Canon Professional Services - Landscape Event

Canon 5Ds + Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II 

On Tuesday 29 November 2016, I happily attended a special Canon Professional Services Landscape Event at Durlston Country Park, Swanage. We were allowed to bring a guest so I brought me best mate Liz along. It was a long drive for us, around three hours there and then another three hours back, but we love a good road trip. Especially when photography is involved. Not only was photography involved but we got to play with some new kit as well. That's always a bonus.

We were greeted with coffee/tea and cakes, treated to displays of gear from Canon, Manfrotto and Lee Filters and enjoyed a talks by Canon Explorer David Norton and Professional Photographer Jon Gooding. A bit later we were given a light lunch and then later in the evening treated to a proper hot dinner. They took very good care of us. :-)

Canon 5Ds + Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II

 There was gear from Canon of course as well as Manfrotto and Lee Filters. I've got a nice basic selection of Lee Filters already as well as Manfrotto tripods and heads so I was more interested in the new Canon gear. Specifically the new Canon 5D IV and 5Ds/r DSLR cameras, and the super wide angle lenses. Canon 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye Lens and 11-24mm f/4L. Of these I managed to get my hands on the Canon 5Ds and the Canon 11-24mm f/4L, but not at the same time. I really wanted the lens first as by the time we swapped gear around I knew it'd be dark, but that wasn't to be, I got the camera first. Two photos above were some of the first photos I took with it. Later I photographed sunset with it.

Canon 5Ds + Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L

The Canon 5Ds is a 50 megapixel full frame camera. I'm not a technical person so I'm not going to go into the spec details, apologies if you came here for that. If you are interested it's easy enough to look up, especially when I made you a handy link to click on above. :-)

I only had the camera for a short amount of time and didn't really have time to put it through it's paces. But what little time I spent with it was enough to fall in love. The camera was already familiar to me as I own both the Canon 5D II and 5D III cameras. It's pretty much set up just like the 5D III, button wise, and I had no problems controlling the camera or finding my way around.

The 5D III is a 22.3 megapixel camera and the 5Ds is a whopping 50.6 megapixel camera! Much larger files means larger prints and more image definition. Again, I'm not going to go into the technical details, these are just the basics. But say you printed an image from the 5D III @ 300dpi you'd get roughly a 19 x 13 inch print. With the 5Ds you'd get roughly a 29 x 19 inch print. I did my best not to drool all over the camera.

Canon 5D mark II + Canon 70-200mm f2.8L

I shot with a 50 megapixel camera a few years ago, in a studio situation. It was a medium format Hasselblad. I'm in love with that camera too. OK, I confess, I'm in love with a lot of cameras. :-) Wish I could have had the Canon 5Ds and the 5D IV for a few days to test under more controlled conditions, but I have to make do with what I can get my hands on. :-)

My thoughts on the 5Ds, I love it. I am seriously thinking about retiring my Canon 5D II and replacing it with the 5Ds. Not only for the image quality and size but because the controls are the same as my 5D III. When you are shooting with two cameras it helps if their buttons are all in the same places and the controls the same. I often get confused between my 5D II and 5D III cameras. As for the 5D IV which I did't get to play with, yes I want, but I'll have to wait for the price to drop a bit before I can afford it. It's very rare for me to run out and buy the latest gear, I have to be a bit more frugal.

On to the night time shoot..

Canon 5D mark III + Canon 11-24mm f/4L with a hint of  the Milky Way.

There were two shooting groups for the evening which we were suppose to all get a chance at, but there was some confusion and Liz and I missed out on nearly all of one of them. There was photographing the night sky and light painting. We only caught the tail end of the light painting group before they packed up for the evening. Shame we missed that, but I have done light painting more than I've done night sky shooting so I went for that first.

For the evening shoots I borrowed the Canon 11-24mm f/4L lens, which is a fabulous lens and one I've been drooling over. Yes I know, I drool so much I should wear a bib. What's so special about the super wide angle 11-24mm zoom? Well it doesn't have all the distortion that other wide angle lenses do. It's not to everyone's taste though, as Liz says, that takes all the fun out!

