dogs with almost no serious “issues” which made it super easy to deal with them.
Rachael says
Bummer! My pictures were also taken with a professional DSLR and are still only 72 dpi. They are great photos so maybe I’ll submit them just in case. Great idea though!
Jenny says
What a great idea! I borrowed a friend’s camera to get some shots of my pups at work today. Not sure why, but my camera has super low dpi despite being more expensive (doesn’t it always work that way?)
This book sounds like it will be a Godsend for people who adopt dogs like my Skye. Not every transition is easy, and hers was a long and difficult road. We’re still working on it, but the progress I’ve seen in her in the past year is amazing. Hopefully your book will give us and adopters everywhere the guide they need to help their dogs. Thanks!
http://parkerskye.blogspot.com/
Faith says
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/dog-in-japan-stays-by-the-side-of-its-ailing-friend-in-the-rubble
I thought most people here would appreciate this link. Such loyalty.
LSL says
I just love the second photo.
Dena (Izzee's Mom) says
Trish, that picture of you and Tulip is one of my favorites.
Alessandro Rosa says
I was reading some of the responses and just wanted to try help clarify the issue of DPI as there may be some confusion. As long as your file has more than 1500 pixels by 2100 pixels, or the equivalent of a 3 megapixel photo, you will meet the minimum requirement.
DPI is a bit of an arbitrary designation when it comes to photos, as it actually is a term used in printing and has nothing to do with photos per se. No matter what your actual photo’s pixel count is, the DPI that your computer shows initially when you look at the files properties will more than likely say that the file is at 72dpi. This again is a misnomer, but that is a whole other kettle of kibble.
DPI refers to the resolution of the print. It really doesn’t have much to do with pixel count of the photo either, as Dots are related to printer resolution and Pixels are related to Camera capture, but that would get far too technical to explain here.
What many people do (not technically correct, but almost everyone does it) is use as a very rough rule of thumb which takes the desired resolution of the final print, in this case 300dpi, multiply it by the desired print size, in this case a minimum of 5″x7″ and back into a minimum “pixel count” and come up with the file needs to be 1500×2100 pixels. It is inaccurate, but for argument sake it is in the same zip code.
So Dr. McConnell’s publisher wants a photo that is a minimum of 5 inches by 7 inches at 300dpi. All that means, as Dr. McConnell pointed out is that the image should be 1500 pixels wide by 2100 pixels high (and I say that because books are traditionally longer than wide when closed). So no matter what the properties of your photo file says the DPI is, as long as it has at least 1500 pixels x 2100 pixels, it will have enough pixels to create a 5×7 print at a resolution of 300dpi.
That being said, if you are using a photo editing program like Adobe Lightroom, Apple Aperture, or Adobe Photoshop, when you export the file to send to Dr. McConnell, set the DPI to 300 and make sure that your longest side is at least 2100 pixels.
Just a side note, that same 1500×2100 pixels would get you a 10×14 print when printed at 150dpi resolution or a 20×28 print at 75dpi….
For anyone out there who is in the print business or an engineer, please give me a pass as I was only trying to give a rough illustration for a Dog Behavior blog and not a technical treatise on Printing Resolution. 😉
Susan says
Sorry I am not able to contribute a photo in time. My Oscar would qualify as an adolescent rescue, in nearly every sense of the term. He and I have benefited from your books and wisdom, and I wish there were such a booklet when I rescued him. I look forward to seeing the finished product!
Maru says
I just sent the pictures of my dog, Kojak! I hope you like them!! 🙂