Say Cheese

After two years, we've yet to get a good photo of Coda. We’ve tried outdoor shots with him lying on the grass and pictures by the fireplace with his stuffed duck. What can I say, Coda's just not photogenic. Until recently, I thought he was just leery of cameras. Turns out Coda’s just leery of us.

The other day Coda was playing with Vienna. Vienna (Black Lab) lives across from the park and is the sweet dog that trots about the neighborhood on her own. Everyone knows and loves Vienna. But on this particular afternoon, Vienna wasn’t out by herself. Vienna’s family was having a reunion.

Thirty people were gathered on the front drive, laughing and talking. They looked like the kind of group you’d love to have at a Bar-B-Que. While the family exchanged greetings, Vienna and Coda merrily played in the park. Then Vienna’s owner called for her. The family was lining up for a group photo and wanted her in the picture. Vienna, the good dog, went right to her owner and sat down where instructed. Then, yet again, Coda shocked me.

Coda ran over to the family, turned toward the camera, and plopped himself right next to Vienna. A professional photographer couldn’t have staged it any better. I called for him, but Coda was suddenly Cindy Crawford and wouldn’t budge. Why wouldn't they want me in the photo? At least everyone was laughing when they took the picture. I tried to convince them the photo was proof Coda now belonged to them, but there were no takers.

Of course Coda still grimaces at our camera and even tried to steal it the other day. No, he hasn’t changed his ways. And now we have to add poser to his growing list of "traits." We’ve yet to determine if this is a passing phase, but at least we finally have a decent photo of Coda.

Next, I'll tell you about Coda's first time at the "Bark-N-Splash." Every summer the community pool is set up so doggies can go for a dip. Labradors are known for their prowess in water, and there were so many Labs in the pool I almost couldn't find Coda. Almost. I didn't even have to look when the man next to me said, "Whose Lab is that? He looks like a drowning victim." Yep, it was you know who.