Canon 5D mark III + Canon 11-24mm f/4L

Using this lens at night really wasn't a great test for the lens, but it's when I could get my hands on it. I still enjoyed using it though. It's definitely on my drool list. Oops I mean want list! I can just about justify it as a business expense so I might eventually get one. I can think of several shoots I have coming up that it sure would be handy on. I'm thinking especially large group shots, like at events and weddings. It has a hefty price tag though, so might take me awhile to save up for it.

Canon 5D mark III + Canon 11-24mm f/4L with a hint of  the Milky Way.

I've been to a few Canon Professional Services Network meetings, and I always enjoy myself. I highly recommend them if you are a CPS or CPN member. This one was exceptionally nice as they fed us and provided us with lots of coffee and cake! I also really liked being able to check out the gear to try in the field. I did already know most of the information given in the talks but it was a nice refresher and provided some much needed inspiration to get out there and do some more landscape photography, both during the day and night.

Here are a few photos from my phone of the event:

We were greeted with cake and coffee! :-D 

The Canon Table (First venue, there was more gear at second venue)

Manfrotto Table (First venue, there was more gear at second venue)

Lee Filter Table (First venue, there was more gear at second venue)

One of the talks at the first venue.

The Canon 5Ds I had on loan, they teased me by putting a 5D IV strap on it. 

Back of the Canon 5Ds

If you are a professional photographer and have a lot of pro Canon gear, I highly recommend signing up with the Canon Professional Services Network. Especially if you enjoying attending free network meetings like I attended above.

Happy shooting!

America is better than this....

I'm late to the table on this subject as I've been busy and away. But I must say this. What Donald Trump said about trying to bed a married woman and how he can get away with groping and kissing women because he's "a star" is without a doubt unacceptable behavior. It is without a doubt sexual harassment. I do not know any men who talk this way. Certainly not my Father or brothers or husband. And I don't know anyone who'd like their wives, daughters, mothers, sisters etc talked about in this way much less groped and kissed by him or anyone in that manner.

Some of the things you can hear him bragging about on the recording:

“I did try and fuck her. She was married. “

“I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married. “

About a woman nearby he said this, remember, he's a married man. “Yeah, that’s her, with the gold. I’ve got to use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her. You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. I just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything. “

I'm not making this up, you can hear him say these things in his own voice. And he's not denied it either. He has shrugged it off as 'Locker Room Banter'. 

When he made those statements in 2005 he was 59 years old and he was newly married to his current and third wife Melania (January 2005) and I understand she was pregnant at the time. As I don't know the exact date of recording I can't confirm that, but it was close as their Son Barron was born in March of 2006.

The year before in 2004 in an interview with Howard Stern he agreed that his daughter Ivanka Trump was a “piece of ass”. He's also said several times in interviews on TV and radio how sexy his daughter is and how he'd date her if he could. That's no way for a father to talk about his daughter. I don't care who you are. I know for sure my Father would not be comfortable with this and neither would the father of my daughters or any father that I know. No respectable father would be.

All of this is objectifying women and making sexual harassment a normal and OK thing to do. This is all unacceptable behavior for a roll model for our children. We can not allow this to become the norm, we can do better than this. We are better than this. America is better than this. 

The real kicker here? The majority of his supporters who think this is acceptable behavior and have been defending him, they claim to be Christians. How exactly does that work?


PS.... (Added 11 October, 2016)

I don't want to live in a world where this is the norm, and it deeply saddens me that I know so many people that think this is perfectly acceptable. But I don't hate them and I don't love them any less and I don't treat them with disdain. .... But they do me.

9/11

(9 September 2001)

I had just flown to England a few days before 9/11. I was visiting my friend Peter in the small(ish) town of Stroud in the Cotswolds. Peter rang me that afternoon from work, I was in the apartment alone, he told me to turn the radio on. (There was no TV in the apartment) I asked what station. He replied "any".

I switch on the radio and I sat there dumbfounded, listening to the live news reports. It was difficult for me to take in what was happening back in the States. It was unreal. Airplanes being hijacked and flown into buildings, one after the other. How could something like this be happening in the States? It was like I was on the outside looking in. I suppose in a way i was. I sat there and cried. I cried for the victims, I cried for the victims families, I cried for America, I cried because I was frightened to the core. America was no longer a safe place. 

