Shhhh, this session will be a surprise gift for a lucky groom on his wedding day. If you happen to recognize this sweet bully mug, keep it quiet! We don’t want to ruin the surprise. It took a little bit of scheming (for a good cause, of course!) for Zoe and her Mom to be able to meet me on Mother’s Day for Jewels photo shoot. We had a blast exploring the mansion and grounds. And Jewels had a blast exploring my camera bag full of doggy treats. She worked it for the camera, so the treats were well deserved. 

We’ll start with a family photo of 3 generations. Ha. But seriously, I love how you can see Zoe and her Mom laughing at Jewels antics. Life with a bulldog must be so full of laughter…

Posted in: PetsTags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
add a comment

  • Zoe - So cute!!!

  • Jennie - LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE (yes four were necessary) that last shot 😀 Canvas that!

Thank you to all that entered for a chance to win a handmade, custom-design, COMPLETELY AWESOME collar from Big Doggy Bling. The response was phenomenal. And a huge thank you to Pam for this rad giveaway!

I’ve included a new shot of Lucy’s collar to feature my favorite part about it… the silver buckle! Any collar can be upgraded to include this fabulous mod buckle…. L.O.V.E.

So on to the part you’ve all been waiting for. Random.org has assisted me in choosing a random commenter out of the 95 entries. And the lucky winnerof the free Big Doggy Bling collar is…

 

KARA  !!!!!  And her brand new puppy Isabelle! Isabelle will be starting her life in style. Congrats!

But, there are no losers here! Pam from Big Doggy Bling was so flattered by the response that she has very generously offered a 10% discount for April Ziegler Photography blog readers. Pretty sweet deal. Now you have the perfect excuse to get that collar or harness you had your eye on. Don’t forget, you could also pick up a matching leash!

To score a fancy new collar, harness, or leash at a 10% discount, go to Big Doggy Bling’s Etsy shop and decide on your fabric and style. Do NOT purchase the item on Etsy or the discount cannot be applied. Simply e-mail your items of choice to Pam at pam@bigdoggybling.com and put the code AZMM in the subject line. Pam will work with you to make sure your order is exactly how you envision it. She rocks. Enjoy your new purchases!

Posted in: PetsTags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
add a comment

  • kara - Yay!!! Isabelle is so excited that she’s sleeping 🙂 What more could a 10 week old puppy wish for?!

  • Christy - Congratulations to Kara!

    That’s so sweet of Pam to do. Yay for the 10% discount!
    Thanks April, for bringing Big Doggy Bling to my attention. 🙂

 The Sunday of the 7th Annual John DeBella’s Dog Walk was probably the most ridiculously hot days of the season. So I was pleasantly surprised to see that a good number of people and their pups still came out to enjoy to enjoy all the pet-related fun!

If you had your pup’s photo taken at the Dog Walk, send an e-mail to:  aprilziegler@gmail.com , including the type of dog that you have, and I will pass on the link to your pup’s photo!

Posted in: PetsTags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
add a comment

  • Dana - What a pretty boxer!

  • Doreen Ross - I had a basset hound puppy photos taken and interested in looking to order

This is the first ever giveaway and it’s a good one… If you’re a dog owner, you won’t want to miss this!

We are giving away a handmade, custom-designed collar for your pup, donated by Big Doggy Bling! Click on the link to go to her Etsy site where you will see her many awesome collars, harnesses, and leashes. There are so many cool choices, I had a hard time deciding! I just received Lucy’s collar and Chloe’s harness and I must say… I am in LOVE! Both are beautifully-made, modern, and fun! And they fit perfectly. Pam was wonderful to work with and you can tell that she really puts her heart into her work.

I connected with Pam, owner of Big Doggy Bling, after Bullyfest as she is a bulldog owner herself and an active member of HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue. In fact, she donates a generous portion of all her sales to the rescue, which is so admirable. I want to thank you Pam, for all that you do for HeavenSent, for this AMAZING giveaway, and for outfitting my girls in their radtastic new gear! Read below for contest rules.

