Aug 22, 2023
We had picked the day and time and it was EARLY! Time was of the essence as Mum had let me know that Starling, her black labrador, was not feeling well and she really wanted to capture her first pup in the early morning light.
When we arrived at the location, my heart sank a little. The sky was ‘socked in’ and it was just a blanket of grey, featureless clouds.
There is no way we’re getting a visible sunrise, I thought.
Add to that, the location was over the water because I wanted an unobstructed view of the sky which meant it was windy. And cold.
But it was too late to postpone now – the two dogs and one cat (!) were already on the long drive from home to meet me.
And so I waited, hoping that the sky might clear.
By the time they arrived, the sky was still awful. We had only a few precious minutes to try and get the pets to settle and simply hope for the best when it came to the sky.
By the time we got our first dog in place, the ‘official’ sunrise time had passed. Nothing but grey, mournful sky.
However, above the horizon, I noticed a sliver of clear sky and I thought: What happens when the sun gets there?
Well, we found out.
For less than 2.5 minutes tops, the sky lit up with the most incredible orange-red hues!
We quickly got to work as we needed all three furry siblings in place to create our portraits. As quickly as the colour appeared, it disappeared when the sun went firmly behind the wall of clouds and we were once again enveloped in the grey, windy landscape.
But it was enough. Enough for this. Meet Duke, Starling and Kitt silhouetted against the incredible morning sky.
Professional photographer tip: A portrait like this involving multiple subjects takes some forethought and planning to execute well. This is an outcrop over the water and we simply cannot risk anyone slipping or falling. Thus, the humans are very close by and all of the pets are on leash at the time. The editing and retouching process ensures that the final portraits are perfect.
Photographing Your (Pet) Family
Whenever you have a family involving dogs and cats, the question always arises as to whether we can get a portrait of everyone together. To which I say: we are going to do everything possible to set ourselves up for success.
Much of our approach will depend on the relationships with each other and the temperaments of the furry siblings. In this case, believe it or not, Kitt (the gorgeous cat you see) was the most ‘stable’. (Stable is the word I use to describe the subject most likely to get into and hold a position.) Kitt also loves his canine brother and sister which is a great plus.
The result is that this final portrait was taking in one frame – no compositing!
Of course, individual portraits are important too. Here’s Kitt with his gorgeous colouring which matches the early winter tones of the forest.
Duke is the youngest and the most wiggly. But a head tilt and he got his portrait to match his feline brother.
But this session was really for Starling, Mum’s baby. Starling had just recently been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing some treatments. Not knowing how much time they had left together, it was vital we had gorgeous photos of her.
Celebrating the relationship
Given Starling’s diagnosis, we spent extra time and effort of photographing Starling and her Mum together. First in the early sky.
And together again later in the session. These unscripted moments are among the most precious. You can feel the love.
Of course, we had to get a family portrait of everyone together!
Porfessional photographer tip: No one has to be in photographs during a session with me. But I always encourage someone to come dressed as if they might. It just gives you options during our time together.
Lastly, we ended up on the beach where again, we took a solo portrait of Starling.
As well as Starling with her brother, Duke.
(Note: After I wrote this post and scheduled its publication, I found out from Mum that Starling had said her final goodbye.)
Starling, you have left a huge hole in your family’s lives. Your sweet spirit will be remembered by all who you touched. Run free, my brave girl.
And to Duke and Kitt, thank you for working with me during our session to celebrate Starling. It was like you knew that this was important for you were the most cooperative trio I have ever met. Thank you for giving me the honour. ♥
Looking to create meaningful portraits of your dog or cat during a Heritage Session? This is a special session to ‘celebrate the life, love and legacy of your pet.’™
POSH PETS® HERITAGE SESSIONS
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
- High-priority sessions are reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice and work within their restrictions.
- An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time together, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
- Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
- More information can be found here.
Jul 8, 2023
Sometimes the first frame takes your breath away.
Tres family contacted me to photograph him in his backyard. A senior pup with mobility issues, he was no longer able to go far from his family home.