I believe it was the next day, the UK held a 2 minute silence for the victims of the tragedies that had just happened in America.  (tragedies is an understatement I know)  I went for a walk through town just before this was suppose to happen. I'm not sure what I expected but I had intended on standing in the middle of the High Street with my head bowed in silence for two minutes. I was still raw from the events of the day before, my legs felt like they were made of lead, I felt like I was near suffocation, my chest heavy. The church bell struck the hour, people came out of the shops to stand silently in the streets. Cars and other vehicles came to a standstill. I was so moved that I stood silently in the street with all the others in this small town in England, with hot tears streaming down my cheeks, thinking about what was happening in America. Remembering this still moves me today. 

I'm also still struggling to grasp what happened on this day 15 years ago. Four passenger planes were hijacked by al-Qaeda terrorists. The first flown, with passengers, into the World Trade Center's North Tower in New York. Then the second plane, with passengers, flew into the WTC's South Tower. Not long after both skyscrapers collapse. A third passenger plane crashes into the Pentagon (Headquarters of the United States Department of Defense), in Virginia. The fourth plane, which was aimed at Washington, D.C., crashed into a field in Pennsylvania when passengers tried to overcome the hijackers. 

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day. Over 6,000 others were injured. This loss was felt all around the world. The whole world wept.

I can't breathe....

I was just sat here reading about all the gun violence and senseless deaths happening in America right now. All the prejudice and hatred and fear. Thinking how many people must die before something positive changes. Looking through my Facebook feed at all the hate and prejudice and misinformation. My chest tight, drawing breath labored. Then I saw this song/video shared by my friend Sarah on Facebook titled: 'I Can't Breathe'.

I am not a religious person but I'm sat here wondering where are all the Christians. Because Christians value life, all life, everyone's life. Because Christians follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught us to love one another, no matter what. Taught us not to judge others unless we be judged ourselves. He taught us not to condemn others for their sins as it is not our place, we are not the Lord God. He taught us to turn the other cheek and give unconditional love to our fellow man, no matter who they are or what they believe. Jesus taught us to do unto others as we'd have them do unto us. Jesus taught us to look after those less fortunate than ourselves, to love our neighbors no matter who they are. Where are the Christians?

Three of the 10 commandments come to mind right now, which I don't see self proclaimed Christians giving a damn about on their facebook feeds....

Thou shalt not kill..... At the rate Americans are killing each other right now it is literally like a war zone. Men, women and children. Every. Day. And people don't hardly bat an eye. It's common place now. They tell themselves they are not the one doing the killing so it's no skin off their nose....but it is. If you allow it, condone it for any reason, are not upset by the killing because he's black or a criminal or any other reason..then yes, you are part of the problem. This is unbearable for me, why isn't it unbearable for everyone?

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (meaning you shouldn't lie or spread lies).... The false and misleading messages shared, the out right lies, all the hate. Political and not....People don't look for the facts, they agree with the message so they are going to share it, no matter who it hurts. This also is unbearable for me, why isn't it unbearable for everyone?

and...

Thou shalt not covet. But covet they do and they covet guns. Guns are more important than religion in America. This is what I see. This is what my facebook feed is telling me. This too is unbearable for me, why isn't it unbearable for everyone?

I can't breathe......

Photoshop Blunder?

I was sat drinking my coffee this morning. flipping through post on facebook....as you do.... when I spotted this headline from Metro.co.uk: Not all as it seems 'Something isn't quite right about this gay embrace picture'.

My first reaction and thought was, yea, the guy on the left is missing an arm, or there's a third participant called THING from The Adams Family in the photo.

I also noticed that the guy on the right has one very hairy butt cheek and one not so hairy. The angles and shadows throughout the photo look off to me as well, so I'm starting to suspect they aren't actually in the same photo together and have been totally shopped in.

I quickly did a screen grab and transferred it to my computer so that I could blog about it. While doing so I asked my husband, who was walking by, did he notice anything strange about the photo. He said the usual, yea there's two guys kissing in it. I said no, not that, and him knowing me took a closer look and remarked about a bad photoshop job, but didn't notice the missing arm. When I pointed it out to him he said. "So you're looking at two guys kissing, one with his shorts off and you're looking at his arm?" It's a good thing I didn't have coffee in my mouth at the time or it'd have been all over my desk and screen. :-D

At this point I hadn't read the article yet, so I didn't know what's going on. I thought I should at least skim it. The first sentence of this article "These two men are not in a relationship, don’t fancy one another, and the only love they have is platonic. They are in fact both straight men."  Follow THIS LINK if you'd like to see and read more, there's even a video. :-)

So, what do you think? Do you think it's a poorly photoshoped and contrived image, or am I just being too picky? ;-)

Trade Canvas Print - A Review

I've been working on my printed portfolio and thinking about doing another exhibition. It's been so long since I've done one that I can't remember when the last time was. I reckon it's past due for another one.