I literally gasped when I took Lucy’s collar out of the package. It is stunning…

And though it was impossible to choose a collar for Lucy, I knew right away what I wanted for Chloe. This harness completely suits her punk personality. It couldn’t be more perfect…  

TO ENTER:

To enter, simply browse through Big Doggy Bling’s site and leave a comment here with the collar choice (fabric and/or style) that best represents your pup! To leave a comment, click the ‘add a comment’ link below. Entries are limited to one per person.

However, you can earn extra chances simply by spreading the word about the contest. Post about it on your own blog, Facebook, or Twitter account, linking to www.aprilziegler.com, and you can earn an additional entry for each place that you post. Bonus! So you could earn up to 4 chances to win! Make sure you come back here to leave a separate comment for each to be counted again and link to where you wrote about the contest. Good luck!

A winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, May 14, after 12 p.m. Eastern time!

Posted in: Pets
add a comment

  • Jayme - How fun! Definitely the “I’m Kind Of A Big Deal” collar for my boy. It reminds me of a tie and he is an old man after all, plus it would go nice with his yellow lab fur! 🙂

  • Emilee - I think my Buddy would look dashing the in Burberry style collar (martingale style for my strong boy). There are SO many cute collars. Great giveaway! 🙂

  • mary carstens - ooh…these colors are so nice! i would love one for my maltese, taylor. i love the pink hooters collar!

  • Melissa Skelton - For my pup Levi (an australian shepard) I think that Surfin Safari def. fits his personality! He was born in Atlanta and we got him when we lived up there, now we live in West Palm Beach and he’s become a total beach dog! He used to be scared of the water and now we can’t keep him out of it! Sunday is his favorite day because we take him to the beach for a nice long walk on Sunday mornings … he def. would be stylin with a Surfin Safari collar! So cool 🙂

  • Jen - The caution is perfect for Butler. It gives warning to those he sees that he’s probably going to want to greet you like a madman. But it also reminds me of the dvd for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and that show is hilarious. Fingers crossed!

  • Emilee - I re-tweeted your tweet about the contest ( http://twitter.com/emileefuss/status/1764390116 )! And I want to clarify, I want Buddy to have the “Burberry Meets Houndstooth” martingale collar.

  • aimee - what a great idea – both the blog and the contest! having a hard time deciding on which design i like best, because i love so many of them, plus i have two dogs! but i think my RooRatt would look splendid in “Timeless – Classy Chic.” in size “small”, since she’s a 15 lb Jack Russell!

  • Laia's mum - I think Findley (mutt, not sure what he is, shih tzu something ) needs to show his big bad side, after all he has a big bad sister (boston)..he can’t be left out as the little wimpy man with the my sweet embraceable you collar. It matches his pirate face wonderfully.

  • Amanda - i think nizhoni needs the candy polka dots.

  • aimee - ok, i just posted to Facebook. you are on my friend list, so you should be able to see my status update! i am torn between the “Quiet Birds – Freebirds” and “Timeless – Classy Chic” for my little girl. For my Franklin Moose I’d get “Setting Sail” because I’ve been looking for a great sailing collar for years!

  • amanda - i love the caution tape collar for my boy!

  • aimee - also posted to Twitter. @ultimateaj

  • Amanda - i posted a link to the contest on my blog. now I’m kind of leaning towards the monkey see, monkey do. i’m so bad at decision making!

  • amanda - i posted on my blog http://rmanduh313.blogspot.com/
    another fabric i LOVE is the quiet birds shades of green!!