So I arrived and began to look for a location in the backyard. We waited patiently while Tres made a very long, slow trek (for him) out of the house and into the backyard.
When he finally got there with Dad’s help, I asked my assistant to hold the light while I did a light test. And I shot the one frame you see below.
So technically, this wasn’t a photograph I planned. But it was the most beautiful tribute to the relationship and Tres’ wonderful life.
Things to know about End of Life (Heritage Sessions)
While I will always encourage people to have their pet photographed while he/she is still young and full of life, there is nothing quite like celebrating a wonderful life with a loving family. The resulting portraits often become most treasured and a source of comfort once the final goodbye has been said.
However, ensure that your photographer approaches a session like this with the right mindset. As with every pup or kitty, we need to work with them in a way that puts their comfort and happiness at the forefront. With a senior or unwell pet, the limitations may be many as movement and mobility can be issues. Choosing the right time of day when your pet feels most well and alert is crucial, as is the schedule surrounding any medications. Know that these also tend to be shorter sessions as older pets tire more quickly.
And that is why the pre-session consult is important – we want to prioritize any portraits you would like to get within whatever timeframe we have.
But…with good planning, flexibility and a pure love for your pet, we will get a beautiful portrait, full of meaning.
Want to see what Tres’ mum had to say about their session? –> REVIEWS
Have a senior dog or cat that you would like to have photographed? Need a pet photographer that specializes in end of life sessions? Contact me to discuss your options.
POSH PETS® HERITAGE SESSIONS
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
- High-priority sessions are reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice and work within their restrictions.
- An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time together, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
- Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
- More information can be found here.
Aug 15, 2017
When I first heard from Buddy’s mum it was with a mixture of excitement and sadness. Buddy came all the way from Pennsylvania for what would be his final trip to Canada – a dog bucket list of sorts. He was facing some serious health issues and his mum wanted to enjoy travelling with him one more time.
Niagara-on-the-Lake was chosen as the backdrop for this special occasion.
As you can see above, we took some portraits on what is arguably one of the prettiest streets in the Niagara region.
From there, we moved to enjoy a picnic in the park. Buddy put on his best tie and brought a blanket. They spent some quiet moments together reminiscing about what a great life he had led.
He even brought his best friends to join in the fun!
But a new park is a place to explore and sniff. Even have a little run. But, most of all, times like these are reasons to smile.
Buddy still loved to get his feet wet in the gentle surf, so we spent some time on the little beach.
All too soon it was time to go home. A short while later, I received a note from his mum saying that Buddy was gone. I cried. This beautiful boy who had brought so much joy to his family was no more.
I was even more touched when she ended her note with the following:
“Through all of this my mother and I have said many times we do not know what we would do without your photos. After they were taken, he started to deteriorate rapidly. He looks so wonderful, healthy, and happy in them and that is the way we hope to remember him.
Thank you for everything.”
Run free Buddy. Always.
For more information on Posh Pets Heritage™ Sessions, see below.
POSH PETS® HERITAGE SESSIONS
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
- High-priority sessions are reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice and work within their restrictions.
- An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time together, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
- Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
- More information can be found here.
May 11, 2016
I received the call one afternoon from Hugo’s mom. From the moment she spoke and her voice broke a little, I knew something was wrong. And, when you are a
pet photographer, you almost always know what
it is.
She told me about Hugo, all 165 lbs. of him. He was beautiful and, at 4 years old, in what should be his prime. But, the day before they had received devastating news. Hugo had just been diagnosed with lymphoma. A specialist appointment had been made to determine the course of treatment, so there was nothing more that could be done but wait the couple of days for that appointment. But now, what his mom wanted most of all were portraits. Portraits that should have been taken in the Summer but things had gotten busy and, well, they thought had all the time in the world. Portraits that would ensure that they had beautiful images of Hugo forever.
