Wort & Flea

12/05/2026

Breed of the Month - Cavoodle!

Each month, I’ll be selecting one breed and gifting three Farm or Studio Experiences to paw-rents of that breed. It’s my way of celebrating the incredible variety of dogs we share our lives with, and creating something meaningful within this beautiful community.

Did you know there are over 360 recognised dog breeds worldwide, with 224 recognised breeds in NZ? Every single one with their own quirks, personalities and loyal hearts, and we’re going to celebrate them, one month at a time.

This month, we’re celebrating the Cavoodle.

Playful, affectionate, clever and full of personality, Cavoodles have become such a loved breed in so many Kiwi homes. Whether they’re tearing around with zoomies, curled up beside their humans, or charming absolutely everyone they meet, they have a way of making themselves the centre of attention.

If you have a Cavoodle (or Cavoodle mix), or know someone who does, I would love you to head to the link below and enter, or share this with them.

Three Cavoodle paw-rents will be chosen to receive a complimentary Farm or Studio Experience, and I cannot wait to celebrate this beautiful breed.

And if the Cavoodle isn’t your breed, don’t worry, you can register on the website which breed you’d love to see featured, or drop it in the comments below — I’d love to know!

You can find all the details and how to enter here: https://wortandflea.co.nz/botm-cavoodle/

This competition is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, Meta Group.

11/05/2026

Anyone have a love/hate relationship with technology? Love when it’s working, hate when it’s not?

The beginning of March, just as I was launching my first ever Breed of the Month (BOTM) promo. I noticed my website running much slower than usual. After approaching IT support, I found out my website had been attacked by AI bots.

A growing trend that’s escalated the past year with all the AI tech now being developed. AI bots trawl websites for data and images so it can learn. My website had some protection, just not enough to cope with 170,000 AI bots trying to access it 24/7. That was in February alone!

With bots visiting my website at that rate, it slowed access almost to a halt for anyone else. So, to anyone who's tried to access my website and found it super slow or unable to access at all. This is why.

A fix was applied, which unknowingly at the time, broke my business email and stopped it working entirely, my IT support then became unavailable due unexpected circumstances. So, desperate to get things working again and with the "help" of ChatGPT, I lost my entire business mailbox for the last 2.5 years.

My host provider didn't have a full back up, which took several weeks to establish, nor did I, and I was not able to access email on desktop whilst investigated. I’ve been able to recover the majority of what I lost, through third party software. But months later, I’m still trying to sort things out.

I'm sure my hair has gotten a bit greyer, as there has been many a sleepless night.

Lesson learned on my part. The very hard way.

Hence the delay with the next BOTM, no point if no one could access. The website is much better under control with added protections, and hopefully a bit speedier.

So, here’s Kylo, one of the winners of my first ever BOTM for that indomitable little breed, the Chihuahua!

Check out the air action, he's flying! Kylo was an absolute superstar, enabling me to capture incredible memories for his dad, I can't wait to share more images from this session with you all.

The next Breed of the Month will be up tomorrow, so check back if you want to see which breed it will be!

07/03/2026

03/03/2026

Wort & Flea Pet Photography Special Offer and Major Prize Giveaway at Franklin Home & Lifestyle Show 2026.

Farm Experience Gift Certificate - Only $49 this weekend only!!
Valued at $645 🐾📸

Gift Certificate Includes:
• Pre-experience consultation call
• Up to three pets from the same household
• Up to 120 minute experience
• Destination location at the Farm or Studio in Pokeno
• Studio image reveal & purchase appointment
• $200 artwork credit towards your purchase
• Bonus 11×14″ matted print with any image or artwork purchase
• Value up to $645!

PLUS: Every purchase goes in the draw to win a 16×24” Wall Art piece worth $995!

Come & chat to Kirsten this weekend & book in a photo session for your pet.
😊

28/02/2026

Today I’m launching something really exciting - Breed of the Month!

Each month, I’ll be selecting one breed and gifting three Farm or Studio Experiences to paw-rents of that breed. It’s my way of celebrating the incredible variety of dogs we share our lives with, and creating something meaningful within this beautiful community.

Did you know there are over 360 recognised dog breeds worldwide, with 224 recognised breeds in NZ? Every single one with their own quirks, personalities and loyal hearts and we’re going to celebrate them, one month at a time.

I couldn’t think of a more fitting breed to start with than the Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas hold such a special place in my heart. My first dog, my heart dog, Shelby, was a Chihuahua. Shelby was small in size but absolutely mighty in personality, and she was my muse and love of my life. So much of what I do today, and the way I see dogs through my lens, started with her.

So, this first month is in honour of Shelby.

If you have a Chihuahua (or Chihuahua mix), or know someone who does, I would love you to head to the link below and enter, or, share this with them.

Three Chihuahua paw-rents will be chosen to receive a complimentary Farm or Studio Experience, and I cannot wait to celebrate this bold, loyal, big-hearted little breed.

And if the Chihuahua isn’t your breed, don’t worry.

Next month will be a different breed, and we’ll continue from there. You can register on the website which breed you’d love to see featured, or drop it in the comments below — I’d love to know!

You can find all the details and enter here:
https://wortandflea.co.nz/botm-chihuahua/

And please drop a photo below of your beloved Chihuahua as well!

