Meet the Paws Project Dogs: JUNE
The Paws Project Calendar is about more than photographs. It’s about dogs, their stories, and using creativity to give back. Each month, I’ll be sharing the dogs featured in the calendar and a small insight into their lives.
A heartfelt thank you to every dog who took part and helped raise over $1800 for Ellie’s Canine Rescue through their involvement in the project.
Read on to meet June’s dogs and learn a little more about each of them…
MONTY & WILLOW
Breed: Welsh Springer Spaniels
Age: 8 years, 7 years
Where did you get your dogs from?
Monty was rehomed to his family at just under two years old. His owner had started looking at Welsh Springer Spaniels and heard of a couple in Lower Hutt who had two up for rehome, and got in touch with them.
Willow came to the family at the same time, at nine months old.
What's their personality like in a few words?
Monty is a grumpy grandpa, though he does enjoy meeting people and getting plenty of attention. He does not do well being left alone.
Willow is bonded to her owner and is a little sweetie: playful, gentle, and snuggly. She likes her nose scratched.
Do they have any funny quirks or habits?
Monty's signature move is claiming the driver's seat of the car and requiring a bribe to vacate it. He also takes the spot right by the pillow on the bed and refuses to budge, lying there like a human and growling if anyone tries to shift him.
Willow particularly loves having her nose scratched and will place her mouth softly on a person's hand as a form of comfort, for herself and, it seems, for them too.
NOVA & MANUKA
Breed: Standard Poodles
Age: 3 years, 4 years
Where did you get him from and how old was he when you got him?
Nova was four years in the making. A pedigree girl from a breeder in Gore, her show name was very nearly "About Damn Time" – the dog her owner had been waiting for. She is registered as Supernova, with Nova chosen as her everyday name. The family made the trip all the way down to pick her up at nine weeks old.
Manuka came from a poodle breeder at nine weeks old.
How would you describe his personality in a few words?
Nova is noisy, opinionated, and into absolutely everything. Sitting still is not her strong suit, and she loves attention. She knows when she is looking particularly beautiful, especially in the show ring with a large sparkly collar.
Manuka is goofy and cuddly. He does not take anything particularly seriously and operates entirely on his own schedule.
Does he have any funny quirks or habits?
Nova's favourite activity is licking toes, and she considers the furniture parkour equipment rather than somewhere to sit.
Manuka occasionally chases his tail and has a habit of catching his lip on his tooth when playing fetch.
TED
Breed: German Shorthaired Pointer
Age: 3 years
Where did you get him from and how old was he when you got him?
Ted came from a breeder at three months old. The sisters in the litter had all been sold quickly, leaving plenty of boys to choose from. When his family went to a park to meet them, five-year-old Paige found it all a bit overwhelming. Ted quietly separated himself and came to sit beside her, patiently waiting until she was ready to say hello. That was how they knew he was their dog.
How would you describe his personality in a few words?
Ted thinks he is human. He can be a bit crazy at times, but he is also the kind of dog who will pull out a dining chair and take a seat at the table. Not to eat. Just to be present.
Does he have any funny quirks or habits?
He got a sweatshirt recently and has not taken it off since.
BANDIT & ROXY
Breed: Huntaway X, Border Collie X
Age: 7 years, 2 years
Where did you get your dogs from?
Bandit came from Wellington City Council Animal Services at eleven months old.
Roxy also came from Wellington City Council Animal Services, at eight months old.
What's their personality like in a few words?
Bandit is happy-go-lucky, calm, and independent. His pack walkers at Pooched describe him as having "a calm and wise presence and a source of comfort in the pack."
Roxy is adventurous, smoochy, and very interested in being involved in absolutely everything. Her pack walkers describe her as combining "curiosity with playfulness, infectious energy, growing in confidence in her surroundings."
Do they have any funny quirks or habits?
On walks, Bandit likes to leave his mark everywhere and always plots the fastest route home, pulling towards whichever street leads back. He loves off-leash adventures, especially at the beach where he digs in the sand, chases his ball, and collects sticks. He also rolls on his back on the grass at the park, steals your spot on the sofa, and gets genuinely excited every time he sees the ocean, even though he cannot actually swim. He helpfully lets the household know when it is dinner time.
Roxy sleeps with her tongue out when she is relaxed and, being quite slim, wears her pyjamas in winter. She is obsessed with birds, all kinds of birds, and will run full tilt after them into absolutely anything in the way. She never gets them. She also thinks she is a sous chef, loves most fruit and vegetables (especially carrots), tears through the bush like a wild dog, and delivers an exceptional side eye. She is more like a cat, really.
Meeting and documenting these dogs has been such a privilege!
If you’re dreaming about documenting your own dog in a way that feels true to them, you can find more information about about my photography sessions here.
Thanks again to June’s dogs (and their humans) for being part of the Paws Project and helping support local rescue dogs.
