Meet the Paws Project Dogs: October
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 October’s dogs and learn a little more about each of them…
Willow
Breed: Heading dog x lab x whippet x border collie
Age: 5
Where did you get her from and how old was she when you got her?
Willow arrived as a stray from the Ruapehu district, somewhere between six and eight months old at the time, though looking back she may have been a little younger than she seemed.
How would you describe her personality in a few words?
Willow is a sleek, lean, ball-obsessed working dog type through and through. Brainy, energetic, and happiest when she has a job to do, she demonstrates all the typical heading dog traits. She is also a good mix of high energy and laziness, able to sprint after a ball for what feels like miles before settling into full couch potato mode.
Does she have any funny quirks or habits?
Willow did not wag her tail for the first six months. She was comfortable enough around people and other dogs and knew not to go to the toilet inside, but did not show affection. That has changed, and it comes regularly now. Her nickname, Willow Pillow, was earned through her devoted love of pillows and cushions, which she hunts out and sleeps on wherever she can find them.
Bandit
Breed: Boxer x Pitbull x American Bulldog
Age: 2
Where did you get him from and how old was he when you got him?
Bandit came from the SPCA at five months old.
How would you describe his personality in a few words?
Bandit is curious and wonderfully quirky.
Does he have any funny quirks or habits?
Bandit cannot sleep without the cats. He has two cat best friends who sleep with him every single night, either seeking him out or waiting for him to come to them. He has three beds of his own. The cats have their own beds too. None of this matters. Wherever Bandit is, the cats are there.
Lucy & Bella
Breed: Australian Koolie x French bulldog; Border Collie x Smithfield
Age: 3 and 1
Where did you get your dog from?
Lucy came from Trade Me at twelve weeks old, in the aftermath of the Napier floods. Her previous family had lost everything.
Bella was not planned. Her family had gone to Chance4Change looking at a blue heeler, but out came a small black fluffy thing instead. Lucy, who is quite particular about other dogs, was won over when Bella brought her a ball to show her. Bella had been found on the street at four weeks old, emaciated, with no fur and covered in fleas.
What's their personality like in a few words?
Lucy is very sensitive and gentle.
Bella is a chatterbox, full of energy, and not afraid to make her feelings known.
Do they have any funny quirks or habits?
Lucy is a very quiet dog unless it is 5pm, at which point she stations herself in the kitchen next to the fridge and barks at her food station with genuine conviction.
Bella will backchat, say what she needs to say, and if you are not paying her enough attention she will jump up to nose level to correct that. She also chomps her jaws together when she has something to communicate, and is a committed counter-surfer.
Noodle
Breed: Dachshund
Age: 3
Where did you get your dogs from?
Noodle came from a woman in Levin whose own dogs had a litter, joining his family as a young puppy.
What's their personality like in a few words?
Noodle is naughty, nervous, and cuddly.
Do they have any funny quirks or habits?
Noodle’s very nervous and he’ll jump if a leaf looks at him the wrong way, or a bin makes a noise. Most of the time he spends wrestling or snuggling with his brother, Clooney. Those are his main hobbies.
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 October’s dogs (and their humans) for being part of the Paws Project and helping support local rescue dogs.
