I took some pictures of the pets this morning. Trying to get two Labrador Retrievers to stay still – when you want them to stay still – is harder than it looks. In order to get the close shots of them, they kept wanting to come much closer and then the focus was completely off. The front hall was quite bright with natural light coming in from front and back door window panes.

I love our pets. They make us laugh, they make us cry, they comfort us and sometimes drive us nuts, but there’s no doubt that they have such beautiful spirits.

These pictures were some of my favourites.

Maggie. Home. 13 January 2010. © J. Lynn Stapleton

Emma and Gage. Home. 13 January 2010. © J. Lynn Stapleton

Gage waiting. Home. 13 January 2010. © J. Lynn Stapleton

Regal Emma, Home. 13 January 2010. © J. Lynn Stapleton

And because I no longer have him – he was hit by a car when he was 18 months old – here’s one of my favourite shots of Vincent (aka Vinnie) when he was about 8 weeks old. He used to torment the daylights out of my older cat, Maggie (above) by jumping out at her from behind chairs and doors. He got along well with the dogs, though.

Vincent taking a nap. Home. 3 August 2006. © J. Lynn Stapleton