  • amanda - i posted a bulliten about the contest on myspace. my screen name is Rmanduh so you can search for me and add me then see my posting. i like the I LIKE TURTLES fabric alot too

  • Amanda DeMarree - (added the last name since there were two Amandas) I retweeted too 🙂

  • Nicole - TUCKER definitely likes the “I’m Kindof A Big Deal” Anchorman collar… and here’s why: he IS kindof a big deal, at least in his parents’ eyes. And well, he needs the anchorman bit… because he thinks he’s a big deal, too, and tends to go a lil bit crazy when he sees a squirrel or other furry friend. Plus, his dad is Mr.Prep himself, so this pattern suits them both. Also gorgeous pics of this product– you should do advertising for this company!

  • Nicole - also I tweeted for you 🙂

  • amanda - also posted a thing about this contest on facebook. not sure how to add a link to my profile, but im amanda brooks so i hope you can find me that way. for this link ill go for the money see monkey do fabric 🙂

  • Sarah B - My big boy, English Bulldog, Chewy would look so handsome in “My Sweet Embraceable You”. He likes to keep his tough guy appearance, but is a real softy! He just celebrated his 2nd Birthday last week and would be so excited to get a new collar!

  • Julie - So hard to decide- they are all so cute!! They look adorable on your kids!! I think the French Picnic (in the martingale style) for my girl Cali would be super cute. Love your photos!!

  • Bernadette - Love this April!! Those collars rock! I think Kia definitely needs one…a small Quiet Birds – Freebirds.

  • mary - Pepper (our catahoula leopard dog) would look great in the my sweet embraceable you collar. She looks like such a tough dog but she is anything but and i think she would look hysterical in this badass collar!

  • Donna - Hi April — awesome giveaway! I think Lexie needs “My Sweet Embraceable You” — goes with her personality since she is my “little lover” who loves to give kisses to everyone!

  • Jennifer Stewart - I love the surfin’ safari one! My puppy loves it when we hit the beaches of southern California in the summers! Thanks for the chance!!!
    -10oneworld on Etsy

  • Gordon - Porter is definitely A Big Deal…and that’s why he needs an I’m Kind Of A Big Deal – Adjustable Anchorman collar. The little guy barely weighs 20 lbs, but he has to let everyone know he’s in the neighborhood, and if any other dogs–regardless of how big they are–come into view, they have to say “hi” to him or they won’t hear the end of it until they’re long gone.

    Case in point, my latest photo of him (he’s the schnauzer creeping up on the unsuspecting dog outside a store).

  • Christieandtheheathens - Wow, your photography is beautiful! I always wanted to get a snauzy and name him clause….Im strange I know!

  • Michelle - I’m entering for my sister’s spoiled rotten little shorky. Bella would be a true diva in the “quiet birds follow the sun collar.”

  • Lindsey - For Kylie, Monkey See, Monkey Do is a perfect fit. We always call her our little monkey – she’s always climbing and jumping. She uses her paws like hands. She loves bananas and she’s super smart.

  • diane haekwy - I love the red retro/build your own bling collar. They are all beautiful.

  • Carley Park (terriersx2 on WOOF) - My Boston Gemma has become a bit of a collar junkie!! She would look amazing in the hOOters collar! I love the pink and the owl design! Very cool site!!

  • Rose Ann Griggs - Love the Timeless-Classy Chic….would look wonderful on my sweet little girl Boston!

  • Melissa Kay - My dog Biscuit definitely needs the turtle color. She’s so shy, it would be perfect for her! Those are all fabulous collars!

  • Emilee - I blogged – http://www.emileefuss.com/blog. The contest has had a really great response so far! Awesome! 🙂

  • Kristy - Olivia would love great in the POSIES frilly dog collar.

  • Chris - Great photos! You do amazing work! My Trixie is also kind of a punky kind of girl (must be the boston in her). She would look great in the My Sweet Embraceable You side release buckle collar (in a small).

  • Emily Beaty - ‘It Had To Be You’ would look adorable on my girlie girl, Rylie. 🙂 Very cute dog accessories!!