We quickly rearranged things and set a portrait date for a couple of days later. We were hoping for snow (there was woefully little of that this winter in Toronto!) and a nice day. And that is exactly what we got. The temperature was beautiful – maybe even a little too mild for a Bernese Mountain Dog – and we had snow on the ground! Plus our background was the lovely palette of winter. Hugo’s entire family came out for his photo session (even Grandma), so that they could get family portraits with him. He is one loved dog!
Everyone should have one gorgeous portrait of their pet
Hugo’s mom said that, if she could get nothing else, she wanted ONE gorgeous portrait of Hugo looking happy, majestic and healthy. I knew the second I took it that this was the ONE. It’s now a beautiful, framed print, hanging in the family home.
The family also selected a custom folio box for their family portraits and some smaller portraits of Hugo. (It’s so stunning that you will see that I decided to update the official Posh Pets® Folio images for the website with it.)
Why choose to photograph your pet now?
Simply put, because it is important to capture the life of your pet as they are now. In all their stages – the wiggly new-to-life stage, the goofy teenager, the athletic adult stage, and the sweet senior. And because honestly, we never know what tomorrow brings.
I’m happy to report that Hugo has begun his treatment and is tolerating the chemotherapy well! Last time I saw him, he was perky and quickly greeted me at the door. He’s ravenous too, so he eagerly searched me for treats. Believe me when I tell you, everyone here at Posh Pets® Photography are all wishing very hard (with fingers and paws crossed!) that Hugo makes a full recovery!
If you are looking to book a session for your pet, the place to start is here. (Please see the update, below.)
Update: Hugo passed away in August 2016 after bravely fighting his battle with cancer. His Mom sent me the most beautiful note regarding his session:
“I called Posh Pets® Photography in a panic the day after receiving the devastating news that my 4 year old Bernese Mountain Dog, Hugo, had been diagnosed with lymphoma. I wanted to get professional photographs done before he started chemo. Karen was so understanding, compassionate and accommodating. She made herself available within a couple of days. Hugo was already quite ill but Karen worked her magic and took amazing photos that caught his spirit! Karen was very supportive and a great help in choosing the photos (not easy when there were so many good photos to choose from). The finished products are beautiful and we treasure them everyday, now that our beloved Hugo is gone. Karen is clearly an animal lover and very talented – the perfect combination.”
Sleep well, dear Hugo.
POSH PETS® HERITAGE SESSIONS
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
- High-priority sessions are reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice and work within their restrictions.
- An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time together, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
- Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
- More information can be found here.
Jan 6, 2016
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
There are probably few things worse than knowing you are running out of time, especially when it involves someone that you love dearly. Sadly, we are often caught by surprise when we are told that our pet is seriously ill. In a moment, all that time we thought we had, suddenly disappears, and we realize that we need to preserve the memories of our relationship with that furry family member. Knowing just how important it is to remember and celebrate your relationship is the reason behind the Posh Pets Heritage™ Session.
When I first spoke with Olivia about her Bella, she told me that she was her 11 year old black labrador, that she had had her she had her since she was a puppy. These two had grown up together. She also shared that Bella had only just been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and that the prognosis was not good. Could I create a session that would celebrate their relationship?, she asked. Of course., I assured her.
We made arrangements quickly and Olivia chose the park where she and Bella regularly went for walks. We took our time since Bella did not have the energy she had once had. Although, the sight of a ball still brought a light to her eyes and she chased it once or twice. Treats were, of course, graciously accepted. So, we walked and talked, stopping here and there to photograph Bella in her element with Olivia.
Olivia wanted me to be sure to capture the white muzzle and beautiful eyes of her dear Bella in a portrait. The dried reeds provided a beautiful backdrop against her black coat.
Even though some would consider the weather less than ideal, we were able to capture absolutely gorgeous images!
We then went on to document some sweet portraits of Olivia and Bella together.
We even got in a few kisses! Olivia was Bella’s world (and vice versa), so this was no surprise.
Inky, Bella’s older brother, also came along so he could be photographed along with her. He may only have a few months on Bella, but he practically dwarfs her in size.
I’ve said it before, but I will say it again: I am always amazed at how a dog will rise to the occasion. Despite the fact that the medication and her illness left her fatigued, Bella showed us that she could still chase a ball.
