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Category Archives: Dogs

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Post snow series - Two pups looking for a permanent home

February 8, 2010 – 12:01 am

Walking down Thompson St. Andrew and I ran in to Yona. She’s currently fostering these two little rascals.  They really don’t have names since they haven’t been placed in a permanent home. They’re some mix of a terrier slash shepherd slash boxer, and they seem like they weigh about 40 LBS and I’m pretty sure you should take them both. They’re up for adoption and if you’re interested please let me know by getting in touch. Send me an email to SETH SHIMKONIS AT GMAIL DOT COM (written like that to avoid receiving spam).

By sethshimkonis | Also posted in Fishtown, Personal, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

The winter… the Archives… perfect timing

December 9, 2009 – 12:01 am

Since the winter is almost in full effect and right around the corner, and wedding season has closed it’s doors, I will be posting some of my favorite photos from the past every few days. There will be all kinds of photos from Peru, weddings, personal images, etc. This is Davy, the Great Dane Lab mix who lives at New Hope Children’s Home in Arequipa, Peru. Davy is a bit looney, but she’s a great dog. I swear she isn’t as sinister as she appears in this photo. Keep in touch for more.

[caption id="attachment_1056" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Title: Davy"]Title: Davy[/caption]
By sethshimkonis | Comments (0)

April 7th 2009, Timo’s Shadow

April 8, 2009 – 8:44 am

Alvaro is one of those kids who just loves to watch by learning. Everytime I go through my routine of erasing the camera media card, browsing, and selecting photos on the computer, he is watching, learning, and taking mental notes. So when it’s his turn to look at his photos, he wants to be the one to remove the media card from the camera and put it in the card reader connected to the computer. Even when his turn is over, Alvaro still loves to sit and absorb all the things he doesn’t know how to do yet.

The above photo of Timo was a daily winner in class, and it’s really hard to win with a Timo photo, because there have been many photos of Timo during our classes. But this one, taken by Alvaro, has portrayed Timo in the best light. Timo and his shadow are all there, and the photograph is well composed.

By sethshimkonis | Also posted in Kid's Photographs, New Hope Children's Home, Peru, Photo Classes, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photo of the day 2/06/2009 - Dogs

February 6, 2009 – 12:01 am

Dogs have been a big part of my life. When I was a kid, and we didn’t have a dog, I can remember having vivid dreams of owning 4 dogs and then waking up only to realize with severe disappointment that we didn’t have any. I believe I hounded my parents for years until they finally broke down and started the dog search. After we finally got our family dog, our lives changed for the better. Dogs add so much to your life: they offer you companionship, they pre-clean the dishes when the dishwasher is open, scare off unwanted door to door salesmen (too bad they can’t answer the phone), they give you exercise by making sure you walk them, and so much more.

Since I’ve been here in Peru, both Homes I have been to have dogs as pets. The kids and the dogs get along great, and as a young kid, what else could you want? I mean, when you can’t finish your meal, you have your best friend right there to help you out. When you’re bored, and you have no one to play catch with or kick the ball around, you have the best ball chaser in the world just waiting for you to send the ball flying. And if you’re feeling down, dogs are great listeners. Just the act of petting a dog is therapeutic . I mean, why wouldn’t you want a dog. They’re great, and they will love you for who you are, no questions asked. Here at the Homes I’ve visited, I believe in their own ways, the dogs are helping the kids work through their pasts. Sara (pictured above), five, is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met and lives with the kids at Generaciòn.

By sethshimkonis | Also posted in Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photo of the day 1/12/2009 - Street dogs

January 12, 2009 – 12:01 am

Street dogs, they can be everywhere here in Peru. You can find them hanging out at the beach under the umbrellas by themselves, you can find them trotting along the streets in the city center, and you can see them right outside your door when you step out on to the street. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are loners while sometimes you see packs of dogs running the street trotting along in a hurry to get somewhere. Some are fierce and scary while some can be timid and friendly. But most importantly, don’t touch them. Do not try to befriend them. They are not like dogs in the states. These guys have grown up independent, and most of the time they shy away from humans. The thing I found most interesting about the street dogs when I first arrived to Peru was the night time. 

As a kid, I grew up being able to hear crickets at night, and it was a soothing sound. But here in Peru, I haven’t heard one cricket; I have heard street dogs at night though. They howl, bark and growl all through the night. It’s kind of frightening at first, but eventually you get accustomed to the noise. The photo above doesn’t do street dogs justice in how grungy some can be. They have dread locks and crazy, matted hair. Some are extremely emaciated and sickly. The photo above is one image of a beautiful husky sitting on the corner.

By sethshimkonis | Also posted in Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

More Davy Photos

December 28, 2008 – 12:21 am

I posted a while back about how I really like the coats of black dogs and the way they shine. Here are some more black and white photos of Davy the Great Dane/Black Lab mix here at New Hope. If you would like to the previous shots, you can find them here.

By sethshimkonis | Tagged , | Comments (1)

My love of dogs, and photography

November 28, 2008 – 12:05 pm

Since I was about 11, I’ve had a black dog. First it was the one of two family dogs named Sam, a black lab. Then it was my own dog, Murphy, a black lab mix who I picked up at the SPCA. Murphy, is currently living with a great family with the last name Murphy of all things. It was hard to leave Murphy behind for six months, but he is in loving hands, and I know that I’ll return to see him again. However, when I heard there was another black dog named Davy, a Black Lab/Great Dane mix, here at the home, I got really excited.

You see, I love dogs, and I love photography. A few years ago, I noticed how Murphy’s black coat just shines when the light hits it. Since then, I’ve wanted to produce a series of abstract black and white photographs of a dog’s shiny black coat. Since Davy is here, I figured I’d shoot some photos of her sleeping in a dark leather chair. So, here are four photographs I shot the other night.


By sethshimkonis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (2)