Working with Morris, the Cookie Factor.

It is probably a good thing that Morris got 'treats' or dog 'cookies' from some of his favorite 'little' people.

Today we had to go out and do 'the wrap' photos for the end of his seventh book.

Thank goodness we didn't get snow, so the photos will look no different than those that I shot at the end of October when I began this project.

I must admit I hit a few writing snags here and there until I realized I just needed to let the characters take me along.

I got the stuffed animals lined up just so and then called the Star Morris in....

He immediately sniffed out the dog treat and then trotted off to smell something interesting on the deer trail.  I am pretty sure it was more like deer pellets.

I called him again and held another chunk of treat in my hand.

"SIT!"  I commanded.

He sat.

On top of the toys, tossing them this way and that.

Well, at least I now had his attention.

After a few more attempts the toys were set up, and Morris was starting to pay attention.

Sort of.

His mind really wasn't on working, but he did perk up any time I mentioned 'cookie'!

We got the job done and then enjoyed a stroll on the hillside.

In the house, he loves his toys, he shakes them and tosses them all around.

But in order for me to get him to pay attention to them while out in the woods...on set...so to speak, I need to have plenty of treats.

I think now I am prepared to get ready to write the last chapter.

Note to self.

Next time, make sure my pocket is full of treats!

Working with Morris as a model

I took a short walk to the creek today to get some early afternoon light on the rocks and the green moss, and hoped to bribe Morris into some posing for 'his' upcoming book.

Getting him to pose isn't really very easy.  He is so interested in everything that he can smell and being a Jack Russell, he is rarely still for a portrait.
I brought along some dog cookies and pretty much just hoped for the best. 

My best friend in this sort of situation is a digital camera that can take rapid fire photos.
Here Morris does stay still long enough while I ask him if 'he'd like a cookie'.  His response was immediate. 
I asked for a 'sit' and got a half-sit, but that was okay for my purposes.

I put the toy frog on a rock and then stepped back across the creek to pick up the camera only to find Morris back checking things out.

I had to act quick and hope that I would get something that I could use for the book.

I got several shots in quickly before Morris decided that the toy was nothing he really wanted.  In the woods he rarely touches any toy if I set it down.  He will however go up and sniff at it, but he has yet to take it and play with it.

We spent about a half hour wandering around and taking photos.  
Morris stuck very close to me.  That may be due to the fact that we have spotted a silver wolf in our area, but I can't really tell.

Today's shoot was a success, I did come away with some shots ... with editing, that will work nicely in the book!