Lucky Mutt Photography | Minneapolis, St Paul Dog & Pet Photographer | Becky Kalin » Candid, professional dog and pet photography in Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota.

The last week has left me holding my own tongue regarding news of multiple loved ones in my life. I’m so excited for each of them, but, at least where the internets are concerned, I’m forced to hide it. (Yes, I can hear you groaning through the computer after reading that sly tribute to the Pointer Sisters.)

And while I’m being super cheesy, I thought I’d use that tie-in as an excuse to show off my favorite tongue ever…Phaneuf’s! Those of you who’ve had the pleasure of meeting Phaneuf are also probably familiar with the profuse apologies that Ryan and I often doll out for the behavior of her tongue. The phrase, “she’s a licker” is almost as common as the comment, “Wow! I thought that was a bear!” Her tongue, which is big, and often full of more slobber than the average dog-loving human is used to dealing with has it’s own separate brain…we’re sure of it. It greets people at the door, “thumps” like a leg when you hit just the right spot during a belly rub, and has been known to leap tall counters with a single bound (especially where anything buttered is concerned). All while the rest of Phaneuf looks at you with a glance that says, “I’m sorry, I can’t make it stop.”

It is in it’s quietest moments that it really gets me though. That little, itty-bitty bit of lolling tongue that sticks out when Phaneuf is at her most relaxed. It reminds me of her gentle soul, and never fails to bring back memories of the night we brought her home. Just a wee-little 23 lb black furball of a newfie pup with a tiny pink tongue passed out cold on the kitchen floor…a moment my heart will hold onto forever.