Welcome Earline, and good question. At present I have the same dilemma. I have a good "standard height" table but without an assistant, would be too risky leaving a dog un-watched for a moment while concentrating on the camera. Considering lowering the legs by two-thirds, (then lowering the tripod).

I'll be interested in replies: and also on cameras/lenses. What are you using in the studio? I've just bought a Nikon 85mm 1.8 for pet portraits.