Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 03/02) - It's not easy being cute and hairy.

The SPCA is once again looking for great photos of members of Yellowknife's pet population for its 2003 pet calendar.

Kate Southwell's photogenic beagles Cricket and Baxter pose on the steps of her Old Town home. - photo courtesy of Kate Southwell

Pet owners all over town are scrambling to get that perfect photo of their hyperactive pooches, cats, lizards, guinea pigs and anything else that's housebroken and non-human.

So how do you get your pet to stay still for the shutter? It's not always easy, but it can be done.

Kate Southwell has taken some great still photos of her beagles Baxter and Cricket. She says she is lucky her dogs are so laid back.

"They're very photogenic and they're real posers," she laughs. "They just put themselves in these really neat positions and they just love to pose for the camera.

"The only trick is trying to get the two of them together, unless they're sleeping because they always sleep together," she said.

Baxter and Cricket are very close pals and tend to stick together most of the time, but Southwell has to wait for the right time to start snapping.

"If your dog is excited it's going to be harder."

Waiting until the dogs relax and chill out is a good idea, but always have the camera ready, said Southwell.

"Keep it ready so that when you see a neat pose take several shots."

SPCA president Janet Pacey said pictures of all pets are welcome, from lizards to cats and dogs.

"We've had snakes and turtles and lizards, dogs, cats, horses, everything. And we want everything," she said.

Only 365 photos will be placed inside the 2003 calendar so Pacey said to make sure your submitted photo is a good one.

Outdoor photos are the best, said Pacey, where the lighting is often just right. If your pet is hyper, take it for a good run first so that it looks calm and happy rather than hyperactive.

Pacey is hoping to get more action photos this year. She recalls one photograph of a cat latched on to a screen door.

"The more innovative, the better ... I want to see action -- dogs running, cats playing -- instead of the standard sit-down, look-at-me portrait," said Pacey.

The deadline for photo submissions is July 31. Photos can be dropped off at Yellowknife Photo on Franklin Ave. Don't forget to be creative.