Late last week we were wrapping up the photos for our next print newsletter. Our friend Cindy J. was taking the photos of the two of us for the "ranch letter" we write for each issue. Now, this is always the hardest photo to get because we include an animal in it. Not only is it difficult enough getting the animal to look at the camera, you have to get both people looking "just right" at that one particular moment when the animal is deciding to cooperate. And yes, cats are less likely to cooperate than dogs!
This is why it generally takes, oh, on average 60 to 80 shots to get the one I like. (I'm fussy in the photo department.) In this case, with Alayne and me and Tibby the cat, Cindy shot 73 photos before I finally said "I'm sure we've got something there." For some reason I could hear an audible sigh of relief from Alayne, Cindy and Tibby, all at the same time. (What's up with that?)
Once I uploaded all the photos to the Mac, I saw this image above where Tibby is definitely letting us know she'd rather be back in the cat house. Actually, she was pretty good for most of the photo shoot, but occasionally she'd let us know she had other plans for her morning. (Click on photo for larger version.)
We're combining the spring and summer newsletters into one edition to save money on printing and postage. It should go to the printer later this week and be in the mail in early May. This photo will not be the one you see in the newsletter!
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One note on yesterday's blog post: Some folks thought they saw clouds in the water. Nope, that was ice still to be melted.
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Don't forget, you can vote every day for us in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge. Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana, and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. We won $1,000 in this online contest last year because of your help and would like to win it again this year. Thank you!
Looks to me like Tibby is singing. Does Rolling Dog Ranch have a theme song? Maybe you need one? (See, cats are a great source of creative inspiration! I'm thinking -- iTunes."
Posted by: Helen R | April 22, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Tibby's closeup looks like the movie poster for an old B-horror flick: Devil Cat From Planet X!
Posted by: Debbie Burke | April 22, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I think the picture is great!
Also the idea of letting people choose to receive it either through the mail or just Electronically is a good idea as already said here.
Posted by: Canadian | April 21, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Tibby is protesting because she is expecting a true model's paycheck.:)
Posted by: DT | April 21, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Wow, everyone was right about the close-ups! But what I really wanted to say was that Alayne looks great with her hair up!
Posted by: JC | April 21, 2009 at 03:27 PM
That is priceless. :D
Posted by: megan | April 21, 2009 at 03:19 PM
I love this picture although poor Tibby isn't a very happy camper. I'm voting every day too!!!
Posted by: sharon | April 21, 2009 at 02:01 PM
The closeup is just too funny! I think Tibby is thinking, "How many MORE of these dang pics do I haf to pose for!?! This is the stupidest way I've ever spent my time!"
If you'd like to drop me from the send out newsletter, I can get it online. That should help save you some.
Thanks for making me laugh, Tibby!
Warm hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | April 21, 2009 at 11:28 AM
It's nice to see Tibby all grown up.
I've never seen protesting cat eyes quite like hers. 73 pictures were clearly 72 too many for her.
Good job in finding just the right shot. : )
Posted by: boundforglory | April 21, 2009 at 09:26 AM
You and Alayne look great! Tibby . . . not so much.
Posted by: Kathie Taylor | April 21, 2009 at 07:54 AM
Oh, my, enlarging DOES make a difference ! Had Tibby gotten into the catnip??????? :)
I'm voting every day !
Posted by: Bibi | April 21, 2009 at 06:44 AM
Tibby's face..priceless..^^
Posted by: Tasya | April 21, 2009 at 05:46 AM
Picture purrrfect!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | April 21, 2009 at 01:53 AM
This photo is just begging for a caption contest!!
Posted by: rachel | April 20, 2009 at 10:11 PM
You really have to enlarge the photo to get the most appreciation of the look on Tibby's face! You humans look fabulous of course. Love to hear an update on Miss Callie.
Posted by: Marla | April 20, 2009 at 09:59 PM
The two of you are MOST photogenic & Tibby is obviously a hoot!
Posted by: Consuelo Larrabee | April 20, 2009 at 09:58 PM
Oh my, I can hear the protesting through the picture. I can hardly pick Erin up & walk into the bedroom at night w/out some protesting. And, we do not have that far to walk!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | April 20, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Love the picture. Got a good chuckle from Tibby's expression.
thanks.
Karen L.
Posted by: Karen Linot | April 20, 2009 at 09:13 PM
I think that's a lovely picture! Tibby is being quite, how you say, expressive. Who wants another pretty picture when you can get *that* face?!
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | April 20, 2009 at 07:52 PM
You might consider sending the newsletter by e-mail link and cut the postage/ink paper costs even more. Several groups I belong to and several work sites newsletters have shifted to that and we've gotten a lot of positive comments about the "green" switch.
Posted by: Christal Anderson | April 20, 2009 at 07:09 PM