Doggy Opera

Every once in a while you come across a dog that's got a special talent. Today was that day! It was the day I got to photograph Holly and her vocally gifted Rudy, a mixed breed Terrier. Holly, a talented musician, told me that Rudy likes to sing when she plays certain songs and I chuckled while envisioning this phenomenon. However, thinking about it and experiencing it are two different things.

As part of my Dogs and Their Women project, I arrived at Holly's with this image in mind. At first, Rudy preferred to play with his stuffed toy or me. Belting out a tune was far from his mind. But we knew patience was the posture to assume when working with animal talent! Then Holly and her musical partner, Jim, on the guitar, (my banjo teacher) struck up a particularly joyful song and Rudy went over to a new spot on the floor and starting belting out the chorus! Aaarrroooo! Aaroroooo!

Thrusting his head back and belting out a howl that wolves would have picked up in a heartbeat, Rudy's primordial genetic material kicked in and you could almost say he was in a little trance, as his body softened and his movements slowed.

Rudy's lucky that he's got nice music to listen and sing to. When I practice my banjo, my Coonhound leaves the room! Perhaps with a little more practice I can get my Coonhound to howl. Watch out Rudy, you'll have competition then!