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allowed on the island. Tori, a black Labrador, and Blue, a German Shepherd,

are New York state–certified police K9s. They work for the New York City

Police Department on Staten Island. Despite being expertly trained at explosive

detection and criminal apprehension, they are totally comfortable around people

and happy to receive lots of affection. I also photographed Pretzel, a rescue from

a high-kill shelter in Los Angeles who now works as a model, most recently posing

with the Fearless Girl statue in Manhattan’s financial district.

Seventh lesson: Professional dogs will sit still for you. Amateur dogs . . . not so

much. Eighth lesson: You can buy the inserts to squeaky toys separately. It’s easier

to hide them in your hand and manage your camera at the same time. Cultivate

the skill of making crazy-sounding noises. I got better and better at this one—ask

me sometime and I’ll show you. Ninth lesson: Be ready to shoot on the first noise you

make, because by the second noise, the dog may lose interest or discover that he

or she is afraid of the camera.

Tenth lesson: Bribery almost always works. Eleven: Even dogs who generally don’t

like treats can be tempted by the peanut butter–flavored ones.

And, finally, the twelfth lesson: Despite the city’s reputation, most New Yorkers are

super friendly, especially New York dog owners. Devoted, giving, and kind, most

of them are happy to take time out of their busy days to hang out and help you

get a great shot of their dog.

I didn’t start out as a dog photographer. I’ve spent the last twenty years focusing

my lens on pretty people and pretty things, from food and textiles to home decor.

This project made me a dog photographer—and the wonderful dogs and people

I met have made me a better photographer, period. This, my year of dogs, has

been one of the best of my life. And though the work for this book may be done,

I have just gotten started.

Thank you, dog lovers and canines of New York.

—Heather Weston, May 2017