Lot's of facial hair though, ;-)
Allow me to make 2 suggestions, although I understand the difficulties in pet photography. Getting down to the level of the animal usually helps to improve a 'connection', also in the photograph. Then trying to get the animal to look in the direction of lens also helps for a portrait, unless the subject has a long snout (which may require a longer lens and/or a different angle).
Bart! You stole the words from my head! Your post appeared first so credit to you! People make the mistake of shooting down on pets and it diminishes them.
James,
Another point is the strength of the pillow is perhaps distracting and I'd like to see a wider aperture to limit focus to the dog or else I'd not open that much but blur the b.g. a little and vignette the illunination in PS.
Anyway, photography work is work, after all, and even Ansel Adams spent hours even weeks or months perfecting one picture!
So extra time in setting this up is a challenge of course but ultimately it will pay off!
This, as you point out is a great start. Double the pay to your model!
Asher