My print portfolio I'm working on.

Thinking about an exhibition of my work led me to thinking about canvas prints. I've often thought about the canvas medium and wondered what some of my favourite photographs would look like on canvas. So I decided to invest in some canvases to hang on our own walls and as examples of my work. I've sold prints here and there but not actually offered up prints for sale. I figure it's about time I did.

I've done a lot of research, costing and checked out some products up close at trade shows etc. I decided to give Trade Canvas Print a try, as they cater to the professional trade, their website was easy to navigate and orders were easy to place. I really like how I could easily choose the size of my canvas to suit the print. The price was reasonable too, giving me the chance to sell my images at a reasonable price.

The turn around time was amazing too! I placed my order late Monday afternoon for 10 canvases and they were delivered Wednesday morning! That's good for me as a trader as that means I can get my products to my customers very quickly. And they can choose what size they wish to have and not have to rely on what I have on hand. They will also post direct to my customers. I'm actually on the wall about that last one as I like to preview my products before they go to my customers. But it's nice to know the choice is there if I need it.

The delivery.

Trade Canvas Print kept me up to date on the progress of my order and the delivery time. I was given a one hour window in which it would be delivered and that's when it was delivered! Don't you just hate waiting around all day for a delivery? I loved the one hour window.

I was so excited when the delivery arrived, but my heart soon sank when I saw a hole knocked in one of the boxes. I ran to get my camera to document the opening.

The hole was clean through, it looked quite a sharp puncture.

The bubble wrap just under the puncture was popped and damaged. It's difficult to tell in the photo above but it was.

You can just make out the dent in the bubble wrap in the larger photo. Luckily the canvases were well packed and wrapped. The puncture didn't make it past the tightly wrapped bubble wrap. What a relief!

I was so relieved and thankful that I took to Twitter and thanked @tradecanvas.

Next the unboxing and examining of the canvases. They were all well wrapped and packed and arrived in perfect condition.

I am really impressed with the quality too. I chose their 38mm deep pine frames with finishing touches like galvanized staples taped over, wooden wedged corners and felt pads to protect the wall.

The back.

Frame detail.

38mm deep frame.

Lovely detail in the print. 

Here are some photos of the canvases I had made for myself with Trade Canvas Print, using my own photographs of course.

Paris, 26 x1 6 inches x 38mm

London, 24 x 16 inches x 38mm

Rodborough Common Trees in the Fog, 24 x 10 inches x 38mm

Poppies, 14 x 10 inches x 38mm

Daisy with Ladybird, 12 x 8 inches x 38mm 

Fog filling the Stroud Valley, 36 x 14 inches x 38mm

I am over the moon with these canvases and I'm already thinking about my next order. But first I need to get these hung.

If I were giving star ratings, Trade Canvas Print would get 5 out of 5 stars. I can't fault them or their products. I can highly recommend them with confidence to any professional or hobbyist photographer or artist. I am very much looking forward to showing these off to my customers and friends. Hopefully they will show up in an exhibition soon too. :-)

If you are interested in purchasing any of my photographs on canvas please contact me. Follow this link for my contact details. I hope to have an online shop for canvas prints soon.

In case you didn't know, I'm a professional photographer based in the Cotswolds. I cover just about any type of photography but mostly specialize in corporate head shots, commercial, promotional, products and event coverage. I sometimes work for the local papers and  occasionally a photography magazine here and there.

Photography isn't only my job, it's my passion. I think this shows in my images above.

We had a breakthrough today!

I had such an amazing walk with Snapper today and I didn't take any photos! No I don't have a fever and I'm not sick. We went walking with Caroline and her daughter and their white lab, Prince. Prince is such a lovely dog!! I love labs, they make the best companions.

