Thanks to all who have purchased signed first edition copies The Nature of Dogs through my website for Mother’s Day gifts.

Speaking of mothers, this is one of my favorite puppy images. I set out to photograph one of Cavalier King Charles breeder Sandy Kusilek’s adult dogs, but she had 5 week old puppies playing on the back patio. I was worried that they were almost too cute to make a picture but shot a few rolls and was glad to find this moment. They reminded me of elder statesmen.

I burned the background way down, placed a piece of scratched plastic on the photo paper when I made exposure (to give it that distressed look), sepia toned the print and used photo oils to add just a bit of dimension and color.

I’m entertained by these little guys every time I print them.

The Washington Post recently featured an article about the increasing use of art therapy in traditional health care settings.

In the mid-1990’s, when funding for The National Endowment for the Arts was threatened (again), my frustration motivated me to commission a graphic artist friend to create this bumper sticker. Thank you, again, Liz Luce.

I produced about 1,000 of them, gave them away and sold some to small, local galleries. Every now and again–and usually exactly when I need to–I still see one on a car bumper. I couldn’t afford UV coating for them and they eventually fade. I always keep a few with me and when I see a parked car with the faded sticker, I slip a new replacement under the windshield wiper.

As the impact of art on the psyche continues to be explored and understood, it is heartening to witness the field of art therapy evolve as it is.

Its bodes well for art–and for healing.

My partner Kevin Kling has been in Seattle for the past month and a half appearing in his new show, How How Why Why Why at the Seattle Rep Theatre. Its a great show. Only two more weeks; treat yourself if you’re in the area.

I love this poster. Not to worry–the dachshund is actually laying down (not being ‘dropped’,…). Talented SRT graphic designer (and dachshund owner, turns out), Francesca Restrepo, found this great image through a stock agency and created the falling illusion with her design. Brilliant. And whoever you are, Dachshund Photographer, I can’t get enough of this photograph.

Kevin (recent article) comes home for a few days and then heads right back to Seattle for the opening of his Busytown, adpated from Richard Scarry’s children’s book at Seattle Children’s Theater.

We all miss him around here,… can’t wait to have him home to start brainstorming on our next artistic collaboration.

Kevin & Dan

Stay tuned,…

Our dachshund girl, Olive, had two puppy boys three years ago.

The puppy in this photo is now adored by and cared for by Henry and his 12 year old son, Cameron David Allen. This photo reminds me of the profound relationship that Henry and Cameron have.

Cameron was diagnosed with brain cancer 17 months ago. Its been a tough go, but Cameron is a true warrior. I invite you to visit his Caring Bridge site and send him a greeting; wisdom, poems, jokes. His Talky Blogs are a great way to get to know Cameron and his dad.

Olive and I send you strength, warmth and healing, Cameron, Henry & Scott — and Oliver. Thank you for letting us share this journey with you.

We are all One.

The Owl Who Comes
By Mary Oliver

the owl who comes
through the dark
to sit
in the black boughs of the apple tree

and stare down
the hook of his beak,
dead silent,
and his eyes,

like two moons
in the distance,
soft and shining
under their heavy lashes—

like the most beautiful lie—
is thinking
of nothing
as he watches

and waits to see
what might appear,
briskly,
out of the seamless,

deep winter—
out of the teeming
world below—
and if i wish the owl luck,

and I do,
what am I wishing for that other
soft life,
climbing through the snow?

what we must do,
I suppose,
is to hope the world
keeps its balance;

what we are to do, however,
with our hearts
waiting and watching—truly
I do not know.

“Owl” Photograph © 2007 Mary Ludington

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had the good fortune to hear Mary Oliver read her poetry Sunday night at the State Theater in Minneapolis. A friend and I treated another friend, Lisa, to this reading for her birthday. I gave this photograph to Lisa for her birthday last year. I took the photograph several years ago, again at Lisa’s birthday–she invited a raptor specialist to bring several birds to her home for a presentation. I found the negative while I was printing the dog book,… and craved a momentary change of pace.

Mary has also written many poems about her dog, Percy. “The Percy Poems.”

They are worth tracking down.

I found a great blog by two local writers who happened to see Mary Oliver at an event here last spring. QuoinMonkey captured the essence of seeing Mary in person and what she has to say about loving dogs, writing, poetry and being — on her blog, red Ravine.

Thanks, QuoinMonkey and ybonesy, for your thoughts and your lovely blog.

CH TOUCHSTONE’S KATE HEPBURN 4/29/1997 - 4/2/2008

Kate was happy until 2 days ago when a metastatic cancer made itself known.

Bred by Sue and Marty Vick.

Charmed away from Sue by Camille McArdle DVM and went on to be the foundation Basset for Citation’s Bloodhounds and Bassets.

Retirement home with Sue’s sister Cathy Peterson where she has been doted on and adored for her remaining years.

Her siblings are waiting for her.

Mother of CH Citation’s Percodan, “Dan”, who lives with me and my partner, Kevin. Were it not for meeting Kate and making this picture, we would not be blessed with Dan.

Thank you Sue & Marty, Camille and Nancy.

Rest in Peace, Kate.

Our local Animal Humane Society features of one of my (many) favorite images from The Nature of Dogs in the their Spring/Summer issue of their “Animal Tracks” newsletter.

This Irish Terrier, E’rie, owned by Cassia Drake, was a young puppy when this photograph was made. Cassia and I have been involved with our local Earth Dog trial for the past several years. E’rie came along for socializing and I brought my camera that weekend to photograph the wide variety of small terriers (and dachshunds) that participate in this sport.

I wish I had a video of E’rie’s turn in the earthdog den that day. This thoughtful moment, caught in one frame, belies the energy that kept her going 90 mph all weekend.

I prefer to let dogs do what they want to do when I’m shooting. I’ve been asked how I get dogs to be look so peaceful in my photographs. Many of my final image choices are these pensive in-between moments when a dog is thinking about her next move. These authentic, reverent moments are what I most hope to find when I’ve processed the day’s film.

Thanks, Laurie Brickley (editor) and Mike Tincher (designer) for choosing E’rie for this issue’s cover.

Kari Finkler, The Nature of Dogs designer, (& friend, fellow dachsund owner, talented artist) and I share a love for horses as well as dogs. Wanting to put our skills to good use, we’ve just collaborated on a poster for the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue.

“Rescue Me” can be purchased at any of the upcoming MHARF events and all proceeds go directly to the organization. Many horses owe their second chance in life to the dedication of many volunteers and horse-lovers who support the group with time, help and donations.

This has been an especially difficult winter for Minnesota horses. To learn more, see the MHARF website, www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org. If you’re thinking about adopting a horse, have the time and space to foster a horse, want to donate tack to upcoming tack sales, they would love to hear from you.

Kevin Kling and I shared the stage last week with readings for the Twin Cities Animal Humane Society’s Open House. We started the day with a reading to a full house at the Woodbury location and then moved to the Golden Valley location which attracted over 1,000 visitors throughout the day for tours and demonstrations.

Among the attendees were Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak and his wife Megan O’Hara who added our signed books to their book collections. Terry Gydesen took a day off from the campaign trail to attend the event and make this photo of Kevin signing RT’s book. Terry’s Tibetan Terrier, Rosie, is featured in The Nature of Dogs. Terry makes the most breath-taking political photographs I’ve ever seen. As we head into Super Tuesday tomorrow, check out what she’s seen in just the past two weeks. Extraordinary.

My partner Kevin Kling, who recently published The Dogs Says How, was featured in a nice front page feature in yesterday’s Minneapolis Star Tribune. The online version included a short video interview with Kevin that ended with he and I walking our dogs Fafnir and Dan. Olive started the walk but called it at two blocks. (Cold here.) She says she’s fine with being the cover girl on The Nature of Dogs and if “the boys need to be ‘on tv’, then, whatever.” That’s my girl.

Kevin and I will be signing books together this Friday at Barbara’s Books in downtown Minneapolis and at the Humane Society (Woodbury & Golden Valley) on Saturday as part of their celebration of the merging of the five branches. Come join us! It should be up to 5 degrees by then.