The puppy found a home!

Our local Fire department saw the ad I posted about the abused puppy! They decided to adopt him. He went from being an abused, basically homeless puppy...to becoming a big, bad, fire dog! Thank you Lord for answering my prayers... ;)

He has an amazing home now...so I don't worry about him.

The puppy Update!

My last post was about the puppy that I adopted. Here are some pictures of the healthy pup playing with my dog who is about the same age and LOVES playing!

He has gained about 4 lbs already and is definitely filling out. I have bathed him several times...but it is kind of pointless because they both roll around in the grass all day wrestling! He seems so much happier now though compared to the first day I brought him home.

PS: he is my only outdoor dog, It is so cold and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to keep him warm. Right now he is in an igloo dog house and I have like 7 blankets inside and outside of the dog house. I also have newspaper insulating the walls and a tarp over it to keep heat in. I have been heating up a neck wrap and putting that in there with him and he seems alright. But is there anything else I can do? I feel so bad for leaving him outside, but he isn't potty trained and he has been an outdoor dog for 7 months...so I feel like he is happier outside. I tried to put him inside once and he cried all night until I put him back out! lol

Do I care too much?

I have no idea why people act the way they do...

I guess I am the exception to the 'rule'. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am an animal LOVER! Especially dogs! This doesn't mean that I want to turn into the "crazy cat lady" or in this case "dog lady". I don't want an un-godly number of animals running through my home. I just want to take care of those that need me....and this one does.

I just adopted a dog that has been abused. He wasn't fed well or taken care of. I brought him home and was brought to tears at the site of this scrawny, little, pathetic sad excuse of a pet. He was trembling at the very thought of me getting near him. I explained in a very soft tone that I wasn't going to hurt him. I fed him slowly and made sure he had water. It didn't take long for him to get sick (he was malnourished and couldn't keep anything down). He finally came to me and allowed me to pet the top of his head. This sort of introduction went on for about an hour as I was cleaning the house.

I then sat in the floor with him and picked him up. He froze. He had never been pet or loved on before! He trembled as I covered him with a blanket and stroked his fur. He is a very pretty dog...once you get past the initial shock of seeing bones though his skin. He allowed me to hold him while I watched a movie...every hour that went by he trusted me a little more.

Today went so much better. He now trusts me and is only skittish when other people are around. He is starting to "play" with the other dogs. He even tugged on a rope with what little strength he does have.

This dog is going to be fine. I have named him "Samson". Because although he is weak now, he will be strong one day. He has survived something that he shouldn't have. Neglect and abuse. He is already starting to gain weight and fill out (and it has only been two days). I can't wait to see what plan God has in store for this little fella!

It breaks my heart to see animals not taken care of. Please tell someone if you know of an abused animal. It is very worth it. These animals can't fight back and don't have a voice.

Hard lesson...

I am a new photographer...well, I have been taking pictures since I can remember. But this is the first year I have ever pursued it as a career. It has been an amazing learning experience. Starting my business was really challenging. I have made many mistakes in the past year (business wise) but am trying to take every experience and use it as a stepping stone to reach my ultimate goal.

I learned an extremely hard lesson this morning...One that almost put me into cardiac arrest!

I have had a VERY busy month with photo shoots. I work (my other job) 4 days a week and try to do at least 5-6 photo shoots a week. Keeps me very overwhelmed!

My day started off horribly. I usually get up at 3:30AM and meet my trainer at the gym at 4. Well, I woke up to his phone call at 4:05. "great...I hate being late". I rushed to get dressed and jumped in my car. "DING DING" (Low fuel)...augh. After arriving at the gym, I had a mediocre workout due to the fact that I only got 3 hours of sleep. After grabbing breakfast with a couple friends I headed home. "sweet...I have 3 hours to photo edit until I have to leave for my 'real job'". I began uploading my photos to my laptop. "2 minutes remaining"

Almost done. ERROR! Ok, maybe its not a huge deal...(I thought obliviously as my hardrive crashed.)

No way did that just happen. (heart stops for a second)

Oh yes it did! OMG. (heart pounding)

I lost 5 total photoshoots. What am I going to do? (Heart attack in full effect now and tears begin their journey down my cheeks and they wouldn't stop for several hours)

LUCKILY, I am married to the most amazing man in the world. He recovered all of my images by the afternoon.

Thank you Jesus! God had to have a hand in teaching me this very important lesson:

Back up your work often! :)

I have learned many lessons...this one was the hardest!

WEBSITE!!

Hey Guys!

My website has a new look! Check it out!

You may notice a new tab for "Galleries". I have catagories for Babies, Kids, Seniors, Portraits, Couples, Maternity, Corporate and pets.

Thanks for your continued support and feedback!!! ;)

WEBSITE!

I have officially began "courtney utley photography".

My website is www.Courtneyutleyphotography.com

Check it out!

Busy bee!

So since the start of my photography business, I have been overwhelmed
with work. I feel really bad for not posting like I should on here! I
am still taking pictures every day but I just don't have the time to
post often. I will continue posting fun things on here just not every
single day! I am having alot of fun with my photography and hope that
it continues being a hobby turned career and not seem like work.

Relaxing

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My gerbers from my wonderful husband...he does listen...once a year. lol

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Using my new NIKON D90!

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Allison and I watching the fight.

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TGI Fridays in Conway. I am the official photographer.

Check more out on my new website:

www.courtneyutleyphotography.com

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Our friend was in town! YAY!

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Random...bored.

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Apparently this is how she is comfortable... She sleeps on her back
most of the time... Hilarious!

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Sent to me from my friend in Hawaii!!! Gorgeous!

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meghan's shoot today...

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awww! Love friends! ;)

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Painting my friends house... Augh it's taking forever... Lol tinted
kilz is the best stuff ever!

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she was so tired after all the pictures were taken... lol

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georgia is just so cute! I loved taking pictures of her!

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a shoot I did in conway with baby georgia... not happy to be in the grass!! LOL

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One of my best friends, Derrick, was an amazing little model! lol

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One of my amazing friends!

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Sam was not amused as we were all picking out paint colors for his new house...HE should appreciate my "free" advice! Lol. Derrick and I have it covered! ;)