Cayle often has to deal with the magnetic pull between myself and dogs, wherever our travels take us. This magnetic pull may lead me to turn a corner unannounced and follow a cute pack of small, fuzzy, sweater clad dogs down a small street in Cuzco. Cayle, after a few panicked moments and dodging back through the crowd, eventually realizes his wife wasn’t hurt or lost- just pulled by the dogs. This pull may cause me to stop in my tracks for photo opportunities leading to many sorry’s and excuse me’s commonly followed by quizzical looks. Also, Cayle may find out later one afternoon the protein bar he would have liked to snack on is missing.  It couldn’t have been broken up and given to dogs on the verge of starving. That would never happen!

Curiously, I find myself taken photos of certain subjects wherever I travel to.  Dogs would be one of them.  So, the theme leading to this post… Why do I always take pictures of dogs?  Let’s see if we can determine any conclusions based on some of the photos I was able to round up.
Well, clearly emotion drove me to take this photo, one of around 900 photos from my first trip to Kenya.  While I understand the cultural differences, dogs in Africa (among many other things) make me really quite sad.  I ran into this sweet one in Masai Mara.  I threw her a few crackers because that was all I had.  (Yes, there are starving people everywhere who needed those crackers.)
REASON #1: EMOTIONAL SENSITIVITY.
Many points to be made here.  First point: Isn’t it amazing how dog owners and dogs often resemble each other?  Second point: At first, this gentleman seemed like a super cute dog owner.  He wants to capture moments with his companion and makes sure to bring water along on a hot summer day.  But… upon closer inspection, Fido is precariously balanced on the railing with only a strangle tactic as a safety measure!  Well, I was happy Fido could handle the circus act, and my photo didn’t come out blurry due to my laughter. Oh, the things you see in NYC.
REASON #2: PRECARIOUS THINGS PET OWNERS ARE NOT AFRAID TO DO IN PUBLIC.
We, at this adventurous life, are dog lovers.  We have yet to understand the appeal of cats other than they don’t require much work or attention (cat lovers explain this to me).  This is one of the less than thrilling moments of Bailey’s life.  You see, he despises the rampant snowball attacks that occur in this arctic winter weather.  He also despises having to wait around uncomfortably while mom takes a few photos, says the look on his face.
REASON #3: OUR CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL
Dogs have this knack for being at peace with the world around them, unlike many humans.  Maybe this photo subject repetition is derived from my own search for peacefulness.  Or am I stretching this too far, maybe.  Photo taken in Plaza del Armas, Cuzco, Peru 2008
REASON #4: “BUT HE IS SO CUTE AND PEACEFUL!”  (followed by, “Don’t delete that picture!”)
Being in the right place at the right time, you realize all of the previous photos led you to this specific moment. One of the holy grails of dog photography. Capturing the unique bond between dog and owner.  Even with horrid lighting, Mr. Schnauzer joining his person at the bar for a night cap was one of those trophy moments where you scramble for the camera trying not to cause a ruckus. Victory was claimed while sitting on a worn wooden bar stool and sipping bourbon at a corner bar in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica.
REASON #5: ALL OF THE WAYS DOGS LOOK FOR OUR APPROVAL, EVEN JOINING US AT THE BAR.