  • Kelly - Such a hard decision because Big Doggy Bling’s stuff is so darn cute! I think for my Boston, even though I call him my little monkey so I love the green monkey designs, I would have to choose the My Sweet Embraceable You design and he is a puller, so a harness. Looking like a tough guy is key for my little man, who often gets called a girl.

  • Sarah S - I love the Quite Birds Returned To The Lake collar that you posted pictures of, they are all gorgeous though!

  • Erika G. - Amazing photography! My Boston terrier Trevor would look quite stunning in the Hearts Bones n Polka Dots in black, medium size.

  • Allison - Willie would look dashing in the “I’m kind of a big deal” collar! LOVE it 🙂 All of these are so fantastic – Great idea!

  • Ciara Davis - i deffinately love the “Quite Birds Returned to the Lake” for my meso. 🙂

  • Kevin Speece - My little girl Queenie (Shes a English Bulldog) would love the punky “My Sweet Embraceable You” its just her style

  • claire - what a totally cool contest. i LOVE giveaways, and i love her shop! i gotta say i’m a fan of the bird prints, probably the quiet birds/free birds is my fave.
    thanks for putting this on april!

  • 'nette - my new little adopted girl “mookie” says she would love the same collar as chloe….the red birds look so stunning on the sky blue background…and then mommy would be “forced” to buy her brothers the blue birds on the green background…. all the collars look really professional & i love the variety of patterns to choose from…. we have been looking for something really fun and “summery” ….the birds are perfect….

  • Mike - My Golden Retriever, Abby, would really go for the Timeless – Classy Chic’ Dog Collar. It would fit her personality perfectly.

  • Kirsty - Love the collars, Leo would look great in one. Love the Pics too nice photography.

  • kelly - So cute! Rusty would look so fancy in the “I’m Kind of a Big Deal” adjustable anchorman.

  • Missy - My oldest dog Grace fits this collar to a T ! Grace was originally named Kelly by the folks at the human society. We changed her name to Grace Kelly b/c my daughters name was Kelly. Grace Kelly fits this dog, she has been the sweetest and hands down the best dog anyone could ever want. She is regal in her looks, but this large Dane/Lab mix is as laid back as they come !! There is not a mean bone in her body and if a dog ever deserved diamonds it is this wonderful girl !!

  • Judy G. - Tucher would look great in the Hot Flames collar, martingale style, probably XL since he is now a big elephant!

  • Janine C - I saw your post on woof! and would love to enter this contest, what beautiful collars! we have a little 13 lb Boston terrier named Marzipan who would look dazzling in “Quiet Birds Homecoming – Shades of Green.” She’d be a size small, I think her neck is around 12 or so inches. Thanks!!

  • Sarah - Lucy is so pretty, the blue is perfect with her coat

  • sara - Our 1 year old Boston Terrier Iggy Pup is such a goof ball – a harness in the blue “more fun than a barrel of monkeys” would be so perfect for him. He’s just a huge goofball who has really brought a lot of joy to our lives. Thanks for such a great giveaway!

  • sara - post on twitter to spread the word: http://twitter.com/DIYSara/statuses/1769615350

  • DaZed - Oh my goodness, I love your photography.

    The collar is perfect; the harness adorable. Complete punkish on your boston.

    I love The Summer of 42… it would look perfect on DaZy..since she’s a older gal with such a frosty face and pootched out belly. If she was a human (instead of thinking she is, like all bostons do), I’d say she would be one of those lovely chubby ladies on the beach!

    Yup, that one is perfect for my DaZy.

  • Allison W - Lizzy would look absolutely adorable in Timeless-Classic Chic collar. It would look great with her brown fur. I love pink and brown together

  • jewelz - My pup Vader would look great in the little green monkey martingale collar because he is my silly monkey, beautiful photos! 🙂

  • Danielle - My new baby Darla (an English Bulldog) would look absolutely adorable in the “Under the Lovely Palm” collar. Its perfect for the warm summer weather thats coming! 🙂

  • Ann - Our dog Pupcake would look super cute in the I LIKE TURTLES collar. Although I think she LOVES them more than she LIKES them. 😉

  • Li W. - Those are awesome. Would these work for cats?!

