Animals have enriched my life from my first memories as a child to the present. I do not remember a time in my life when a pet was not a much loved member of my family. I cannot imagine my life without animals – it would be a much less fulfilling world to live in
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Sadly, many animals will never know the love of a family. Many are are abandoned on the streets like Maya, a little mixed breed dog whom we adopted years ago from a local shelter, after she was found wandering the streets. She only lived with us for five months before a severe and unrepairable heart defect took her life, but I will always be grateful for the opportunity we had to give her the love she deserved during those few months.
Some are abused like Odin, a pit/boxer mix we adopted from another shelter. Odin was a senior and had most likely been abused by his neglectful owner for years before he was removed by the warden. But all those years of abuse could not extinguish his love for humans. I have never had a dog so gentle, and adoring as Odin. If an animal can be grateful (and I believe they can be), Odin was the most grateful dog ever, and I’m so happy that we were able to make his life worth living during the three years we had him before he passed away.
And many others are left behind at shelters for a variety of other (often senseless) reasons, like a beautiful pit/lab mix we fostered for several months, Louise. Louise was too “hyper” for her family, though at the time we fostered her we had three small children and she was wonderful and gentle with each of them. We were all sad, as well as thrilled, when she found her family.
As you can see, my life has been touched by rescued dogs in a variety of ways. I am unable to foster dogs at this time in my life, but I can give back through my photography. Animals who are waiting in shelters and rescues have a greater chance of being adopted if potential families see professional photographs of them. I am also available to photograph local pet adoption and fundraising events.
Please contact me if you are a shelter or rescue group who is interested in professional photographs of your available pets or adoption events :).
I am honored to be a member of HeARTs Speak.