Snapper is my lovely adopted rescue dog, he's nearly 4 years old and we've had him for 7 months now. He's a Yorkshire Terrier and might be mixed with a Jack Russel, that wasn't made clear. He came to us with social issues and a tendency to bite if he didn't know you and you reached for his head without warning. He's also not great with other dogs. We've been taking it slowly with him and taking the calm and reassuring approach. I'm happy to say it's paying off and he's a much happier and nicer dog today. Still away to go, but we are getting there. :-)

What was so amazing about today's walk? Well Snapper isn't very well socialized and we've been working with him. He doesn't like strangers in his face and will nip and even bite if surprised or rushed at. He's the same with dogs, he doesn't like them in his face and really doesn't like the hyper ones jumping at him. Prince is still like a puppy and bounces around a bit, which Snapper wasn't too keen on at first. First greeting was a bit shaky but Snapper soon calmed down and walked along side Prince, which was nice.

The best part was, after awhile when we were out in the woods, he let me put his muzzle on and he didn't completely shut down. He usually deactivates when we put it on, refusing to walk or even move with it on. But with Prince bouncing around he made an effort which was great! Great for me as I can relax and not worry about him biting Prince when Prince gets in his face. And as we were out on an area of land with the river on either side I took a chance and let Snapper off his lead. First time ever! And he was amazing! He ran around with Prince and if he got too far ahead I'd call out 'wait', and he'd stop and wait for me to catch up which was soooo amazing!

He stopped listening so much when we got close to town so I put the lead back on him. After goodbyes and we were on our way home, making our way up a field, I decided to try him off lead again, still with muzzle on. For a few minutes he stayed right with me, but then he saw some dogs up the hill and took off running. It would have to be UP hill wouldn't it?!! He didn't stop when I called this time. He was too distracted. Lucky he had his muzzle on so I didn't panic so much, but was embarrassed that he didn't stop. But he didn't bark or growl or anything at the other dogs, but was wagging his tail and greeted the other dogs happily which was amazing! Amazing for Snapper that is.

I hate having to muzzle him but I just can't take the chance of him biting. I'm so glad he has finally accepted the muzzle. I've been putting it on him every now and then trying to get him used to it, but he just deactivates when I put it on, refusing to move or even look up. Just yesterday he did this when I put it on him while out on our walk and he completely shut down, refusing to walk. But today was a breakthrough!

There are hundreds of different ways to train a dog, I know, I've googled it! Also, everyone you meet is an expert and gives you advice....a lot like when you have your first child. In the end I went with my instincts, after watching Snapper and how he reacted to things. I decided that the patient, gentle but firm route was the one to take with him. I felt like most of his acting out (what others call aggressiveness) was actually fear and not knowing how to react. I've no idea how he was treated in the past, and I don't want to guess or judge, but I don't think he was getting what he needed. Besides, I just don't believe that yelling, hitting and abusive behaviour will correct a bad or unwanted behaviour. Yes they need to know who's boss (Alpha), but you can do that without abusing them.

Here's a photo of my little buddy Snapper. I love having him around, he's such a sweetheart once you get to know him....about like me. ;-)

Just look at that face!

My Rescue Dog - Snapper

Snapper (March 2016)

This is my dog Snapper, we've had him nearly 7 months now, he's 3 years old and we adopted him from the RSPCA last summer. We found out about him through a friend who rescues dogs and runs a dog walking business in Stroud. He saw him advertised on one of those community Facebook pages for things for sale and free in the area and tried to put me in contact.

Jim, on the day I met him.  (Soon to be known as Snapper) (19 August 2015)

The Facebook post was taken down before I could manage to see it, but I had the lady's name, so I found her and sent her a message. Turns out she'd just dropped him off at the RSPCA that day. She told me that she'd had him from a puppy but that she also had small children and that he didn't get along well with them and would bite and snap at them. She loved him but couldn't handle him anymore. She gave me the phone number to the Stroud branch of the RSPCA where she had taken him and said I could call and ask about him. So I did.

I was told that Jim, that was his name, was under observation and evaluation and after that time I could go meet him. In the mean time they were reserving him for me. Before I could adopt him though I'd have to fill out some paperwork and they'd send someone around to inspect where Jim's potential home would be, to make sure it was suitable. The usual type things like making sure we lived in our own home where pets were allowed and had a decent secure garden and that all was safe for a little dog.

Well I went to meet little Jim and of course fell quickly in love with him. He seemed so scared and excited to be outside. He was kept inside and I suspect in a cage. I took him for a nice little walk and he was a perfect gentleman. He even gave me a little kiss before I left. It was so hard to leave him there, but I knew he'd be coming home with me soon.

