Christabel Linn | Christabel Photography

Caerphilly, Wales

Christabel Photography

SOUTH WALES DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

Loosely translated, Cyfarthfa is Welsh for ‘place of barking’. Cyfarthfa Castle was named for the loud barks of hunting dogs that were regularly heard echoing around Merthyr Tydfil town. The Place of Barking was an aptly named photoshoot location for dogs Bayley and Nala.

In total, Christabel Linn photographed eleven dogs exploring local country estates, mansion gardens and castle grounds throughout historic hillsides of Caerphilly,Wales.

These shoots all raised over $900 for Many Tears Animal Rescue (MTAR). MTAR primarily rehomes ex-breeding dogs who are no longer required; those on ‘death row’ in the pounds and those whose owners are no longer able to keep them.

They are a unique rescue in that the majority of their dogs have never seen the outside world before. The rescue has grown considerably since it first opened and now homes in excess of 3,000 dogs a year.

Read on to check out the beautiful work of Christabel Linn . . .

Pippa at Belle Vue Park Newport

Belle Vue Park is a beautiful Victorian public Park in Newport with a pavilion, bandstand and rockeries, and most importantly if you're a dog, lots of squirrels!!

Pippa loves the outdoors and is a complete poser. A very loving, loyal and sweet girl

Theodore at Sirhowy Valley Country Park

Theodore is a characterful yellow Labrador who despite still a puppy is as big as a fully grown lab. Has heart of gold but very energetic. Favourite things are his cat brothers, tennis ball and of course food!

Ginny at Margam Country Park

Margam Country Park is a 90 acre estate within which are three notable buildings: Margam Abbey, a Cistercian monastery; Margam Castle, a neo-Gothic country house and the 18th-century Orangery.

"Princess Ginny" went from an 18 month old rescue with no fur, dry eyes and dermodex mange to a full blown BEAUTIFUL princess and her Mum from someone who suffered anxiety and depression and didn’t leave the house to an extremely confident young person who has a social life and a best friend! The real question is who rescued whom?

Bayley

"Cyfarthfa Castle is a castellated mansion in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Cyfarthfa loosely translates from the Welsh for place of barking. The reason is hunting dogs were regularly heard in this area of the town, hunting polecats and weasels among others.

Bayley is the most loving boy, he still thinks he’s small as he will jump on my lap and catch up for hours. I’d say his funny quirk is he loves to be up on his back legs!"

Ginny

"Margam Country Park is a 90 acre estate within which are three notable buildings: Margam Abbey, a Cistercian monastery; Margam Castle, a neo-Gothic country house and the 18th-century Orangery.

""Princess Ginny"" went from an 18 month old rescue with no fur, dry eyes and dermodex mange to a full blown BEAUTIFUL princess and her Mum from someone who suffered anxiety and depression and didn’t leave the house to an extremely confident young person who has a social life and a best friend! The real question is who rescued whom?"

Lizzie

"Tredegar House is a 17th-century Charles II-era mansion on the southwestern edge of Newport, Wales. The GRad 1 listed building stands in a landscaped 90 acre garden and is now owned by National Trust.

Lizzie was rescued by Many Tears in 2016. She was used for breeding in a puppy farm and was so broken, now she is a very different dog. She loves her food and has become a confident happy dog that loves the outdoors. "

Nala

"Built in the 13th century Caerphilly Castle is the largest in Wales and second largest in the UK after Windsor Castle.

Nala is a very active labrador who loves the outdoors! She has a very distinctive curly coat, loves her ball and a treat."

Pippa

"Belle Vue Park is a beautiful Victorian public Park in Newport with a pavilion, bandstand and rockeries, and most importantly if you're a dog, lots of squirrels!!

Pippa loves the outdoors and is a complete poser. A very loving, loyal and sweet girl"

Pippa

"Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes are sand dunes and a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Bridgend, south Wales. The largest dune at the site is known as The Big Dipper and is the second-largest of its kind in Europe, measuring around 200 feet (61 m).

Adopted from Hope Rescue at approx 6 months old after being found as a stray, Pippa's owner describes her as a little pocket rocket, always full of life. Peter Pan Dog! Cheeky beyond belief. So loving and loyal. Just always wants to be with you (even under the duvet!) . "

Sooty

Sooty is just a loveable lab. He can be your a typical lab, but loves chasing a rugby ball (he's been chased round fields before when he as acquired some from games being played!)

Theodore

Tilly

"Set just back from Southerndown beach are some Grade two listed walled gardens and Dunraven Castle ruins.

Tilly loves to chase ball or the birds down the beach and as we now know, rabbits whilst on a photoshoot!!"

Bella and Donnie

Both Many Tears rescues after being rejected for being "wonky" Bella and Donnie are proper brother and sister, best friends who love each other dearly, play together endlessly, and argue over toys! We photographed them together at Belle Vue Park in Newport

Christabel Linn is a featured photographer in Tails of the World: The Book. You can follow Christabel’s dog photography adventures on Instagram, and be sure to check out the Christabel Photography website to learn more.

Purchase your copy of the Tails of the World Book, and enjoy more dog photography and stories from around the globe. 100% of the proceeds of this book go to Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

My name is Christabel and I am an award winning pet and family photographer based in Risca, South Wales UK.

I have been a professional photographer for over 15 years but after losing my boxer dog Reef, who was my best friend, I changed the direction of my business and now specialise in pet photography.

The beautiful acrylic wall arts I have of Reef are the focal point of my lounge and I love having him there watching over our family life. I truly believe dogs are part of the family, and as such my aim is to create stunning images of them, and your relationship with them, to cherish and be on your walls for years to come.

WEBSITE

Featured

Author: Caitlin J. McColl

Caitlin J. McColl is the multi-award winning artist behind Ragamuffin Pet Photography, author of five dog-filled books and founder of the Tails of the World Collective. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, two boys and a scruffy family of rescued animals. She’s a bit of an introvert, a lot of a dork, and so very passionate about making a difference for pets in need.

RAGAMUFFIN WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK