Charlie

Charlie, looking skeptical : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Our dog, Charlie. He's a wonderful little model and isn't often put off by the camera, but occasionally he gives a look that seems to say, "Are you kidding me?! Another photo? Ugh."

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/2013

Hochosterwitz

Approaching Burg Hochosterwitz : Launsdorf, AT

Friend Daniella was able to take a day off and went with us to Burg Hochosterwitz -- a medieval fortress in the rolling hills and countryside of Kärnten. First mention of the castle was made in 860 CE/AD. The castle remains the property of the Khevenhüller family and descendents of this family continue to live in part of the castle. (Members of the Khevenhüller family are part of a long, deep line of European royalty and are in the line of succession to the British throne, but are so far down the list, they'll never wear the Crown Jewels.) The rest of the castle is open to the public for viewing and for events. The grounds include a museum and tours, as well as walking paths, some chapels, and really spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. (As an aside, I had forgotten how breathtakingly beautiful Austria is. It is, in my opinion, even prettier than Switzerland. If you don't believe me, the next time you come to Europe, make Austria part of your itinerary.) More photos here.

Views of the surrounding Austrian countryside from Hochosterwitz : Launsdorf, AT

Charlie leads the way at Hochosterwitz : Launsdorf, AT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Tourists with a Dog

Janet, Charlie, and Maya at Plitvička Lakes : Plitvička, HZ

Just a few photos of us at Plitvička Lakes. We met a lovely American couple and chatted with them on the hike back up to the shuttle bus departure point. They were kind enough to take our photo.

Charlie with Maya at the Falls : Plitvička, HZ 

We arrived early and managed to be just ahead of these crowds on the other side of the lake : Plitvička, HZ

End of the hike. Ice cream break. Look at Charlie. His eyes and face say, 
"That sucked.  You people suck! Where's my ice cream? Can we go home now?" : Plitvička, HZ

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Animal Shoot

Lindan : Geneva, CH

Our friends, Jason and Everett, adopted a new kitten in their lives -- a Bengal named Lindan. We asked if we could shoot a few photos as Maya wants to include animals in her photography portfolio. A couple of shots here and more to be seen here.

The Maddix-Peachey's also have an African Grey Parrot named Olive. I took a few snaps of her, too.

Pretty Bird : Olive : Geneva, CH 

Light in the Eye : Olive : Geneva, CH

And, their house has an enormously fabulous garden, which Charlie loved! He had a good time, too.

Fetch! : Charlie : Geneva, CH 

Roll! Roll! Roll! : Charlie : Geneva, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/2012

Hard Work...

Sun / Shade : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Charlie cracks me up the way he shifts from sunny spots to shady spots all throughout the morning. In my next life, I'd like to come back as a dog who lies in the sun all day and is as loved as Charlie! We really missed our little guy.

Charlie naps in the warmth of the winter sun : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/12

Charlie's Perspective

Underside : First, CH

When you're only 8" tall (20 cm), your perspective is pretty low. Charlie is quite a trooper when it comes to going up and down various Alpine elevations. These are just a few photos of the view from his level.

Aspirational : Schrekfeld, CH

Heading down... : Between Schrekfeld and Bort, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Doggy Wrap

Charlie naps in the netting : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

We don't have traditional screen doors or screens on the windows over here like they do in the States, so we have to improvise. In the doorway going from the kitchen to the terrace, we've strung up netting on a shower rod. Somehow Charlie wrapped himself up in it and fell asleep! It was quite cute.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 7/11

Off the Furniture...

Hold me! : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Charlie isn't allowed on the furniture unless he's being held. This is the look he gives you over the edge of the couch when he wants to be picked up!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 7/11

Handsome Boy

Charlie : At Paddy's Pub : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

We went to dinner at Paddy's Pub the other night and Charlie went with us. Compared to what he looked like when we first got him, he's turned out to be quite the handsome boy. He is, in a word, elegant.

Six months ago...

This is what he looked like when we got him in February. He was malnourished and looked haunted. Now, he's healthy, happy, bright-eyed, and waggy-tailed!