And, she still had the ability provide the loveliest of expressions for a portrait.
We ended the session with a few more images of Bella and Olivia together on a forest path.
The final portrait was of lovely Bella herself. In her park. The way Olivia wanted to remember her.
A week later, I received the e-mail I dread to receive: Bella had said her final good-bye, surrounded by the family she loved. I had already edited Bella’s images and ordered her folio box as well as her wall art, and Olivia was understandably eager to receive them. While they will never replace having Bella at her side, the images from our session will ensure that the memory of Bella stays alive in her heart.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, please do not hesitate to contact me and arrange a Posh Pets Heritage™ Session.
Oct 22, 2015
I love these two gorgeous golden retriever boys! Jake and Mack are an uncle-nephew dog duo who make their home in Toronto. Mack is a 4 year old bundle of excitement who loves his family, loves to get to know you and find out what you are doing, and loves his treats (he’s the slightly more portly of the two). So, when I showed up with treats in hand, needless to say, I was a hit. Jake is the more quiet and serious one. At 7 years of age, he has definitely calmed down, and now, he is facing some serious health issues. Which is why his family called Pets Photography – they wanted some lovely images of their boys while they were still together.
This gorgeous portrait of them on their family’s front porch was lots of fun to create. One of the first things clients will often tell me is that their dog is not reliable must remain on leash. I always assure them that is perfectly fine. It was the same with Jake and Mack. We were quite obviously at the front of their house without any fencing or other barriers to keep them safe. It necessitated using their leashes and those leashes needed to be held by Mom and Dad. In fact, the humans are actually hiding in the alcove to either side of that front door. The magic of post-editing removed any trace of them and the leashes in the final image. Which leaves everyone to stare and admire the amazing smiles on the *obedient* doggies.
There’s something wonderful about a dog’s smile, usually shown by them opening their mouth and letting their tongue come out. But, Mack’s tongue is epic. It certainly suits his goofy, fun-loving personality.
Every Posh Pets‘ session is a relaxed, fun affair and, if the dogs enjoy it, some running around and playing. It is wonderful to have images of your dog’s unbridled enthusiasm for a ball and the feeling of the grass between their paws. Capturing these two boys larking about with each other in their backyard was such a joy for me and them!
There is also plenty of time for quiet, reflective portraits. The kind of artwork that you will want to display proudly on your wall.
We often end a session with an image that is a ‘slice of life’. Here, Jake, after a session of playing, posing, sitting, eating treats and just generally being gorgeous, relaxes in his front hallway on the cool floor. Where he has so many times before.
Jake and Mack, thank you for welcoming me into your lives for those few short hours. It was quite honestly a joy to meet you and photograph you. In my memory, you will always be together, romping around and spreading happiness wherever you go.
Oct 5, 2015
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
As a pet photographer, I get quite a number of requests for sessions with cats. I love our kitty friends – their quiet and calm demeanor, the grace with which they carry themselves and the nuances of their individual personalities. My sessions with them are always a joy.
I met Bart on a quiet summer afternoon in August. Those perfect days when it is not too hot, the sun is shining and no one is running tools to disturb the quiet peace of the neighbourhood. Bart was a 15 1/2 year old black beauty with a kind and gentle nature. He had been adopted by his humans when already full grown (I love it when people fall in love with the adult adoptables!) and had lived a wonderful life with his feline brother, Toby, and his human family.
When his mom first contacted me, she told me worriedly that Bart was a black cat and very difficult to photograph. He was exclusively an indoor cat, so he needed to be photographed inside. Additionally, he had recently been diagnosed with cancer and she really wanted some beautiful images that would highlight his gorgeous eyes and ensure that they had tangible, physical memories to hold onto when the time came to say good-bye.
We spent a couple of hours that afternoon photographing Bart in all of his favourite spots in the home. He was quite happy and was engaged for his photo session. I am always amazed by pets who ‘seem to know’ and therefore muster up the energy to give their families this last gift of photographs. As I was leaving his home, I gave him one quiet cuddle and told him to be a brave boy and let his family know when the time came.
