Ultra Violet. Beloved Golden Retriever, by a Maine Dog Photographer. Violet's dog Mom.

Violet

  03/08/14 - 01/03/26

Beautiful Violet crossed over the Rainbow Bridge Saturday evening, two months shy of her 12th birthday, surrounded by both her human family and her canine family.  To say Violet was the sweetest, "bestest" girl ever is an understatement.  Nicknamed our "forever puppy", Violet never passed up the opportunity for a game of tug with her own pups and grand pups. Violet is the mother to 11 pups from three small litters, six of her pups are local and a regular part of our lives.  Violet was a good Mama, and an incredible grandmother and was loved by all who had the pleasure to know her. Violet changed the trajectory of her human family in immeasurable ways, for every pup she raised she brought more humans into the Minors extended family. Then came her grand pups, both her daughter Ivy and son Appa had a litter in 2023 and 2025 and Violet made herself at home in the whelping box cleaning and stimulating pups from the onset, and continued to help out until all pups went to their forever homes. Violet loved to lick her human Moms feet too, a trait she and only she displayed. She loved stuffies, bones, treats, mealtime, walks, camping, hiking, swimming, chasing her tail, playing tug with her boys, smiling for photos, wearing props while smiling for photos, licking stinky puppies, and sleeping on her humans bed (they all like that :) ). Violet was predeceased by her Mama Chloe two years ago. Chloe left a huge hole in her families heart, but Violet helped them heal, and for the first time in 16 years they are both no longer with us. If you were one of the lucky ones to know them, don't hesitate to share your thoughts with us here on this post. 💜

Personal thoughts from Mama Joanne. Our family will cherish the memories of these two beautiful girls forever.  My previous blog post was of Chloe's death two years ago. My last statement was that I would post a slideshow of Chloe, which I never did. Time has a habit of marching on and sometimes I don't complete the things I want to complete. I do share on my business Facebook page, so please follow me there if you aren't already doing so.  https://www.facebook.com/minormomentsphotography

Every year at the start of the year I set my goals. Every year I say I want to blog more, for myself and for my friends who aren't on fb. I know what I need to do to work this goal, and this year I'm reprioritizing a few things to try and make it stick :) so with that said, I'm going to be a bit kinder to myself, give myself the proper amount of time I need to put together some beautiful photos and memories of my girls, and plan to share it right here next week.  As you can all imagine, I have so many beautiful photos, and even more beautiful memories, and chances are I am going to shed an enormous amount of tears while pulling this together. Once I successfully complete my next post, I may play a little catch up over the past couple of years and post some fun stuff too!! Overall I live a very blessed and positive life and want to share some of these blessings with you, right here!! Thank you for being here with me.

 

 

Chloe. Beloved Golden Retriever, by a Maine Dog Photographer and Chloe's Dog Mom

Chloe Minor

12/06/09 - 12/15/23

Chloe, Snowypaws Third Times A Charm, surrounded by her human family and her very own daughter Violet, granddaughter Ivy, and great granddaughter Lily, peacefully crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Friday evening.

Chloe was born on December 6, 2009 to her parents, Snowypaws "Heppner's Macy" and JRS "Logan's Run from White Dove" in a litter of nine.  Chloe was the chosen one from the litter to continue her line for Snowypaws of Westbrook.

Chloe loved walks of all kinds, on a trail, on a mountain, in the woods, on the beach, in a campground and especially around the neighborhood.  She loved children and old people alike.  She loved food, both dog kibble and people kibble.  Chloe was an incredible Mom and Grandmother.  She loved sleeping on the bed and she let her humans know when it was time to retire for the evening.  She loved animals of all species.  She loved to go camping with her family.  Although a late starter she loved playing fetch and swimming.  Chloe loved to play tug, with her humans, her daughter and her grandchildren.  She loved barking at the TV whenever she saw an animal of any kind.  She wasn't fond of riding in a vehicle but she tolerated it in order to go anywhere her people went, and her travels throughout New England are extensive.  Her signature scrunched up smile was her special talent and her ability to make people fall in love with her the moment they saw it.  

Chloe is survived by her 4 children, Violet of Westbrook ME, Beckett of NY, Jaxson of Auburn ME and Cooper of Old Orchard ME, her eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Chloe's departure leaves a huge hole in the lives of her human family and her four generation canine family.  Chloe has blessed the world with an incredible legacy and her spirit will live on forever.  