Snapper comes home, loves his new tweed bed. (21 August 2015)

He bonded with me quite quickly and he's been my little buddy every since. He didn't respond to his name Jim very well so I took the opportunity to change his name. We went with Snapper, for a couple of reason. First off, I'm a photographer, Snapper, get it? :-D  Secondly, if you surprise him or get in his face he will snap at you and might even bite you. So he became Snapper, and he loves it when you call out his name and will come running. :-)

Snapper (21 August 2015)

Snapper is an amazing little fella and he has so much joy and love to give, it's hard to imagine anyone not wanting him. It's also hard to imagine that he will bite you, but he will if he doesn't know you and you don't give him his space. We've no idea what sort of past he's had, but he's not fond of small boys or larger older men. He is mostly OK with girls and women but you still need to take it slow with him. But once he properly meets you he loves you and will hop up in your lap and give you kisses. :-)

Snapper loves bubbles! (22 August 2015)

Snapper really loves chasing bubbles! 

He's the same with with other dogs, he will growl and snap at other dogs if they get in his face, but if we go for a walk together and he gets used to the other dog then he can be trusted to be friends with them. But for that first initial meeting you have to be patient, give him space and give him a chance to figure out that the other dog just wants to be friends.

What happens when you eat too many bubbles.

So, besides being leery of meeting new people and dogs, he's an absolute wonderful little guy and a joy to be around. He's my little buddy and we really enjoy our play time and walks together.

My husband, Peter, and Snapper walking on Rodborough Common. (22 August 2015)

Snapper posing for me (21 September 2015)

He's a great companion for me and keeps me on my toes and gets me out of the house every day. I can't imagine him not being around.

Snapper helping me with my editing. 

Snapper down by the canal in Stroud. (23 October 2015)

We are very lucky living in the area that we do, there are so many lovely places to go for walks. There are also lots of dog friendly pubs and cafes as well.

Snapper in Stratford Park in Stroud. (28 October 2015)

Snapper by the canal near Capel Mill, Stroud. (22 November 2015)

Snapper by the canal lock at Wallbridge, Stroud. (6 January 2016)

He's such a little poser! But not good enough to let me balance a hat on his head while holding a pipe in his snout. So yea, I photoshopped those. ;-)

Snapper Rocking the Cotswolds up on Rodborough Common (18 January 2016)

The other day I was walking Snapper in town and we went into his favourite shop, which happens to be a pet store, and we met a lovely young man who was visiting the shop. He asked about Snapper and he got down on the floor to say hi to Snapper. He didn't approach Snapper but allowed Snapper to approach him. He said that he was a dog trainer and had experience with being bitten by several dogs and that the small dog bites were the worst! So he's always extra cautious with the little ones and tries not to frighten them. By this time Snapper was enjoying ear scratching and tail wagging.

The young man, I so wish I'd gotten his name, told me that he'd done some work with the RSPCA and said that I most surely saved Snapper's life. He said that the RSPCA (and indeed all the other dog rescues as well) receive so many unwanted pets every day that they just can't keep up. So they have this check list and if the animal gets any checks on this list then they are put to sleep, usually within 48 hours of them being brought in, and never put up for adoption. Snapper most definitely checked the biting box and would have been put to sleep as he wasn't rehomable. Which he said was such a shame as Snapper is obviously such a lovely little fella.

It's heart breaking to think of all the animals put to sleep every day, not just here in the UK but also in America and most surely in other countries as well. So please, if you are thinking of getting a pet for your family, think it through first. Do you have the funds? Do you have the proper space? Do you have the time to care for the animal? Does your desired pet suit your life style? Remember a lot of dogs can't be left alone for long periods of time and most dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than 4 hours at a time.

Please also consider looking for your new pet at your local rescue centre, give an abandoned pet a new chance at life. Be it a dog or a cat or a rabbit or any other pet.

Save a life, adopt from a rescue centre. Most of them are there due to no fault of their own and just need a loving home.

Snapper enjoying a nap in his new forever home. (Not spoiled at all!)

Here's a handy link to the local Animal Rescue Centres around Gloucestershire on Google Maps.

Here's a link to an update made on 1 April 2016 [We had a breakthrough today!]