May 14, 2008 – I wanted a photographer’s assistant for a long time, as I keep dropping cameras and lenses and falling into creeks, and nearly getting walloped by cars and trucks. Seems I have three. In the way of dogs, given the chance, to slip into the lives and patterns of the humans they live with, my dogs have happily adapted to the life of the photographer.
 Rose goes up on ahead and looks for work, flushing birds, rabbits and chipmunks. Izzy lies down and watches me, checking out the view, and Lenore looks for things to eat, and always finds something. They all stay within a few yards of me and sometimes the three of them watch me curiously. When the tripod comes out, all three stop and wait, and they are patient, good companions. I talk out loud about the picture, what I want to do, and they seem agreeable generally. I wish one of them could carry a tripod or change a lens.