Mutley's Snaps Pet Photography

26/06/2024

My boy ❤

One of the things we were desperate for with Ruckus was for him to be good when we are out and about. After Rora causing carnage every time we left the house, we really wanted a dog we could take places and enjoy walks with.

So far Ruckus has been amazing in this department. He so good when on walks. He can go into coffee shops and restaurants, and he will settle. He is so good at puppy class, I think mainly because he is so greedy it's easy to keep his focus on me 😅

He's a smart wee cookie. Impulse control is getting better. He is really good at figuring stuff out for himself. He has learned he is not to jump on Claire. You can see him go to jump on her than he checks himself.

He has the makings of a really good dog. I've had comments from lots of people that work their dogs about how steady he is and how he is going to make a great dog. I'm just going to pretend that these people know what they are talking about and not just some randoms 😅

He is still an absolute tool a lot of the time 😅

23/06/2024

Ruckus is most often on his A game when we aren't in the house.

In the house he is demanding of my time. As a result I'm behind with editing. I am plodding away with it as much as I can. I'm almost caught up.

22/06/2024

Bailey ❤

Bestest girl! She was so sweet.

20/06/2024

Blaze has the best ears ❤️

Such a handsome good dude!

18/06/2024

It's crazy how quickly he is changing.

He is the clumsiest dog in existence. He has zero control over his legs. I'm surprised he hasn't broken anything yet.

Currently trying to work on him ignoring and not jumping on people, which I think he would get as he is pretty smart... but only if I can work on people ignoring him.

I truly appreciate the people that ask before they speak to him!

16/06/2024

I'm now opening up bookings for July, I think I've got into a routine with Ruckus that will allow me to do shoots again!

I'll be booking studio shoots, and location shoots in the Falkirk area, unfortunately I can't travel far or leave Ruckus too long at the moment.

Drop me a message if you would like in!

14/06/2024

Ruckus was 15 weeks yesterday. He's went from 9.6kg four and a bit weeks ago to 16.2kg yesterday. Growing like a w**d. We hope he tops out around 32kg.

You can follow along with his journey at

13/06/2024

Zepp update...

Had his referral appointment at the orthopaedic vet yesterday.

His knee is definitely popping out. However she doesn't think it's causing him any real discomfort - the fact she was able to pop it in and out - Zepp couldn't care less, his pain killers ran out at the weekend and he hasn't changed his behaviour, he has been running and jumping as usual, etc. If it pops out he will just stretch out his leg to pop it back in place.

What to do about it.

We do nothing and it's probably not going to hinder him beyond stopping to stretch out to put it back in place. The issue with this is the potential for arthritis and pain in the future... might not happen.

We could have it surgically repaired. This was the worry, Claires sister's cat had 3 failed knee surgeries and unfortunately had to be put to sleep(the other knee was gone as well). Zepp's surgery wouldn't be as invasive as that surgery, and if he did something stupid in recovery the worst would be he is in the same position he is now.

The issue with the surgery is the stress it puts him under, then 6 weeks cage rest, with a further 6 weeks of slow introductions back to his normal life.

We aren't sure what to do. The vet is off on holiday for 2 weeks now, so we are going to take the time to think about it. It also give Ruckus another two weeks to settle into routines.

12/06/2024

This is Ruckus and his mum the day I picked him up from Wales. Ruckus is from working lines and he will end up with a coat as red as his mums if not darker. Like mum he will get a bit hairier but not overly so. He will be athletic.

I think to a lot of people, he probably doesn't look like what they expect a golden retriever to be. I'm not sure anyone we met randomly has known he is a golden, except the very first people we talked to who had a working one in their car :)

11/06/2024

Mr ZeppZepp has an appointment with the orthopaedic vet tomorrow.

We think he has luxating patella, his knee popping out of place.

We are worried about him. Zepp is our sensitive one. Not sure how he will do being in the vets without us. I'd he has to get the op it's a long period of cage rest for recovery. It's all really stressful.

Fen would be ok as he is more confident. Ruckus would be cool as he just loves people, he lap up the attention.

Zepp is cuddle monster with me. I'm his person. He is always more confident with me around. Without me he'd rather just hide away.

Sending good vibes for our good little dude.

09/06/2024

What does it mean to be a photographers dog? You practice your sit stays on rocks and logs from day one.

08/06/2024

Woofventures' model images aren't too far away for all the pups' parents. Well except mines, I'm a bit behind... Who'd have thought a puppy was such hard work... Exhausting 😴😴😴

I'm getting there though and everyone else is way ahead of me.

Glencoe forever ❤

08/06/2024

Pug dudes! Sparky and Hugo!

Such nice wee guys. Sparky showered me in kisses, Hugo was more dignified 😅

06/06/2024

We have booked the house for Woofventures 2025!

And we will most definitely be bringing da Ruckus! He will be our in-house model for studio.

Join the wait list to be the first to hear all about it.

https://www.woofventuresretreats.com/

04/06/2024

Ruckus went paddleboarding yesterday... He got on better than me 😅💦 videos in comments.

