Amy Straka Photography »

This was the most DIFFICULT CHOICE!  Everyone has such beautiful little pets with the most adorable stories!  Of course, everyone that entered gets 50% off their pet session, which includes your engagement or family session as long as  your furry friend gets some time in the spotlight!

Everyone meet Cleo, the beautiful pup of my December 2008 couple, Ashley & TG Baughan!

“Well, I’d like for you to meet ” Cleo” short for “Cleopatra.” She is a miracle puppy! Let me tell you a little about her story. When we first
picked up Cleo, she had pneumonia! After waking up one morning she wouldn’t stop shaking and crying. I rushed her to the animal hospital and after a very long day and many IV’s and much medicine she slowly started to recover. We later found out that she was born from a puppy mill! The humane society rescued 72 dogs from the false breeder a few days later. She has been the biggest blessing in my life! The funniest thing she’s ever done is climb the baby gate! I put her behind it and next thing you know she was in the same room as me again! We caught her in the action in the attached photo! Cleo has been through  A LOT! She was diagnosed with a portosystemic liver shunt at 6 months old. She needed to have a major surgery to shut off the shunt or else she didn’t have very long to live. We rushed her to the University of Tennessee to have the procedure done and she actually had trouble recovering from the anesthesia and was in the ICU for 5 days! We are very grateful for her survival! She has more energy and more personality now then ever! She is truly a princess and a fabulous puppy! She can sit, lay down, roll over, shake, and “beg”- stand on her hind legs- all on demand. She got her name, “Cleopatra” because my family is obsessed with Shakespear! Our dog while growing up was “Macbeth” and my sisters dog is “Ophilia.” She is the perfect pup for your pet photography contest!”

Here is another that came a super, duper close second, adorable!

My upcoming September bride, Tracy, submitted this adorable photo of her baby Maggie!  Interesting info about Tracy, she is going to be a vet, and her last name is Petzke.  How could you not take your dog to a vet named Dr. Petzke?  ADORABLE!

“Maggie is an almost 11 year old Golden Retriever who often acts like she is only two. Looking at the white rings around her eyes I can still see the pudgy puppy that stole my heart so many years ago and got into lots of mischief and would do “heat laps” around the house and yard to try and wear off some of her unending energy. Hands down my favorite thing to do with her is take her to the southwest Michigan beaches. As soon as you ask her, “Do you want to go to the beach” she will not sit still and is pacing back and forth demanding I hurry as I try to get towels, leash, and everything together and goes from window to window the entire car ride. Once at our favorite state park beach, the pure joy she displays is contagious. Everything from tearing down the sand dune to getting that first feel of the water and chasing the first thrown stick is like it’s the first time. No matter how bad my day was or whatever worries I had, they all disappear when I see the smile (yes, it actually looks like a smile) on her face and how something so simple can bring pure joy. Maggie’s taught me how to enjoy the simple joys of life, be a constant loving friend, and reinforced many of the reasons I am becoming a veterinarian.”

There are so many more that I can’t even post them all!  For now, here is an entry that came in from a fellow photographer, and of course, the photo is adorable!  Check out the cutie, Layla!  Holly, the Lady & the Lens, shared an adorable photo of her fam!

“Layla is a puggle who likes to snuggle! Her favorite toy is a skunk and she love Rachel Ray food. She likes long walks on the beach and pees like a boy.Everytime I yawn she copies me.She helps me get through the day by sitting in my chair with me asI work and dances/howls/sings with me in the kitchen.  She’s my little girl, shes my everything!”

Remember, everyone that entered gets a half price pet session, and the top winner, Cleo, gets a free pet session with a $150 print credit!  Next time you are up for your visit, you have some mad credits to cash in, Ashley!  Bring that cutie!