MEET Cali, the “CityNews” coverdog owned by David and Vicki Berger, of Kingston Foreshore, and one of the 76 cute canine stars of a recent book, “Tails of Canberra”.

Pet photographer Ina Jalil, of Jerrabomberra, got the inspiration for the lavish, large-format, coffee-table book dedicated to Canberra dogs in 2019.

“I was listening to a podcast about photography and there was this pet photographer in Melbourne named Caitlin J McColl who started the Tails of the World Collective,” says Ina.

“It’s an international group of professional pet photographers, all celebrating their local dogs and fundraising for animal rescue.

“Caitlin started it with ‘Tails of Melbourne’, and now there’s a ‘Tails of Brisbane’, Adelaide, Sydney, Tasmania and Perth, but there wasn’t a ‘Tails of Canberra’.

“You have to apply to claim a ‘Tails of the World’ book, so I did, but I’d only just started my pet photography and so my photos weren’t up to the right standard.”

Ina spent 2020 perfecting her skills with help from her three Havanese dogs, James, Pippa and Rosie. Her application for “Tails of Canberra” was successful in early 2021 and she set to work recruiting and photographing the dogs all pictured in different iconic and picturesque settings around the city.

“Tails of Canberra”, which costs $120 each, features Cali as one of 76 dogs in front of Canberra’s most iconic backdrops. Owners made a contribution to having their dog included in the book and Ina has been able to pass on almost $2400 to ACT Rescue and Foster (ARF).

Once she recovers the cost of producing and printing the book, 10 per cent of any subsequent profits will be added to her donations to ARF.

“ARF does a lot of rescues in Canberra and a lot of the people doing it are working on a voluntary basis, so I think it’s a great cause and it feels good to provide them with those fees to help,” she says.

“Cali was really good to photograph. I love the shot of her at the National Museum especially,” she says.

Cali, a schnauzer, came into the lives of David and Vicki as a result of their Queensland home being broken into.

“The first thing Vicki said to me was: ‘If we had a dog it would have barked’, so to appease her we got Cali” says David.

Nearly 12 years later, David is devoted to Cali.

When they moved to Canberra two years ago, David and Cali drove around taking photos of some of Canberra’s landmarks to get to know their new home.

“I’d throw Cali in the car and go to a different spot and I’d get her to pose,” he says. “I’d get a treat out of my pocket and make her sit, and she wasn’t allowed to move until I gave her the word. She got quite good at just sitting still and waiting for her photo to be taken.”

Cali has since become one of the most popular pups in Kingston and with its move into the book, the dog’s fame has just reached a new height.

“Vicki saw on social media that someone was making a dog book, and they were inviting people who were interested to get in touch with her,” says David.

So they did, much to Ina’s delight because she’d worried she wouldn’t get enough dogs to pose. 

“I love dogs, my own and others. I love to see their differences and play with them,” says Ina. “Some dogs are quite challenging to photograph, most won’t sit still for very long, so I quickly learned I just need patience.

“My favourite Canberra backdrop is the Yarralumla English Gardens, it’s just beautiful. Lake Burley Griffin is another great location because you get to see Telstra Tower, and then on the other side is the Carillon.

“I always photograph at sunset because you get the beautiful pastel sky, which is just my favourite thing, along with taking action shots. It’s when the dog’s personality comes out the most.”

Ina is now participating in “Tails of the World, Volume 2”.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with photographers from around the world, and the money I raise will go to Canberra Pet Rescue,” she says.

“I’ve got a few ideas up my sleeve.”

Order a copy, or sign up to be notified on application openings for Volume 2, via inajphotography.com