03/06/2024

Rosco and Albert ❤

These guys were adorable! Albert just wanted to sleep on the chesterfield in the sun, I'll drop a pic in the comments of him lounging.

Gorgeous boys.

02/06/2024

When you are totally into it but your bro is so over it!

Handsomest dudes.

31/05/2024

13 weeks and growing like a w**d!

He is getting redder. Coming from working lines he will turn a darker red as he grows up.

I keep getting asked all the time if he is a fox red lab, seriously? 🤣

28/05/2024

Happy 10th birthday to the handsomest of dachshunds... Mouse!

It's no secret that I adore Mouse, I'm forever telling anyone that will listen that I'd unlikely still be in business if it wasn't for the day Mouse and Munchie walked into my studio.

I'd say I hope your getting spoiled rotten but of course you are, no way your mum isn't giving you everything you deserve... lucky pup!

Happy Birthday Mouse

27/05/2024

Little Olive and Scout ❤

Not going to lie I had the perfect shot of them both only to realise that my light trigger had switched itself off 🥲

But I still got lots of adorableness from them both!

24/05/2024

12 weeks old and the perfect model.

Ok we will gloss over the pooing in the studio, walking in it and dragging it everywhere...

He has developed a pretty solid sit stay.

He is an absolute angel whenever we take him anywhere. Snoozing in bars and cafés left right and centre.

Although it's not all been a bed of roses. I was struggling pretty hard. From the retreat, to the drive to Wales to all the puppy shenanigans I was in dire need of some down time. Ruckus had other ideas.

But luckily I'm friends with a clinical behaviourist who gave us some reassurance and advice. Which to be honest was a life saver.

Still getting caught up on work. Again not easy at the moment. I feel like I may need 6 months pupternity leave 😴😴😴

Cats are getting more confident around him every day as well. I think it will still be a while until they are all besties but I'm no longer worried.

21/05/2024

Daffodil, Red and Tilly ❤

Sorry for slow replies. Puppies are hard work. Ruckus is full on angel when out. In the house he is lot, especially managing the cats and he is very attached to me(although Claire has been working with him and he is starting to settle with her).

I'm probably going to be booking from July for anything that isn't already in the diary. Need to work up to Ruckus being left so I can do sessions.

20/05/2024

Today marks a week since we picked up Ruckus!

😴😴😴😴

I'd forgotten how much work puppies are!

Although if you ever meet him, he will act like he is the perfect angel... it's a trap 😅

Last night he went for a walk with our collie buddies Alta and Rue, the girls were very nice to him(mainly ignoring his existence 😅). Alta did give him a telling off for jumping in her face. Ruckus legit thought he had been murdered! Then proceeding to jump in her face again straight away 😅 He managed to get 4 paws wet in the river as well!

Earlier in the day he visited our nephew Cody on his 11th birthday. Cody and his wee brother Olly(3) were running around playing, shouting, falling over, crying, kid stuff... Ruckus curled up in a ball and slept through it all. This is the part where he pretends he is the perfect angel until he gets home.

Lots of little walks during the week. We met drunk people, they are way more exciting than normal people and he got a little bouncy. We have met loads of people in the street and he does a nice sit and lets them say hello. Heard ambulances. Saw some boys playing football. Met roller blades, bikes, scouters, buggies, etc. Nothing has bothered him so far.

He seems to have a good read on other dogs, nice dogs he just sits nicely. Dogs that are nervous, etc he can spot a mile off and isn't sure of those.

Oh and we had a photoshoot with his aunty Kristen at the Kelpies where he did his best sits, downs and stays. He was the goodest boy.

Slowly getting there with the cats. The cats seem to be their old selves again. They are happy to be in the same room as him, they just aren't too sure of his movement yet. He can be a bit of a d.bag when he is in a worked up mood and spots them through the gate. But overall happy with our progress with them all. I was worried about Zepp but he is back to his flirty cuddly self.

We are off to Glasgow today to visit St. Lukes and the Barras... excited! A little heart broken that it's not the 13th Note for his first outing to Glasgow (hopefully the workers will be able to take over the lease and reopen it... mon' the workers!). And I think we will do a trip to the big Tiso's in Glasgow to look at dog life jackets... I bought us a paddle board.

It's been a good first week. Out of the house he is everything we want. In the house we are still working on what games and training work for his over tired, over stimulated moods(in-between threatening to send him back to Wales 😅).

But then he looks at you with those soft eyes and soft face, and all is forgiven

16/05/2024

❤️❤️❤️

We’re still touring Scotland, but finally at a place with stable Wifi; these past 16 days have been nothing short of incredible.

I never dreamed I’d be here, and have a few dozen people to thank.

