Our pets hold a special place in our hearts. We love to brag about them. We take time to cuddle with them. We set up play dates for them. They are excited to see us no matter what kind of day we've had. Sometimes they're our stress relievers.
My oldest son has a Siberian Husky, Kai, who is a very loved champion fur shedder. Our house can be swept and within five minutes needs to be swept again. Can you relate?
Recently I was able to photograph 17 dogs in one day! My fellow Leadership Longview class mate and friend, Casie Buck, runs a nonprofit: Silver Paws. It's a group of wonderful people who have gone through certification where they trained their dogs to be loved on. They visit nursing homes, hospitals, daycare centers, preschools, first responder locations, etc. These dogs are specifically trained to help people.
One of their fundraisers is selling trading cards of the dogs. You'll have the opportunity to help fund them by purchasing your own cards soon! They also have a store where you can find tee shirts, treats, and other wonderful goodies for your dog. The Silver Paws Shop is a partnership with Heartisan's Marketplace. The shop has just recently opened its doors. Please click on the links to see what they offer.
Sometimes just running your fingers through the fur of a dog can calm you. Imagine an elderly person who hasn't been in the happiest spirits seeing a friendly dog walk up to them. I would guess that person would like to interact with the dog and probably tell it how they're feeling or just rest their head against their fur. Those are sweet moments in the day of a Silver Paws handler.
Maybe you are a first responder who has benefited from having Silver Paws dogs come to your facility. They brought a smile to your face, no doubt; watching their tails wag as they let you pet them. Maybe your child has come home from school telling you about their day and that they got to hear a story while they sat beside a dog. Of course, during this pandemic, they are doing school visits virtually.
The volunteers who take the Silver Paws dogs to their designated visits are some of the nicest people. What tickled me most about meeting the handlers was the variety of ages they are. Most of them are retired, but full of life, while some are younger and just love to share their beloved pet with others. It was a treat for me to meet all of them.
You may have noticed that all of these portraits were shot in my studio. I had such a great time working with these dogs that I've decided to add a new genre to my list of photography sessions. If you have a dog that you love more than children (I'm kidding.) (Kind of. lol) then you will want to learn more about this new opportunity I've just started offering here. No, it isn't the first time I've photographed dogs, it's the first time I've promoted it though. Here's your chance to get heirloom quality images taken of your best friend(s). Click here to get more details about your pet photography session possibilities.
0 Comments