Where rescue stories meet ancient roots—and a fire truck cameo.

Red, Blue, and Alfie—three rescue dogs—pose together in a shaft of golden light among the mossy trees of Anagach Woods in Scotland, their bond beautifully captured during our Woofventures retreat session with fellow Scottish pet photographer Stephanie Summers (@bluehound_photography).

(L-R) Red, Blue & Alfie

Anagach Woods: Ancient Trees & Fire Trucks

Nestled near Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands, Anagach Woods is known for its winding trails, towering Scots pines, and rich biodiversity. Dating back to the 18th century, the woods were originally planted by General Wade and now offer miles of tranquil paths and mossy roots just begging to be explored.

But tranquility took a brief pause during this session when a fire truck appeared—edging down a forest road toward a reported blaze. Fires in Scotland aren’t just a risk to trees and hikers. In certain parts of the Highlands, peat lies beneath the ground, and once ignited, it can smolder invisibly for days, even weeks, and pop up in places you'd least expect and far from the original blaze. It's not just dangerous—it’s nearly impossible to extinguish.

Luckily, this one was a false alarm. But it was a dramatic reminder that even in a place as peaceful as Anagach, nature demands respect.

The Trio In Front of the Lens

Stephanie’s three dogs are as different as they come:

Blue – “He can go anywhere and is very extroverted… he has been by my side through some fun adventures,” Stephanie says. Blue is also known for his big smiles—especially if there’s a treat in the mix—and his habit of wanting whatever toy Alfie has.
Little Red – The red brindle lurcher who “just wants to be on his sofa or playing ball.” His other great love? “Sleeping upside down under a blanket on the couch.”
Alfie – A rescued Romanian street dog who reminded Stephanie of her previous dog. “I couldn’t resist,” she recalls. Though more introverted, he shines in front of the camera and has been a joy to train in agility. His guilty pleasure? Destroying vegetable-shaped toys.

“They’re three very big, very different personalities,” Stephanie says. “But they’re family.”

Alfie

Lurchers: Legends of the Lowlands and Beyond

Lurchers have long held a quiet place of honor across Scotland and the wider UK. A blend of sighthound—like Greyhound or Whippet—and a working breed (often Collie or Terrier), these dogs are fast, clever, and incredibly loyal. Once known as the dogs of the people, lurchers were bred for hunting and companionship alike—and today, they’ve become beloved for their gentle nature and striking looks.

Blue, with his soft gray coat and soulful gaze, was a dream to photograph. Red, his red brindle companion, looked more like a classic Greyhound in build and movement—graceful, powerful, and always aware of his surroundings. Oddly, we didn’t end up with any solo images of Red from this session—maybe it was the firetruck distraction? Or maybe he just knew his role was to be part of the pack. Either way, the group portraits capture exactly what we were after: a trio bound by instinct, trust, and connection.