  • Jennie - It took me this long to get over here to enter! I would LOVE to put that gorgeous “Twitter Lover” collar on my bear bear. I also tweeted yesterday 🙂

  • celine - My Stella already had two sets designed by Pam – but that does not prevent her from desperately needing another! We especially love the “Quiet birds homecoming” since it reminds us of our days at the cottage – one of our favorite places to chill and sunggle under warm blankets. We have hummingbirds that come right up to our window. And I think THEY would love to see their counterparts around a beautiful bulldog neck.

  • Kara - Isabelle would be always a bridesmaid :0) She’s crazy like those colors!

  • Jill Manson - Well the Summer of 42 martingdale collar has my furry little bulldog daughter Jersey Girl’s name written all over it. The bigger size ladies in the bathing suits reminds me of her! Hey all of us big girls in the world need some love too! It just reminded me of her when I put her little bathing suit on her with her big belly and butt hanging out. So cute ~ so Jersey! She can wear it when she is lounging in her pool or running along the beach. Such the little bathing beauty just like the women on the collar 🙂

  • Lauren - I would love to enter to win the Monkey Business dog collar. Great giveaway!

  • Lauren - I also posted on my blog: http://lelizrn.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/great-giveaway-for-dog-owners/.

  • Robin - It’s the Quiet Birds Homecoming collar for us. The selection is amazing and I love that you can create a custom collar.

  • greta, smitten - SOOOOOOOOO cute!! i think i’m gonna have to buy one of these if i don’t win! 🙂 our pup outgrew his collar and the new one we bought him is too big! burberry meets houndstooth is my pick!

  • Kim Wolf - I like “Quiet Birds: Follow the Sun” in the harness style. It’s perfect for my pug, Mary Todd Lincoln, because she’s anything but quiet , but she loves to sunbathe!

  • Christy - How cute! My “kids” only wear harnesses. I’m not sure if she makes the collar designs into harnesses though. It’s hard to pick just 1. 😉 The Hooters design is adorable. I also love the I’m Kind of a Big Deal and the Posies one. 🙂

  • Christy - I also posted on FB! http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=613416279&ref=profile

  • Vanessa - I think my Sasha would love “High Tech Polka Dots”! You’re awesome 🙂

  • Vanessa - I also posted on my blog http://blog-bandwagon.blogspot.com/

  • Vanessa - And posted on Facebook too http://www.facebook.com/JeffDunham?ref=mf#/profile.php?id=712415580&ref=nf

  • Emily~ DreamEyce - I love the leopard print set! Galaxy wants the martingale collar! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23930623

    I’ve faved that shop, and will be visiting after I’m recovered from my recent vacation!

  • Kay Sivel - My Chinese Crested hairless, Kylee is sleek and delicate looking, but feisty and bold in attitude! I think the pink velvet with leopard print collar is just perfect for her! Bold, yet sweet. Thanks! Kay & Ky

  • Christy - I posted on my blog too!
    http://lovelaughterfriendship.blogspot.com/2009/05/want-to-win-free-collar-for-your-pup.html

    Okay I’m done now. 😉

  • Amber H - Wow, love the collars. Even if I don’t win, I will have to order one. Roxy would look great in the Quiet Birds – Shades of Green – Dog Collar. She is a brindle boxer and kind of a diva (sleeps in our bed, sits on your lap when watching tv, etc). I think the feminine, yet understated design of the quiet birds would suit her well.

  • Michele M - I love the My Sweet Embracable You harness!! It totally fits my Smooth Fox Terror (yes I said terror) Blaze. He is a lover that’s for sure!! It’s so hard to pick just one though. All of her designs are awesome!!

  • Michele M - Posted on my facebook too!! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=503310808&ref=profile

  • Pam Scherzer - I LOVE reading all these comments ! I’ll be at work when the winner is announced, but I’ll try to sneak a peek !!
    I wonder who the winner will be !!

