Aussies in the House!

Meet the four R's: Roper, Rocki, Rodeo & Rogue

How happy are these four doggos? Just look at those smiles! Australian shepherds are known have lots of energy and these four were no exception. We actually captured images of them over the course of two photo sessions. The first one was just for Rocki and Rogue. They just strutted on in like they owned the place.

Rogue

• most independent of the four
• will cuddle on his terms
• has the ability to request things by staring at them and then at you
• tattles on his siblings
• the Angel child, but also possibly the ring leader when chaos erupts
• very dramatic

There's a funny story that illustrates just how dramatic Rogue can be. He, Rocki and his mom were playing fetch at the dog park one day, and he jumped up to catch the ball, but came back down and must have landed wrong. He screamed at the top of his lungs, fell over and started to cry. His mom came running and picked him up to look him over. His mother massaged his paw and tried to calm him down for a few minutes. He was acting like something was very wrong and it seemed like a visit to the vet was in order. Then, someone threw a ball nearby, and he took off after it as if nothing had happened! So dramatic! Seems like he just needed a little attention.

Rocki

• the sweetest girl
• always had a toy in her mouth
• bucked like a bronco when it was mealtime
• had the ability to demand treats with her "saucer eyes"
• demanded cuddles

You'll notice the list above is written in past tense. Rocki passed away unexpectedly a few months after these photos were taken, and she is very much missed. Her mom recalls picking her up from the shelter. "She literally just walked up to me and put her head on my chest and let me hug her." What a sweetheart.

She LOVED toys. When she got excited, she would run to get a toy to bring to her people. She didn't actually want anyone to have them though; she just wanted to show them to whomever was interested. She felt that all the toys were hers, but she was kind enough to share them with her siblings.

The best of friends

Rogue and Rocki were very busy during their photo session, but they did stop to pose for a few shots together. Here is one of them.

Nobody's perfect

Outtakes, bloopers, whatever you want to call them -- I love them and so does Rocki and Rogue's mom. They gave us plenty of material to work with. Below is a page from their album. I wish I knew what they were saying to each other!

Jane, I need to schedule another photo session.

Since Rocki and Rogue's studio session went so well, their mom inquired about a session with all four dogs . . .

and two adults. Of course I said yes! It was so much fun! There was a lot of jumping . . .

And many candid moments . . .

Lots of love . . .

And even a posed shot.

So who are the other two dogs in the photos?

Roper

• a true cow dog who loves to herd
• looked like a fluffy little bear cub as a puppy
• has catlike tendencies, such as lying along the top of the couch
• a true wiggle butt
• hates hats but tolerates them at Christmastime just for his mom
• master of his domain

According to his mom, Roper has many nemeses in the neighborhood. He will show no mercy to the red dog down the street, a roaming cat, and anyone who dares wear a beanie. There is no need for the family to have a security system. They have Roper.

Rodeo

• loves to cuddle
• hates walks
• loves to be carried
• takes breakfast very seriously

Rodeo doesn't hold back when expressing his needs and wants. When his people come home, he will launch and jump onto them; this is how he earned his nickname, the Silver Bullet. If one of his siblings takes his place on the couch, he will bat at them with his paw to show his annoyance. If his breakfast isn't ready by 7 A.M., he will wake his people up by batting at them and demand that it be prepared.

One last shot

The Fab Four's session was coming to an end, but we wanted to get a few more shots of them together, so up on the bench they went. Pay special attention to Rogue, the dog with the most white on his chest. :-)