This competition is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, Meta Group.

26/02/2026

I’ll be at the Franklin Home & Lifestyle Show on the 7th–8th March and I would absolutely love to see some familiar faces there!

I’ll be there showcasing my pet photography, chatting all things Farm and Studio Experiences, and I’ll have a special show offer available exclusively for those who pop by my stand.

I also have FREE double passes to give away. If you’d love to come along, just comment below or send me a DM and I’ll send them to you.

Alongside my photography, I’ll be bringing my beautiful 100% NZ wool cat caves and toys.

Plus, I'll be introducing a brand new line of 100% NZ wool dog beds in two sizes to suit small, medium and some large breed dogs.

I’ll be taking pre-orders at the show, including custom colours, so if you’ve been thinking about something special for your fur family, this is the perfect opportunity to see them in person and choose exactly what suits your home.

It’s always such a lovely weekend connecting with local families and fellow pet lovers. If you’re heading along, make sure you come and say hello.

26/02/2026

I met Taika, Brew and Tanji in January 2026 for their Studio Experience. Taika, 5 yrs old, Brew, 3 yrs old, and Tanji, 6 mths old — three beautiful Bernese Mountain Dogs with the gentlest, easy-going natures.

It was all hands-on deck in the studio, with mum, dad, auntie and grandparents all helping with the dogs. We started off with individual images of each pup, then group photos, then family photos. And yes, I did fit three Bernese Mountain Dogs and five adult humans, plus me, in my little studio all at once!

Taika was first up and an absolute supermodel, confident, steady, and excellent at catching treats mid-air, which made getting his portraits so easy, he just knew exactly what was required of him and was happy to oblige! Although it’s fair to say Taika isn’t entirely convinced about puppy Tanji just yet and when asked to sit next to him, his expression said it all!

Brew just kept rolling happily onto her back for belly rubs, so took a little more convincing to get her supermodel game on. Treat catching definitely isn’t her thing, but with a little encouragement from mum and dad, she did so well and we got some gorgeous images of her. Brew is a sweetheart and has such a loving nature.

Last but not least was Tanji, at just 6 months old, this sweet boy only had eyes for mum and dad. Tanji is still very much in his puppy era and didn't understand what all the fuss was about and why on earth he should sit still. Tanji was far more interested in where his people were, than in posing for the camera, treats certainly helped as did his favourite toy!

Each of them had portraits taken with their favourite toys as well, which added such a personal touch to their session.

The whole family are such beautiful people, and it was so much fun spending time with them all. I’m so excited to welcome mum, dad, auntie and all three pups back in March for their outdoor Farm Experience.

Swipe through to see Taika's treat catching, Brew chilling and Tanji getting some love!

23/02/2026

I met Neo and Dougie in January 2026 for their Farm Experience. Neo, 6 yrs, a Miniature Schnauzer x Bichon, and Dougie, 1 yr, a Miniature Schnauzer x Staffy x Labrador — two scruffy boys with very different personalities and a whole lot of heart.

These two were so much fun and it was such a pleasure to watch them on their Farm adventure. Neo has that thoughtful, clever energy, capable and talented, but very much on his own terms and you can tell he knows exactly what’s going on! Whilst Dougie is full of enthusiasm, friendliness and that happy-go-lucky nature that makes you smile instantly.

Rebecca said, "Neo was a "housewarming" present to ourselves, after we purchased our first home. He unintentionally became a covid puppy because not long after we got him, we hit lock downs! This means he sometimes has a bit of social anxiety like his mother. 🙃 I then started training Neo in agility a couple years ago and while he's come a long way he often decides when he's had enough (halfway through a competition normally!).

Cue Dougie! I wanted a puppy to train up from scratch for agility and when Dougie popped up on the Auckland Puppy Rescue page I couldn't say no to his scruffy face. I initially thought he was a Bearded Collie x which aligned with what I wanted as working breeds are great for agility. He wasn't getting particularly large though, so I did a DNA test on him and low and behold turns out he was also a Miniature Schnauzer x like Neo!! But with some larger breeds in there as well like Staffy and Labrador. He's grown into a lovable scruffy mid-sized boy who befriends everyone he meets, and I can't wait to compete him when he's 18months old!"

It was so special to capture memories for their family, two boys connected not just by their breed mix, but by timing, resilience, and a shared love of agility and adventure – perfectly matched!

Enjoy these images of Neo running in the grass and Dougie posing on the log.

02/02/2026

2025 SECOND PLACE PET OF THE YEAR GOES TO...ONYX!!!

Congratulations to Onyx’s lovely paw-rents who have won either a $500 gift certificate to purchase additional artwork from their 2025 Studio Experience, or to use towards new artwork from a new Farm or Studio Experience in 2026!

Onyx is absolutely adored by his paw-rents and I can't wait to see what they decide!

This was a super close competition with just over a handful of votes separating 1st and 2nd place winners.

Thank you to all the other contenders for 2025 Pet of the Year, and everyone who voted, for making this such a fun and heartfelt competition, you have all well and truly blown my mind!

To all the voters who were interested in a gift certificate for your own Farm or Studio Experience, please check your email inbox now (or junk/spam folder!), as remember I have some $645 gift certificates to give away!

Thank you again for all being so amazing!