  • Peggy Mendte - Hi, I’m Molly’s Mom (Tristan’s Grandmom) and my Schaunzer Bogey would look dashing in the burberry styled collar. He is such a classy pup, I’m sure this would add the perfect posh finish to his style. THANKS! My daughter Molly is also posting the link for the giveaway on her twitter and facebook.

  • Cindy - Our Bulldog, Ugly Betty would look Beautiful in “My Sweet Embraceable You” harness! My husband is a big Biker looking dude and takes Betty with him everywhere he goes. He doesn’t like the frilly collars and leashes that I have for our Bulldog puppy, Lola. This would be perfect for him and Betty. I was at Bullifest and saw some of the collars and harnesses, absolutely gorgeous!

  • Peggy Mendte - Hi –
    My daughter posted the link on her facebook : http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=56601719&ref=profile

  • Peggy Mendte - My daughter posted this link to her twitter account : http://twitter.com/mollymuehling – Thanks April! And thanks for the great pictures of our grandpup! We will be ordering some with Molly’s order!

  • megan morris - Ahahahahaha! How cute. Abigail, my Shepherd Collie, would look FAB sporting the “Summer of 42” collar this season. It is oh so chic and tres cool for panting her way through the long, hot summer! woof!

  • Jessica - My lhasapoo Annabelle would look so pretty in “lots and lots of polka dots”. The pink and other bright colors would look so stunning against her black fur. What cool products and what great photos April took of them!

  • Megan Morris - Hi – Added a link to my twitter account! http://twitter.com/maddyjackkat

  • Stephanie - Oh what fun April. Tito would be big pimpin in “I’m kind of a big deal collar”

  • Kim Hicks - Love your pictures..they’re amazing!! After much thought, I think Scout would look good in the My Sweet Embraceable You collar, she too has a punk/tomboy side and would look pretty good in this collar.

  • Gianna Aikman - I have a new english bullie who will be home soon – Zeeva is a spitfire who is a dark brindle girl who would look beautiful in any of the nice vibrant Alway’s a Bridesmaid colors!! April – love your work – can’t wait to meet you in person!! Would love to get pictures of my bullies!!

  • Gordon - Just posted about the contest (http://twitter.com/gordon_ryan/status/1795305561) and this site (http://twitter.com/gordon_ryan/status/1795292278) on Twitter. As I said before, my tenacious manly-man of a schnauzer would look quite smashing in the “Im Kind Of A Big Deal – Adjustable Anchorman” collar.

  • Gordon - Also posted a link on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=96861416088&h=4BlkD&u=VFBPG&ref=mf)! There will of course be a photo shoot featuring Porter in all his Anchor Man awesomeness should he win. Being a schnauzer, he’s got a rockin’ mustache already, so he’s almost there!

  • Tori - I love the “I’m Kind of a Big Deal collar” in the adjustable anchorman design.

  • Zoe - I loooove the burberry meets houndstooth. The houndstooth side would accentuate my Jewelsie’s dark brindle beauty!

  • Jessica - I think the Demure Diva leopard on soft pink dog collar is perfect for my cockerspaniel. She’s not a Demure lady but she thinks she is! She’s definitely a diva though!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, including puppy mommas! I kidded with Kev when he came home with flowers for both of our moms and no flowers for me. Apparently, being a puppy momma is not recognized by everyone.

I started my day doing a session with dark brindle lovebug of a bulldog. I’m convinced that there is no better way to start the day. Underbites and nubbin tails can brighten any mood.

You’ll want to stop back tomorrow for a fun GIVEAWAY on the blog! 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Posted in: My World
add a comment

  • Nicole - what a gorgeous effect here!

  • Sarah B - I agree…there is just no better way to start a day than with a bulldog…they are just rolly-polly balls of love! And you can’t leave out the cute little snorts!