A video celebration of Chloe's life will be shared here on Christmas Day.  In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Chloe's honor to her great grandson Rocket's ongoing GoFundMe campaign for his life saving liver surgery scheduled next Spring.

https://gofund.me/db2732a6 

A Chocolate Lab Named Diva and a Maine Dog Photographer

One year ago this week, a breeder friend of mine was in a crisis situation.  I accepted an opportunity to help her out by welcoming a pregnant chocolate lab named Diva into my home, to help Diva deliver her puppies and raise them during their first 8 weeks of life.  I have helped deliver puppies three times before, all with my golden retriever Violet, and all very small litters.  I have witnessed puppies being born with my Chloe girl also.  Violet was a good Mom, after the drama of delivery was over, but she needed to be watched under careful eye during the first initial hours.  Violet would take care of the umbilical cord, separating her newborn from the placenta, but she would not remove the pup from it's sack and lick it firmly to initiate breathing!  I had witnessed her mother Chloe giving birth, severing the cord, removing the sack and cleaning cleaning cleaning the pup, getting all of the proper tools working...but again...Violet never did that vital part, it was up to the humans standing by to rub the puppy in a towel..."piss it off" as one YouTube tutor taught us...until it breaths on it's own.  If we had not been standing by to "piss off" Violet's puppies one by one, I'm pretty sure they would not have survived.  (But again, we will never know for sure, if left alone if Violet would have stepped up to the plate or not, life and death is not something you wait for, you just intervene if you need to)

So, this was all of my puppy birthing experience in a nut shell.  Knowing my role is more than a wide eyed spectator, but an active, outright "scared" participant.  I say scared, I can't really put my finger on the right word...so scared is the best I can do...I'm afraid that I'll mess up...that's it in a nutshell.

I received Diva a couple weeks before her due date so she could get to know me and be comfortable in my home before giving birth.  That in itself is something I hadn't given much thought to before, but I get it loud and clear now.  Diva seemed very comfortable in our home right from the start.  We are a house full of golden retrievers and we have Gizmo the cat too.  Diva was very pregnant and very strong, but we could tell right away that she didn't spend much time on the end of a leash.  She could easily take me for a drag if I wasn't careful...so we bought her a "no pull" harness and continued to take her for several walks a day, even though she wasn't a fan.

 Heather, my breeder friend, had assured me that Diva was an excellent Mother.  Diva had done this before and I had nothing to worry about.  We were aware that Diva had approximately 8 puppies in her large belly.  We also knew that Dad "threw" white puppies...in other words we could expect to receive black, white, and chocolate puppies.

Diva's due date was "April 1st" give or take a day.  On the evening of April 1st, Diva was digging at the dog bed and couldn't seem to get comfortable...all signs that things were beginning.  Although I had a guest room all prepared for Heather and she assured me she was just a phone call (and an hour and fifteen minutes) away, when I let her know things were getting started she assured me it would still be awhile and to touch base in the morning.  I'm not a natural at this stuff.  I'm scared remember?

I knew it would be a sleepless night of worry.  Every time Diva needed to go out I would throw on my coat and shoes and grab a headlamp and follow her around the yard...again...when you are exposed to this side of dogs and life you know to expect the unexpected...and my brain goes in all kinds of places it shouldn't really go...it's exhausting!

Not sure how it happened but I managed to doze off for a bit.  It's now 6am Saturday morning and Diva is...best I can tell...trying to get my attention.  I get out of bed, ask her if she needs to go out...and instead I follow her into the living room...where I find a wet spot on the carpet and a clean and breathing puppy right near it.  I go into high gear freak mode, holler to my husband that there is a brand new, very much alive and well white puppy in the living room!!!  Dare I say, my husband is very annoyed with my full on freak mode.  We have three golden retrievers in the house and a cat...and a husband...none of which woke up for this welcoming!  I've told you of my past experience.  I've explained that I needed to be standing by and ready to help when a puppy arrived.  I had been told Diva was an excellent Mom, but wow...here it is a year later, I'm sharing this story with you, and it's still so very much amazing to me that Diva delivered a pup, took care of all that comes with that, cleaned it up, got it breathing on it's own and came to get me so I could be standing by for the rest.  Do you get how amazing this is?  Do you get that I have two other mother dogs in the house that managed to sleep through this too?

Needless to say, I let Heather know what was going on.  She has much faith in Diva and I cause she doesn't leave her house without a shower first.  No emergency here!!  (I've shared that I am in high freak mode right?!!)

I relocate Diva to the main level of the house.  I deliver puppy number two, a black one.  Some time between puppy number two and three Heather arrives, and I happily relinquish my midwife responsibility to assistant of midwife.

It takes a good portion of the day to deliver them all.  Eight gorgeous puppies.  Four whites, two males and two females, three black males and one chocolate girl.  Diva continues to amaze me with her Mom skills, often sectioning four off between her front legs to let four nurse at a time.  Again, she is amazing to watch.

Day one...and then the weeks begin to fly...

I have a three generation family of goldens...and we receive many visits and playdates with siblings.  I like to say "one of these dogs is not like the others"...but in reality, Diva is a true Diva, she got along well with everyone!  And enjoyed the occasional opportunity to visit among those her own age :)

and my animal family in turn enjoyed hers.

I thought it was a bit interesting how the colors seemed to stick together :)

And to say I enjoyed my time with them is an understatement.

