Nice Nosing You: For the Love of Life, Dogs and Photography

by Elke Vogelsang

From acclaimed animal photographer Elke Vogelsang comes a charming, personal collection of portraits of her three dogs—Noodles, Scout, and Loli. Nice Nosing You presents Elke’s expressive portraits of her much-loved dogs; a collection compiled over two years in what became a personal and touching project for Elke and her husband, Carsen.   
One year on Christmas Day, Elke’s three dogs suddenly started barking outside the bathroom door. Investigating the commotion, Elke discovered Carsen collapsed in the bathroom. He had suffered a major brain hemorrhage, and the dogs had in fact saved his life, discovering him at a crucial time. The months immediately following were filled with much uncertainty, and in an attempt to establish some sort of routine and find something to lift her husband’s mood, Elke started taking photos of their dogs to show Carsen in the hospital. Over the next two years, as Carsen slowly recovered, Elke’s project became an obsession.  
Gathered here in a stunning collection, Elke’s photographs are captioned with inspiring quotes, illustrating the personal encouragement she and her husband found in these intimate and playful images. Praised by Good Morning America—“people are going nuts over these photos”—and The Huffington Post—“Elke Vogelsang has taken dog portraits to a new level”—this is truly a collection to treasure.

Genres: Photography, Dogs, Nonfiction, Animals

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2015

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and a tribute to these three awesome dogs. On Christmas Day of 2009, these three dogs started to bark outside of the bathroom door. When the author investigated, she found her husband unconscious in the bathtub. He had had a major brain hemorage, and the dogs alertness saved precious time, in getting him to the hospital. Elke Vogelsang presents Noodles, Scout and Ioli in various artistic photos, but through of the pictures the dogs winning personalities and hearts shine through.

[kaotickitten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not to bad of a coffee table type book. Pictures were great. Had an interesting story to go along with the pictures. Insight into why the photographer went into photography. My only problem with this was the pacing, it was a little sporadic.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vogelsang's book about her husband's sudden illness and recovery, her three rescue dogs' role in their lives, and her discovery that she could do the thing she most loves (photography) for a living all mesh together in this fast read that is laced with charming photos of her three adorable dogs: Noodles, Scout, and Ioli. The book is not at all preachy about rescue dogs, but you would sure hope that by 2018 most people know this is a solid option. If not, perhaps Vogelsang's photos and this book will assist in a small way.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love coffee table books that contain photos of animals. This one also comes with a sweet story and descriptions fo the three dogs so it's just amazing and everything I wanted.

[Eli Poteet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a staff recommend from my local public library and I smiled the entire way through; every page felt intentionally crafted. I was charmed by the dog models stories as well as their lovely canine profiles. My home is what it is because of my two floof dogs, thankful for them and what lessons theyve brought into my life.

[Baffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for books like this: dogs, dogs and even more dogs! These ones are particularly expressive and funny, and photographer Elke Vogelsang, who went from hobbyist to professional, has a great eye for bringing out the entertainment talent in her three canine companions in a natural way (Vogelsang isn't too keen on Photoshop and the like).

Noodles, Scout and Ioli are true mood enhancers and just make me smile no matter how bad I feel.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming photo essay on the joys of sharing one's life with dogs. Elke Vogelsang tells how her dogs literally saved her husband's life and how they continue to enhance the lives of her and husband, even to the point of prompting her to become a full-time photographer, a job that she loves. The photos are great--the dogs can be fun, beautiful and downright goofy-looking at times. It's a good way to get people to adopt dogs. She provides profiles of her three dogs, Noodles, Scout and Ioli and then peppers the books with pictures of her dogs along with various famous quotes about the loyalty of dogs and of love in general. It's a very enjoyable read.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet little coffee table book. It's great for anyone who enjoys photography and dogs. I've followed Elke Vogelsang's work online and was excited to pick up her first book. I am not disappointed, it's a very sweet representation of her love for dogs and photography.

[Wilmina Rundle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What great fun is this photo essay! Anyone who enjoys dogs will love these wonderful and expressive photos by this talented photographer. Her personal story, and that of the dogs and how they came to have them, add more depth and allow you to appreciate these photos all the more.

[KNK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few of the photos are too staged and silly, but the rest are hard to resist - what can I say, I also am nuts for sight hounds and/or long-snouted creatures!