Alfred, a terrier mix, could be ready for a day at the track in his Goorin Brothers plaid driving cap.
words and photographs by Juli Leonard
They came in sizes small and large. Drooly ones and shy ones. Some could barely stand still; others were clearly ready for their close-up. One leapt into my lap between every shot. Another tackled the backdrop.
With a Father’s Day gift assortment of beautiful ties, hats, and scarves on hand, the challenge was interesting: How to match each item with its best canine model? This was no small task.
One of the challenges was figuring out which dogs were willing and able to wear a hat – and also had the right-shaped head. It turns out no dog has the right-shaped head. Then there was the Hat Sinking Factor. This, I learned, is when the hat-wearing dog sinks lower and lower with the most mournful look…until the offending chapeau finally falls right off.
Portrait shoots with dogs – with or without hats and ties – require a well-honed checklist. The right treats (did you know some dogs are grain-free?!); Towels for wiping drool; A squeaky toy with just the right pitch of squeak; A sense of humor; A quick finger. Plenty of advance rehearsals of my monkey coo are also important. I need to be able to tease out the perfect head tilt.
Amazingly, it all came together. It was interesting to see how the dogs began to emerge as anthropomorphized human characters. Transformed by a hat, one became a golfer; another’s bowtie made him a dead-ringer for a dapper Brooklynite. And all of them allowed us our laughter and our typecasting – all for one simple thing – a cookie.
Rosie, a pug, charms with a pink and black striped bowtie.
Ralphie, a Bullmastiff in a striped Robert Jensen necktie, just might have a bridge to sell you.
Charlie, a mix of dachshund, beagle, and “something fluffy,” is trustworthy in a cotton bowtie from Lumina Clothing.
Boomer, a yellow labrador retriever, is ready for the weekend in an Outdoor Research trucker hat.
Argos, a weimaraner, is a hit with the ladies in his feathers from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry.
Barney, a boykin spaniel, goes courtin’ in striped green seersucker.
Nela, a Rhodesian ridgeback, just might throw back a craft beer or two in a hipster navy straw fedora by Milani.
Linwood, a terrier mix in a striped bow tie by Tie Bar, looks ready for a spot of croquet.
Tiny, a Brussels griffon, is spiffy in a bowtie made from real feathers.
Winnie, a vizsla pup, couldn’t be sweeter in old-fashioned indigo cotton.
Nuru, a great dane, considers the possibilities of a vintage red fedora.
Stella, an American Pit Bull Terrier, is ready for a night on the town.
Thanks to our retail sources: Bailey’s Fine Jewelry; Edge of Urge; Great Outdoor Provision Co.; Kannon’s Clothing; Lumina Clothing.
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