Saturday, August 1, 2009

Greatest Hits

Welcome to our 100th post. Last week, someone asked me to name some of my favorite entries. It dawned on me that I rarely look back at them. There will be plenty of moments for reminiscing someday. Right now, it’s all about real time. Back when we started this, I wasn’t sure how long it would last. Now we’ve hit the 3-month anniversary and we’ve packed some really memorable experiences into a short timeframe. So how do I pick one? I always liked the simplicity of our first post. And the origin of the name, That Soft Dog. The recent shoots at the Denver Broncos home field and the 9News Backyard were definitely unique. But I like them all in different ways. If you want a couple more ideas, try this Top 10 list:

Mother’s Day – Jake and his mom, Sentara
Every Day is Halloween – Jake dressed up
Bring on the Dancing Horses – the Mustang at DIA
Coat of Many Colors – Jake at the peak of Nuggets-mania
Who is He (And What Is He to You?) – one of my favorite posts
Blue Monday – Big Blue Bear at the Convention Center
American Boy – Incredibly fun 4th of July weekend in the mountains
Aliens vs. Predator – Dancing Aliens
Red Dirt Girl – Red Rocks
Come See About Me – Jake’s birthday party invitation

Friday, July 31, 2009

Ride a White Horse

Back in May, Jake and I were taking photos around the Children’s Museum and I spotted the sign nearby for Gates Crescent Park. Of course we needed to snag a shot for our collection of Denver Parks. I noted that Invesco Field was in the background across the highway and that it would be fun to try to get Jake on the turf somehow. So here you go. Jake down on the Bronco’s home field. This one was an awesome experience. I’ve been to plenty of games both here and at the old Mile High Stadium but I’ve never had an opportunity to stand on the actual turf. Sometimes Jake helps me do something new, too. Training camp starts today…Go Broncos!

Denver Parks #22

We’ve been so busy with vet appointments and the more complicated photo shoots lately. I just realized it’s been awhile since I’ve taken Jake to a new park. Here’s another one on the sister city world tour, right on the bike path next to Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Milk Cow Blues

Best piece of outdoor artwork at the Denver Art Museum, hands down. It’s called “Scottish Angus Cow & Calf” by Dan Ostermiller. A lot of people must like it too because someone is always hovering around, waiting to have their photo taken in front of it. Especially kids. Today was Jake’s turn. I worked at the DAM for several years during the expansion. BTW, best office location I ever had. Right inside the new Hamilton Building. Whenever I needed a mental health break, I just walked upstairs and strolled through a few galleries. How cool is that?

Two things stick in my mind about these bronze sculptures:

First, I remember the day they installed them. The pieces pulled up on a flatbed truck. I walked out of the museum to the surreal sight of the calf sailing through the air at the end of a crane.

Second, it wasn’t even part of the initial plan for the artwork outside the new building (like the Big Sweep or Denver Monoliths). Someone wanted to donate it to us. We found an empty spot on the south end of the site. It was one of those serendipitous events where the single best thing is always the one that you didn’t anticipate. Unscripted. Unplanned. Unexpected. Just like Jake’s current journey.