Just 54 photos of dogs getting treats
Christian Vieler-Kircher of Waltrop, Germany, has an enviable job: He's a photographer, and his specialty is very happy dogs.
He has released a book called "Treat!," featuring all kinds of dogs, all facing his lens, and all just microseconds away from receiving a delicious, mid-air snack. Sometimes the snack is in frame. Sometimes the snack is in muzzle. But every time, the dog is delighted.
The results are a delightful, joy-filled distraction from the everyday stresses of life in 2021. A second installment of Vieler-Kircher's cataloguing of Very Good Dogs — entitled "Treat Too" — is also on the way.
Incoming!
The pictures seen here were all taken during professional photo shoots for dog owners.
"Often, with a little bit of dog experience, it is easy to work with my models," Vieler-Kircher tells CBS News.
The inspiration...
"I have Labrador, Lotte, to thank for the picture idea with the treats," the photographer tells CBS News. "I wanted to try out a new flash in my apartment and put Lotte in front of the camera to test how I can capture movement sharply with the flash.
"For that, Lotte would have had to move. But she did not, because she is a very chilly Labrador. So I started to throw treats to get Lotte moving. How funny the results were, I didn't really realize until days later while cleaning up the hard disk."
Pictured here is Finlay, who, in our humble opinion, is just as inspiring as Lotte.
You're welcome
Vieler-Kircher has been photographing dogs in this way for years.
"In 2015, I quit my job as a journalist and social media editor to become a professional dog photographer," he told CBS News.
A very talented tongue
Who needs teeth when you've got a treat-catching tongue?
Four sources of inspiration
This viszla dog has some impressive pearly whites.
"Me and my wife have four dogs together," the photographer says, "Dobermann Ann, Dackel [dachshund] Alfred, Tamml (mixed breed), and Labrador Lotte."
Now that's a smile
Along with his book, and his fun Instagram account, Vieler-Kircher offers fun face masks for sale on his German-language website.
To whoever owns this dog...
You are a lucky soul.
Open wide!
"I do not use any special treats," the photographer says, "but simply the ones the dog likes. For more demanding candidates I also sometimes reach for cheese or wiener sausage."
Scampi's dinner
This is Scampi. Scampi is having a very good day.
No fighting!
In this case, who wins?
Don't fear the treat!
Maybe he simply fears missing out?
Uh-oh
This... may not end well.
Do not...
... get between this dog and a treat. Do not.
What a face!
We have a feeling that this dog is very expressive, even when there is no treat in sight.
Rising star
Vieler-Kircher is in rising demand; his work often involves travel these days. And we can see why.
Lord have Murphy
Murphy is clearly a star.
Wind in their hair...
... treat in their mouths. Or, at least, for one of them.
An embarrassment of riches
This is almost unfair.
Wolfing it down
This dog has clearly had some practice.
Tiny fangs, big personality
Now this dog has style.
We have a thought about this dog
And that is this: This dog deserves many more treats.
Another treat...
...stat!
Studio star
For these photos, all the dogs come to Vieler-Kircher.
"Without exception, my funny dog pictures are made in the studio," the photographer says. "You have to use a flash."
Hello, Chuck
All we know is that this dog is named Chuck. But really, what else needs to be said?
Chaka!
That is this dog's name.
Hey there Delilah
With a face like this, Delilah is likely to get many, many more treats, even outside a studio.
Yuma!
Yuma has quite a stare.
This dog is serious
With a mouth this wide, this dog can handle many treats at once... we suspect.
Scratch that
Now THIS dog has a maw.
Oh, nothing much...
... just grabbing this here treat.
You've got a little something...
... right... eh, never mind.
Ghost treat?
We suspect the treat is just out of frame... or already in a mouth.
Forget dignity
Just. Get. The. Treat.
Did you get the same memo?
Makes you wonder.
He's all ears...
... as long as there's a treat.
One of the original four
This is Anni, one of Vieler-Kircher's four dogs. As you can see, this dog does not need a treat to serve excellent looks.
That dingo's got your treat
Unless that's actually an Australian shepherd.
We'll just say this...
SOMEONE is very happy to be getting a treat.
Are you there?
Who is this lurking in the depths, waiting to eat your treats?
Somebody loves you...
... a LOT.
Why the long faces?
There are treats in the offing!
Flying treat!
Happy dog!
What??!
Did someone say treat?
Wait a second
That's not a treat. But it's still an awesome shot.
Old dog...
... new treat.
We don't know what kind of treat that is...
... but it sure looks good.
He's got the chops...
... and the treat.
Impressive jaw acrobatics
Congrats!
The nose knows...
That a treat is incoming!
Are you surprised?
They're called dog treats for a reason!
Effortless
This dog makes it look easy.
Uh-oh
Is this a miss or a win?
Wee dog...
Big appetite!