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Peek-a-Boo

Peek-a-boo : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Charlie likes to know what's going on in the kitchen when I'm in there working, but for some reason, he's afraid to come in and just hang out. He use to hang around, but it's possible I've dropped one too many utensils or banged too many cupboards shut, so now he just stations himself right outside and peeks around the door! Totally cracks me up.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Charlie Naps...

Charlie naps on my lap with his head on the armrest of the couch : Ferney, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/11

Travels with Charlie: The Alsace

 From Charlie's POV : Pine Cones : Ribeauville, FR

After visiting the Alps and staying in Lauterbrunnen for two nights, we took friend Sheryl R. to France's famed wine region, the Alsace. Again, I have a bazillion pictures from this area, so instead I snapped a few photos using my Apple iPod and took a couple of photos from Charlie's level. Here's how the world looks from eight inches off the ground! Personally, I think Charlie has a pretty good eye! LOL.

Charlie, a little contre jour,  in the tall grass and dandelions gone to seed : Bergheim, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/11

Travels with Charlie: Pit Stop

Charlie at the La Broye rest stop in Switzerland

Back on April 21, Seattle-based friend, Sheryl R., landed in Zurich, Switzerland, for the start of a nearly three-week stay in Europe. We told her, if she could get a flight to Basel or Zurich, we'd pick her up. She managed that and we followed through. Doing so required a road trip from Geneva to Zurich. It was Charlie's first time traveling more than 30 minutes from home in a car since his road trip from the puppy mill in Italy to the animal rescue in Switzerland. Here he is at the rest stop at La Broye, near Estayver-le-Lac, Switzerland.

Chillin' in the grass, dachshund-style!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/11

Lookin' Good...

On Lead : Versoix, CH

Compared to how he looked a month and a half ago, when we brought him home, Charlie is now doing a lot better. He's gained a kilo plus, he's been neutered and had his dew claws removed, he gets walked daily and is fed regularly. In general, he's a much happier dog. In this picture, he's checking out some horses and donkeys in an adjacent field. To see more photos, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/11

Benches : A Series

A Girl and Her Dog : Château de Penthes : Geneva, CH

The Swiss and the French have this funny habit of putting benches in random places with views of little interest or inspiration. This bench is an exception and begins a series Maya and I will be doing on the benches of Switzerland and France and their views--auspicious or not. This is Maya and Charlie enjoying a piece of art by the Swiss artist André Bucher. The piece is titled "Les quatre confédérés."


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/11

Big Dog, Little Dog

Heel : Versoix, CH

This morning, friends Erik and Christy called to see if we wanted to take Charlie and go for a walk in the Versoix Forest with them and their dog, Caffrey. We jumped at the chance, because Charlie needs to be socialized and comfortable spending time with other dogs (another issue with rescue dogs). He did really well and we all had a blast. I didn't have my big camera with me, but I did have my Apple iPod Touch, so I snapped a few photos. (This week, I'm hoping to get out with the camera and do some real photography again, because there's more to life than just Charlie! Of course, it would help if the weather was more cooperative...)

Big Dog, Little Dog : Caffrey and Charlie in the Versoix Forest : Versoix, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/11

Charlie's Level

Charlie's level : Prevessin, FR

Yesterday, we took Charlie out to a field in Prevessin so he could run around in the open. One of my criticisms of France is, they don't have parks where you can take your dogs, because they don't have clean-up laws here. Rather than address the problem, they just forbid dogs in parks and public open spaces. I wish they were more like the Swiss--who require you to pick up after your dog--because dog poo on sidewalks and in parks is disgusting and unsanitary. In fact, dog poo was one of the detractors of visiting Marseille. Instead of looking up to enjoy the scenery and sights, you're busy looking down to avoid stepping in dog shit. Come on France, you can do better!

Anyway--I digress. We took Charlie out to run around in a cow field in Prevessin and he had a great time! This is a photo taken from down on his level--about six inches off the ground.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/11

Angle of Repose

Angle of Repose : Ferney, FR

On Monday, we formally adopted and brought home the dachshund we visited on Sunday. The next three days were spent trying to figure out a name for this sweet little guy. On Thursday, we finally settled on Charles "Charlie Boy" Bentley. This morning, I took a photo of him in bed in a classic dachshund position--on his back and twisted. It looks painful and I would wake up kinked and unable to walk if I tried that, but Charlie seems to have no problem with this!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/11