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couple of weeks ago, Wendy Aitllbley went to the local umane society with her mother, who was looking for a canine compare Ion. day But the visit left a lasting impression on Stuhley -- and motivated her to help the pets that are waiting there for a loving family to take them home. _ The local photographer has arranged to put her skills to good use by taking pictures of cats and dogs that will run in the Chronicle on a biweekly basis, beginning April 2. "I thihk it'sioing to be a fun col- umn. I think it's going to work out real- ly well," Stubley said. _ "There were so many dogs there. I just wanted to adopt them all, but of course you can only have so many dogs in your life," she said. :1 wénted to do something to help out and this seemed like a good thing because I have this skill." The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society, meanwhile, was thrilled with Stubley's proppsal. _ . "Anyway that we can get the ani- mals out there and seen by the public is just a bonus for us," said Kathy Inno- cente, _the organization's manger of fundraising and community relations. "At any" shelter, you're giving an orphaned animal another chance at life," she said. "These animals have been dis- placed for whatever reason, so (adop- tion) is lust a good thjng_to do." - - Smbley, who has had cats and dogs for most of her life, got her first camera 25 years ago, when she took up pho- tography as a hobby. That att changed a couple of years ago when the former technical writer decided she wanted to do something that's more artistic. "Ihre always really liked photogra- phy, so that seemed like a logical choice," said the Waterloo resident who lives with her husband, two kids and dog, Kira. Her company -- Wendy Stubley Photography -- primarily focuses on portraits of people and animals, which both involve some challenges. Local photographer donates time to help humane society They didn't find a dog for her that With pets, Stubley strives to get MEMORY FOAM BED TOPPERS BY IENNIFEII thtMsroN Chrorticjeftahr 7 ----h_- p- We Custom Cut Foam '" For Everything', ..._JUST ASK! Photographer Wendy Stubley tyitl.takts photos of et? apd dog? - like this pne of them in a pose that's flattering and allows their personality to shine through-, _ "You have to get to know the animal a little bit before you photograph," she said, adding she'll be doing that with the pets at the humane society. he}; tliirck"iagrador, Kira - af the local humane society to run% the Chronicle. MY STUMY M070 Her aim is to make the photos as attractive as possible so people are encouraged to come and see the ani- mals. This kind of initiative does make a difference for the dogs, cats, bunnies. hamsters, gerbils and occasional birds at the humane society, Innocente said. "These pictures get it out into the public and sometimes people take a look and they just make a connection." And it's thit connection that brings possible pet owners through the? des.. . "It's jdst an ag-around-good thing," she said, adding the photos sometimes spark memqries of a childhood pft. The number of available pets fluctu- ates. and often hits its peak of about an dogs and 50-60 cats in the spring and summer when household pets are out- side more often. For Stubley, it's a good feeling to LIFESTYLE contribute to the humane society and to help animals tind homes. A _ "And it's really nice for the people too because it's such an enriching experience to have an animal in your home _.. as long as it's a suitable ani- mal foryour home," she said. For instance, the organization is encouraging people to give chocolate bunnies, not live rabbits, as gifts this Easter. That's something that's important to the humane society, where staff explain the commitment pet owner- ship requires to potential pet parents. "That real rabbit is going to be a responsibility for you, and that's a seven- to Io-year commitment with a bunny," said Innocente, who's expect- ing to see an influx of them at the shel- ter after the holiday. "And it is a big' decision to bring a pet into your home? - _ - Thosis interested in adopting a pet are encouraged to visit the humane society at 250 Riverbend Dr., in Kitch- enen For more information, call 519-745- 5615 or go to www.kwhumane.com. Fodiif Store ' Itfr, _ gtigi v i " L', - tr.. y ‘ x. - 'I , l. Pa' "d . r. IP..,] . Cf k Mi . " > FOAM nAnmur: MEMORY FOAM " all your camping and RV needs iilutNICl The -eugiqroiWaND nouns for all marine A food for thought lecture will be held on March 5 at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. The event Gill run from [1:45 a.m. to l p.m. in the Seagram Room. Dr. Gregory Chin, a CiGl senior fellow, will dis- cuss motivating China's foreign aid. Robot enthusiasts from high schools across Ontario will compete this week in the first round of an international robotics competition at the Uni- versity ofWaterloo. The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition challenges teams of high-school students and their mentors from around the world to build robots to qualify for a final event to be held this April in the United States. This year, teams are building robots to play a game where the objective is to score points by manoeuvring 40-inch IO-pound balls around a race track as many times as possible. Teams score bonus points for being able to hurdle the ball over an over- head bar and recover it. The Waterloo regional competition, open to the public, will be held March 20-22 in UW's physical activities complex. Admission is hee. Edumtion is a lifelong pursuit in this age of rapid- ly expanding knowledge and specialization. Over the past few years, Conestoga College has significantly increased the number and scope of its postgraduate programs, which provide special and advanced skills learning opportunities for individu- als with a college diploma or university degree. In order to spread the word about these pro- grams, Conestoga is holding an information fair and open house at its Waterloo campus, located at 108 University Ave. E., on March 26 from 5 pm. to 7 p.m. Admis'sion and parking are free. and light refiesh- ments will be available. Visitors will be able to meet academic program co-ordinators from a number of areas, such as infor, mation technology, business, engineering technolo- gy, health sciences, community services and media studies. Postgraduate education is a growing part of Cort- estoga's increasingly diverse range of learning opportunities. . Robotics competition at University of Waterloo College fair focuses on postgraduate programs 360 Trillium Dr. Kitchener 51 9348.1 491 - HOURS: Mon. Jun " Fri. 04 ERGONOM'C SEAT PADS & BOLSTERS FACTORY OUTLET WATERLOO CHRONICLE . Wednesday. March IS. 200t' . " Food for thought Memm‘rcmi PILLOWS