The classic cop story: a devious crime, a detailed investigation, an exciting high-speed chase, an intense interrogation, a news conference with flashing popping as the police show off their impressive bust…except this one involves more drool, flying fur, and a gruesome pile of bones… dog bones that is.

The Waterloo Region Police approached me with a very unique task - to create a kickass K9 Calendar to raise serious funds for Special Olympics Ontario. I needed to keep the guns to a minimum and limit the donut jokes, but apart from that, I was free to do as I liked with the project.

It’s rare to be given create carte-blanche on an assignment, so I put my thinking cap on. I could keep things simple - a dozen ‘hero dog’ photos at locations around the Waterloo region, shot from below to make our K9s look mighty? Naa - too easy! How about highlighting the dogs’ unique talents of tracking down missing people and suspects? Hmm…getting warmer. Maybe I can get my dog into the photos somehow?? True to character, maybe she can be a criminal?? Got it! Photograph iconic police movie scenes as a 12 image story where the dogs are the cops and incorporate as many humorous doggy and police stereotypes as possible. Now THIS was a cool idea!

The images I wanted to create were really specific and I had to be sure that I wasn’t taking up too much time of the in-demand police pups, so I needed to plan these photos out in a big way. My drawing skills don’t compare to my photoshop skills, so with the inspiration of Brooklyn 99 reruns, I morphed hundreds of objects into each month’s mockup, paying special attention to perspective, storytelling, and where each subject would be placed. As I specialize in photographing animals, I wanted to incorporate little jokes that dog owners would get - a police chase through an agility course, chewed up pencils, barking at a squirrel up a tree, hiding bones in a big hole.

 

With the Chief’s rubber stamp, we were off to the races. Location scouting, prop sourcing, and dog trick training - I needed those guilty criminal dog eyes on cue!

The commanding inspector, inquisitive detective, goofy desk officer, good cop, bad cop and a pointed hot pursuit, the K9 unit dogs and their handlers were great sports and models, pulling off dynamic expressions like pros. From a pet store crime scene to patrolling Waterloo Region in a vintage cruiser, this calendar tells the story of Ranger, Grim, Chase, and Tracker, as they work to solve a case of stolen dog bones - with a little help from their two-legged handlers. Check out the photos below.

🗓 February🗓 

 🎶 Oh no! Let’s get out and catch her. It’s another case of the Bone Snatcher! 🎶

🗓 March 🗓 

🎶 Caught on tape! Have a look at this, Chief. Zoom in close, we spotted the thief. 🎶

🗓 April 🗓 

🎵Gather round the briefing room. Listen up, the snacks can wait! Dog fur, paw prints. Thinking caps, don’t salivate. 🎶

🗓 May 🗓

🎶 We have a lead! Let’s get dressed. Make this quick, no time for rest! 🎵

🗓 June 🗓

 🎶 Now, lookie here. Don’t let her dash!  If it isn’t the Bone Bandit Burying her stash. 🎶

🗓 July 🗓

 🎶 Chopper spotted, the chase is on.  Hot pursuit before she’s gone! 🎶

🗓 August 🗓 

🎶 Stay! Stay! Check her scruff. Paws on the tree, get out the ‘cuff! 🎵

🗓 September 🗓

🎶 Sirens blazing, full steam ahead.  Quit that barking, try not to shed! 🎵

🗓 October 🗓

🎶 Good cop, bad cop, harsh interrogation! Guilty Bone Bandit questioned at the station. 🎵

🗓 November 🗓 

🎶 Captain here with an update. Detective Tucker,  don’t salivate! 🎵

🗓 December 🗓 

🎶 The case is solved, Police K9 Award.  Bone Bandit Busted, Justice Restored! 🎵