Meet our newest, The Bronx
Last November, I sadly lost my noble Samson to liver cancer. Sam was a Weimaraner, a breed of dog I have known since childhood. It was a heartbreaking loss. Over time, however, I realized that I have lived with dogs nearly all of my life and that was a missing from it.
I knew what I wanted - I wanted a puppy of stock that would be broad in head and chest, and come in a little bigger than average. And I wanted what is called a “Blue Weimaraner” - whereas most people recognize the breed to be more silver-grey, there is also a coloration that is a darker grey.
I researched Weimaraner breeders in the Southeast, since I knew I would want to be able to physically retrieve a puppy. I found one that is dedicated to big, beautiful dogs of just that breed, Dilbeck Weims, in Tunnel Hill, GA, just across the border from Tennessee. An added bonus was that the owner and I have a mutual acquaintance who verified to me the integrity of the breeder.
On July 21, 2021, a litter was born - and on September 9, 2021, I went and picked up Bronx. Bronx - or The Bronx, and I think his official registered name with the American Kennel Club will be Richer’s Take the Uptown D Train - is named after the greatest borough of New York City where I was born and raised (Norwood, represent!).
Now, Bronx is just 7 weeks old, which means he is still just a baby . . . so you KNOW I had to put together a newborn shoot, right? And since Fall is on its way, I thought some bright, bold colors were needed for my monochromatic munchkin. And when he crashed after a period of frenetic puppy activity, I got to document his “babyhood.” Trust me, this breed grows fast and I daresay by Christmas he will exceed 50 pounds (and likely have a full grown weight between 85 and 100 pounds).
Oh, and when photographing a baby dog versus a baby human, keep in mind an animal is instinctively worried about predators, which means they are hardwired to come awake at an instant if a noise is heard, especially dogs. They will wake up quickly!