Buttercup

Jan1

Some of our favorite photos of Buttercup:

Play!

Oct7

Clear the Way!

Sep29

Buttercup precedes the trail runners. She needs to be out in front.

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Nikon D5100 f/8 ISO 400 1/250 sec 55-300@86 mm – Autumn 2012

This is usually fine, unless she somehow winds up behind. Since she usually carries a stick, when she attempts to pass the runners, she causes some loud yelling and flat-out-running attempts to evade her scratching stick! Some of the runners find this much more amusing than others 😉

Buttercup

Aug30

Buttercup at age 7 3/4 years. She will be 8 in October!

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Nikon D5100 f/8 ISO 400 1/250 sec 68mm – Summer 2012

The Dutch Shepherd has been the perfect breed choice for our active son. She will help him guard or catch his chickens, accompany him on his bike rides or hikes, swim with him, play fetch, and even participate in 4-H dog shows. And, although she has never yet met a person she doesn’t like, we still feel confident that she would protect her boy against an attacker. She butts in if family gets too rough and makes him squeal or laugh too loudly, and I think she would be more assertive with a stranger. Good Dog, Buttercup!

Loyal Companion

Jul23

Buttercup is a great dog! She does get worried when her boy is missing. This weekend he and his brother and dad were all off doing Boy Scout activities, leaving Buttercup home with me.

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Nikon D5100 f/4.8 ISO 800 1/250 s Nikkor 55-300@105mm – Pet Portrait, Summer 2012

She kept a close eye on me, and stayed near by, wherever I went. This afforded me several opportunities for nice photos, like this one taken at sunrise Sunday morning.

I wanted to take photos at the pond before the dogs stirred it all up, so she and Zookie were staying on the pond bank, patiently awaiting their turn in the water. When they got in, they had great fun! (photo coming tomorrow)

Conflict in the Woods

Feb19

At first I was going to leave Buttercup home so I could have a better chance to see wildlife.

I relented and let her come along. We heard snarling and hissing. I wondered what it could be, but Buttercup recognized those hen house raiders from some previous midnight encounters. One went up a tree, while the other tried to hold off the dog.

In this case I actually got the shot thanks to my assistant, Buttercup – and she also served as model 🙂 Good Girl, Buttercup!