Our Woofventurers (our lovely students,) - thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for putting your trust into us for our first ever retreat. Without you, none of this would have been possible. I loved spending time with and getting to know all of you. ♥️ Thank you also for putting up with Ewan’s driving on those tiny curvy roads. 😅

Our dog models, again, without you, we’d be just walking around the countryside accosting anyone we saw with a dog. Thank you for taking time out of your day, making the (sometimes very long) drive to our remote locations, and being in great spirits the whole time. I can’t wait for you all to see what stunning images our students have created. 📸

Claire and Daniel - the ones behind the scenes, keeping Ewan and I from falling apart. From perfecting the website & slides, to driving and cooking, to making sure Ewan and I kept our s**t together over this past year. You two are the unsung heroes of this whole thing. 💕 Wildflowers & Pixels Design Studio

Chef Aggie, girl you rocked it. Each meal was better than the previous and you were so fantastic with all the individual dietary needs. I’m pretty sure everyone wanted to take you back to the states; please promise to always be available for retreats. 👩🏻‍🍳

Jozsef at Muckrach - thank you for the incredible stay, and keeping us loaded on Nespressos.

Oh, and I guess I need to thank Ewan too. For taking a chance on me, for not giving me too much s**t this go-round, for being the yin to my yang. For scouting and picking out the best locations. For putting up with my “huh, say that again” when I’ve not yet had coffee and can’t comprehend that fast Scottish accent. I’m so very thankful to have met you and truly can’t say there’s anyone I’d rather do this with. Mutley's Snaps Pet Photography

Ok, enough being sappy. We only have a few more days in this beautiful, rugged country and there’s mountains to climb and burns to wild swim in! 🥾🏔️

PS: Daniel, even a bigger shout out for being the perfect dog model, driver, egg cooker, coffee maker, porter, butler, heavy-bag-lifter, and all around best husband ever. (Keep it up when we get back home, yeah??) 😉😘

15/05/2024

Big couple of days for Ruckus.

We had his vet check. He was great and super calm. He is a chunk at 9.6kg 😳

We met the labs across the road, he just sat and was calm around them.

Spoke to Ragnar next door through the gate a couple of times. Again super calm. Helps that Ragnar is a good boy!

Introduced to the traffic. Treats are way more interesting than trucks passing.

Went to Pets at Home. Said hello to some people. Saw a worried staffie that was in at the vets, he didn't mind. Met a nervous puppy, he wasn't keen but not overly worried.

Met our nephew's 3 and 11. Had fun playing with them but didn't get over excited. No mouthing or jumping.

Went to his first coffee shop. Calmly said hello to people. Had his lick mat, then curled up and went to sleep.

His first instinct when meeting someone or something new is to do a nice sit and stay calm ❤️

We definitely got a good one!

Cats are slow introductions on their terms. Fen is super curious, he wants to say hello but is not sure of him moving around too much. But Fen is just his usual self, neither up nor down him being there. Zepp is a bit more nervous. He has been hiding away a lot but has been out and about more today. They have both been for a close inspection when Ruckus has been sleeping. We will get there when the cats are ready.

Oh and his theme song is obviously Bring da Ruckus by Wu-tang Clan.

14/05/2024

Haven't had much time to sit down and unwind since our Woofventures Retreat!

I don't know what to say about it. Thank you to all the attendees, means the world to me that you put your trust in me and I had a great time hanging out with you all. All our dog models were amazing, again super grateful for you coming along.

The house, Muckrach, was insane! Way too fancy for a wee boy from a scheme.

Our Private Chef Aggie was brilliant. I can't recommend her high enough. Food was delicious, she catered for all our various allergies and diets. It was always bang on time Heavy Metal Munchies

Always massive thanks to Claire for putting up with my worrying and stressing, and keeping the wheels from coming off.

Ok this bit is hard, being nice to Kristen ;) ... I couldn't think of a better person to be my co-host than Kristen Murray Photography. We are very different but (I think) compliment each other well, when not being mean to each other. Kristen is super talent and very driven. Really couldn't have done it without her. I'd have freaked out and had a million melt downs without her keeping her sh together for both of us.

Can't forget Kristen's husband Daniel who made everyone breakfast and helped with the driving, and just another sold calming presence for the week. (Plus it's always fun to gang up on Kristen with him!)

I've not slept in a week and a half, I've drive a stupid amount of miles. So that will do for now.

Much love for everyone involved!

13/05/2024

Introducing Ruckus!

He has a theme song but Claire says I'm not allowed to post the lyrics 😅

He slept all the way back from Wales today.

He is so calm. We love him already.

09/05/2024

Is anyone around Aviemore Friday night with a friendly dog that would like to come hang out with a bunch of dog photographers for some studio images?

Around 7pm for an hour or two.

You will get some images in return for your time. Your dog will get treats and lots of love!

09/05/2024

Is anyone around Aviemore Friday night with a friendly dog that would like to come hang out with a bunch of dog photographers for some studio images?

Around 7pm for an hour or two.

You will get some images in return for your time. Your dog will get treats and lots of love!

29/04/2024

I have this adorable face on my screen all day ❤

I will be sending emails to everyone that applied to model at Woofventures over the next few days, we'd had issues with the invites bouncing and ending up in spam folders. The joys of technology!

This is me pretty much out of office until June with the Retreat and the puppy! I will still be answering emails, etc but I won't be doing any shoots.