I would have never guessed that Memorial Day 2012 would be one of the steamiest days ever in Columbus. Armed with H2O, treats and noise makers, I headed down to The Ohio State University for a dog photography session. Rudy took second place in my 2012 Cutest Dog in Columbus contest and I could not wait to meet this guy. Rudy’s mom, Emily, choose Mirror Lake on The OSU campus for the photo session. This area of campus is so great and being that it was a holiday, not too busy either.

You would never know that Rudy is 9-years-old. This mix-breed dog was full of energy. He did not really mind the birds and geese hanging around for his session, he just wanted to sniff away and check out the new place he was visiting. We stopped at a variety of spots around Mirror Lake. I tried my hardest to have him sit near the Memorial Fountain to have his photo taken, but there was something about the noise of the water that he just could not sit still! We moved to the opposite side of the lake and he was one content dog and decided to sit, lay and just hang out.

We had a visitor for Rudy’s dog photography session, his new sister Zoey. Although it was Rudy’s big day to be a model, I had to snap a few images of the silly new puppy as well.

I love to share the text submissions that go along with the photos for the contest. As you can see from what Emily wrote, they are a perfect match for each other!

“Rudy had an unlucky start to his life, and I was lucky enough to have him come into mine! He was born to a stray in an old, abandoned house in a, let’s say, “undesirable” neighborhood. After avoiding rescue workers for a few days, Rudy and his siblings were found after the workers pried up some rotten floorboards. He was taken to be cleaned, cared for and eventually – adopted! After 2 previous owners decided they weren’t ready for a puppy, Rudy and I found each other and I like to think that it was a perfect match for both of us from the get-go. He is the perfect blend of calm, playful, sweet and submissive and has been just the best addition to my life. I can’t think of a better way to honor him than a photo shoot and a beautiful canvas portrait hanging on the wall!”

Of course I had to post one of Rudy’s sister Zoey too!