E.J.Wilkins

25 Nov 2006 • 937 views
 
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photoblog image Unhappy or smart?

Unhappy or smart?

Taken at the Beaulieu Road Pony Sales.

This dog was fastened to a fence and seemed very unhappy at being left alone. His muzzle was quivering while he whimpered for attention, which was offered by most people passing by ... but who he ignored.
His owner was only about twenty feet away, busy but keeping a close eye on his pet who in turn kept his eyes fixed on his owner.

It seemed almost as if the dog had found a really good way of getting sympathy.

EDIT
Apologies for having written a commentary that gives the impression that this dog was in trouble. He was not.
He was in excellent condition.
He was sitting still, not pulling or trying to move.
The lead was tied to the fence, and was hanging down with plenty of slack.
The noise he was making attracted attention, which he ignored.
He was with his owner, who was a short distance away.
They were among people with other dogs (all on leads) at Pony Sales that are held close to the open Forest and a railway line.
There were no dogs 'off the lead', all were with responsible owners.

The breed?
I think it is a German Shorthaired Pointer, which is a hunting dog.
http://www.pedigree.com.sg/breeds/?b=81&p=G&pp=

my vfxy

Unhappy or smart?

Taken at the Beaulieu Road Pony Sales.

This dog was fastened to a fence and seemed very unhappy at being left alone. His muzzle was quivering while he whimpered for attention, which was offered by most people passing by ... but who he ignored.
His owner was only about twenty feet away, busy but keeping a close eye on his pet who in turn kept his eyes fixed on his owner.

It seemed almost as if the dog had found a really good way of getting sympathy.

EDIT
Apologies for having written a commentary that gives the impression that this dog was in trouble. He was not.
He was in excellent condition.
He was sitting still, not pulling or trying to move.
The lead was tied to the fence, and was hanging down with plenty of slack.
The noise he was making attracted attention, which he ignored.
He was with his owner, who was a short distance away.
They were among people with other dogs (all on leads) at Pony Sales that are held close to the open Forest and a railway line.
There were no dogs 'off the lead', all were with responsible owners.

The breed?
I think it is a German Shorthaired Pointer, which is a hunting dog.
http://www.pedigree.com.sg/breeds/?b=81&p=G&pp=

my vfxy

comments (18)

oh he looks very wise. great capture ellie. i love the expression in this shot. dogs can be so hard to capture as they are always so full of beans. you did a great job.
EJWilkins: Hi Genevieve and thanks. He was very still, apart from his 'upper lip' which was vibrating with the noise he was making.
  • Sorcha
  • Canada
  • 25 Nov 2006, 00:40
i had a dog keep an eye on me like this. though he was never chained. when you said "quivering" i felt a little ill, because i remember the dogs i would rescue.. they would each be so insecure, so fragile and full of fear/hate/bad food/abuse/disease/neglect... that if i even looked the other way once i had bathed-fed-loved them.. they would revert to the original actions of when i had found them. i know you said "getting sympathy" but it is really just incredible devotion and loyalty to his mate. his world is not complete without his human. the dog has soft brown eyes, but old man hair... this affected me for reasons that were not evident upon first looking at the photo. ~S.
EJWilkins: Hi Sorcha, I'm sorry my commentary has upset you, it was not the intention. I have added some more information, and included a link to what I think is the breed, a German Shorthaired Pointer, which is a hunting dog.
hey ellie,

i love this shot. i love the expression that you captured. he looks like an old boy who probably, like sorcha said, is incomplete without his master. i have a pug and he will wimper and cry if i am in the room but he cannot get to me. once he knows that he can get near me at will, he is fine. the story behind the shot reminded me of my little guy.
EJWilkins: Hi Nicole, thanks for your lovely comment.
  • Suby
  • Milton Keynes, UK
  • 25 Nov 2006, 04:47
He is definitely looking for the pity vote tongue