During the last couple of weeks I put a note on my fb page for dog loving friends who might like to come sit with the pups for an hour while I cleaned up their overnight "kennel".  I was overjoyed to have friends reach out with enthusiasm for some much needed puppy therapy of their own.  A very welcomed break for me!!

Puppies started to go home...

...and then their were three...

...and then there was one...

...and soon he went home too...

an amazing experience that I would be sure to repeat, in a heartbeat!!

Thank you to Heather and Bear Pond Retrievers for a wonderful experience and for trusting me with this opportunity 💜🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

The Targaryen Litter, born October 27, 2017 a Maine Photographer

First let me apologize for the year long absence.  No excuses.  Life is busy.

Six months ago my English Cream golden retriever baby had 4 puppies.  Violet went the same route as her mother, through artificial insemination.  Thank you so much to my BFF Kathy who accompanied me to Cape Cod for the day for the adventure of introducing Violet to her stud male Theo.  When I posted a facebook photo of Theo and Violet, a friend commented that we would have a Targaryen litter.  If you are a Game of Thrones fan you would immediately understand the comment to mean "white hair" and since both my husband and I are fans of the show we thought the litter name was appropriate.  Today the puppies turn 6 months old.  Although I have been missing from this blog, I did post regular photos on facebook during the 2 months that this litter blessed our family.  Here is a little catch up.

I had a little maternity shoot with my girls :)

October 27th, the puppies arrive!!

 ...and begin to grow quickly!!

and, then came the visitors.  Much puppy therapy was provided November and December at the Minor house!!

 and kids always find a creative way to play...

Celebrating Nana Chloe's birthday!!!!

 YES, we visited Santa.  Yes, I need to provide a behind the scenes look ;)  HUGE thank you to my friend Darlene who accompanied us to help keep everyone safe on our outing!!

And possibly my favorite photo shoot of all time.  My husbands idea to bundle the puppies up and take advantage of the time of year and do an LLBean photoshoot.  Yes, we left at the crack of dawn.  Yes, it was zero degrees outside.  Yes, it was once in a lifetime!

So, today the Targarey Litter is 6 months old!!

I am super lucky that 2 of the puppies in this litter are living local, right here in my city, and both of them have remained a big part of my life!!  Brady and Cody, 3rd and 4th born pay a weekly visit to the Minor house.  Their personalities differ slightly, but Matt and I love them unconditionally.  

Brady is part of the Knight family, and he actually lives on my road.  Lucky Lucky me!!  Lucky Brady.  He is a joy!  Definitely a puppy!  He loves to visit with his Mom and Nana!  He looks so very much like his Mama, upon a quick glance it can be tough to tell them apart...and he is SUPER fast!!

He learned to pee outside, in the snow, and last I knew would travel clear across the yard to find it!!

and his human Mom Suzanne brings him by for quick visits, sometimes when his brother Cody is visiting, and she always carries treats!!

This is Cody.  (#4...Orange)  He was the last born.  First at everything.  First to jump out of the whelping box, first to drink from the water dish, first to pee on the pee pad.  He also visits weekly.  He is super sweet and very gentle, but he's sneaky too.  Found the bedtime treats we give to the girls and helped himself.  Both Mom and Nana were horrified of his braizeness and were looking at me in disbelief that I was letting him get away with it!!  Super funny!  Super smart!  He's a puppy for sure!

Since Cody visits often, Josh and I recreated one of our favorite poses!

 Nana Chloebutt is always in charge.  Violet behaves like her offspring and loves to play with Cody and Brady.

 Missy, the only girl of the litter lives in Bangor with David and his family.  David tells me "She is the sweetest!" She loves to ride in the car and goes everywhere with her human Mom.  She is an absolute joy and we thank you for choosing us as her family.  She has more toys than we had as a kid.  Spoiled!!

Joanne talking here...love letters from home always make us smile!!  Happy 6 month birthday baby girl!!

 And another love letter from Ricky Baker, the future STUD of the litter.  Ricky Baker lives in Brewster MA and he is the chosen one to continue our family pedigree.  First we called him "Two" because he was the second born, then we called him "Blue" once I received the colored collars.  He wanted to be claimed by all who met him.  He truly is every definition of a stud.  His human Mom Diane writes "Ricky Baker is so good natured!  He's happy, smart, friendly, gentle with all animals and people, and very well-behaved.  He loves to romp with other dogs, hike, swim, and gnaw on sticks.  Sending you sincere gratitude for your part in getting him started in life!!"

Oh Diane, my family sends so much love and hugs right back at you and Ricky Baker!!  I cannot wait to watch him grow!!

 Thank you everyone who stopped by to read this, it's been a long time coming.  What a blessing for Matt and I to get the opportunity to experience an English Cream Golden Retriever litter from conception to homeward bound!!  Thank you Rushell of Snowypaws golden retrievers, we look forward to doing it all again in 2019!!