Suby
EJWilkins: I thought so too Suby
  • Ellen
  • New Zealand
  • 25 Nov 2006, 06:49
lovely capture of his emotion.
EJWilkins: Thanks Ellen smile
  • dafredo
  • France
  • 25 Nov 2006, 08:49
I agree with Genevieve the dog looks so wise !!! it's the first word that came out of m mind. Nice one Ellie
EJWilkins: I think wise is a good word to use, thanks. I wish I'd thought of that.
Beautiful portrait Ellie. Any chance you could take out the leash at the top of his head? Great expression, lovely colours. Very good work. Regards, Neil.
EJWilkins: Hi Neil. Yes, I probably could take out the red lead without making it too obvious, it isn't something I thought of. Thanks for the tip smile
  • Louis
  • South Africa
  • 25 Nov 2006, 10:15
Nice old dog, reminds me somewhat of my black labrador. Similar manner of whimpering when i get back from work and won't stop until he has had his pat on the head - will run of, grab his rugby ball and chase the birds.

I think the whimpering in this case is the result of a dog that is taught not to be noisy - or it is inbred. Typical retriever dog way of drawing attention.
EJWilkins: Hi Louis, I've just added something to my 'commentary'. I think the dog is a German Shorthaired Pointer, hopefully somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.
  • Ginnie
  • United States
  • 25 Nov 2006, 14:04
Dogs are known for their incredible show of loyalty, so I agree with those who attest to it in this pic. The fact that he is so intent on his owner while you take his pic is a good case in point.

I love the chocolate coloring with the wisps of white, making him look so wise. This is one soulful dog and, therefore, a soulful pic! smile
EJWilkins: Hi Ginnie, I'm really pleased you like this shot. They eyes had it for me too, so far seeing and, as you say, soulful. smile
Very nice picture - I love dogs !! smile
EJWilkins: Thanks Zebigleb smile
Very expressive portrait! Being a cat person, I appreciate dogs mostly in nice pictures or loyalty tales...smile
EJWilkins: Hi Shamana, I'm a cat person too. smile
  • Vyder
  • India
  • 25 Nov 2006, 17:34
you have captured the expression on the dog just right...im almost feeling sorry for the dog myself...and thats rare...
great focuing once again...

nothing more i can say for this shot really...its good smile
EJWilkins: Thank you so much Vyder.
  • Dotun
  • United States
  • 25 Nov 2006, 17:59
very nice Dog portrait, the framing and composition is on point.
EJWilkins: Thanks Dotun ... and I think the dog is a Pointer ;-)
  • chris p
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 25 Nov 2006, 18:39
Woof grin think I'd have been tempted to have cropped a little tighter - you know me by now Ellie wink
EJWilkins: Woof back! grin
Yes, I expect it would have taken a tighter crop without losing sharpness except on the muzzle.
  • johnnyg
  • United Kingdom
  • 25 Nov 2006, 21:51
Your right about the breed but it almost looks like a cross between a Vimerama (if that's how it's spelled) and a lab. I like the shot without the crop duckie.

It looks like he's sayin, Ok, ok get the horse outta your system so we can go home and eat!
EJWilkins: Ah, thanks for the almost confirmation of the breed and ... *grin* ... you could be absolutely right about what he was thinking! Whatever it was, his mind was completely focused.

Hi Johnny, nice to see you back again, I hope you had a good holiday.
I think the dog is unhappy, maybe at being left alone or so hungry wink
Btw, nice portrait of the dog
EJWilkins: Hi Dudee, thanks for your comment, it's good of you to stop by smile
  • Martin
  • United States
  • 27 Nov 2006, 05:03
This dog looks like it is watching something very intently and you have done a good job capturing this. I am sure the owner of this dog would love the picture, but not your description of the situation :.)
Amazing! He's so expressive... Very well captured!

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camera DiMAGE Z5
exposure mode shutter priority
shutterspeed 1/40s
aperture f/4.0
sensitivity ISO64
focal length 28.1mm
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