Four weeks later, Bart said his final good-bye at home, surrounded by his loving family.
As I delivered Bart’s final artwork, we talked about what a great life he had, how hard the past couple of weeks had been on everyone, but how right the decision had been to have him photographed professionally. As always, I left the meeting with tears in my eyes.
“Bart, you have left a huge hole in the hearts and lives of those who loved you. I was privileged to have met you and to photograph you. I will remember you with fondness, always.”
POSH PETS HERITAGE™ SESSIONS
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
- High-priority sessions reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice.
- An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time togehter, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
- Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
- Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Heritage™ Sessions can be found here.
Mar 11, 2015
What is a Posh Pets Heritage Session, you ask? Simply put, it a unique session where we take whatever time is needed to celebrate the life of a special dog. No one likes to think about it too much, but the reality is that we will often outlive our pets. And when the time comes to say good-bye, photographs can often be the way to forever capture the memories we hold dear.
Magic was a good dog. He had been diagnosed with cancer and his people knew that their time with him was short. In fact, when we initially spoke, they were not sure if we had enough time to schedule a Session. I assured them that I would make it happen. A couple of days later, on a bright Sunday morning, we set out to create incredible memories.
I’m always amazed at how animals just know. In these situations, when I first arrive, I want to take the time to see how the pet is feeling. We want to work at their pace, taking into account their limitations. And yet, each time, the pet always rises to the occasion, as if they want to give this last gift to their people. Magic was no different. We spent time creating images both inside and outside their home and then a final last walk in his favourite park.
As our Session came to a close, I hugged Magic, kissed him and said my good-bye, knowing we would not meet again. He was gone some 24 hours later, surrounded by the people he loved so much.
Of course, our Ordering Session was an emotional one. We cried. We hugged. But, in the end, Magic’s family chose two gorgeous Folio Boxes filled with memories of their special boy, and lovely pieces of Wall Art.
POSH PETS HERITAGE™ SESSIONS
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
- High-priority sessions reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice.
- An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time togehter, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
- Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
- Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Heritage™ Sessions can be found here.
Sep 5, 2014
“Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog.” – Sydney Jeanne Seward
I loved this dog.
It has taken me a while to write this post. A week to be exact. Seven days. Almost 168 hours since we’ve said good-bye. And I still can’t believe that MacLeod is gone. Because he didn’t live with us – he belonged to my family – it is still easy for me to imagine him snoring loudly in his sleep at my sister’s or parent’s place. At 15 years of age, he did do a lot of sleeping. And snoring.
But, it wasn’t always that way. MacLeod and his sister, Anthea, came to our family when they were both wiggly, little shih tzu puppies, both from the same litter. Like any puppy out there, they were both unbelievably cute. And although I loved Anthea and her love of exploration, it was MacLeod that was my favourite.
MacLeod, aka Mackie, Big Mac, Maxster, Mister Magoo, was a character. He was your everyman’s dog. He had no airs about him, took you at your word and had a ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get’ way about him. He loved people, playing, balls and getting dirty. All the while being gorgeous.
Somehow, over the years, I had become “Auntie Karen” to MacLeod. When he would hear those two words, he would get beside himself with excitement, whining and crying in anticipation. So much so, my family would not tell him I was coming to visit until I was less than 10 minutes away. When I would finally arrive, he would be there, ready to greet me at the door. And then, he would look up at me, turn his mouth up at the corners and give me an honest-to-goodness ‘grin’. After the initial fuss, he would turn his attention to my belongings and go through my bags in hopes of finding a treat, a new ball or something else wonderful that he was sure I had brought for him. And, when I finally settled in a chair to rest, there he would be – climbing on my lap and resting on my leg.
Time, of course, marches on. To see him get older, and less playful was hard. But when he got sick, I was heartbroken. My friend wasn’t the same. Getting up to greet me was difficult – laying back down was harder. There was no more joy in the thought of playing with a ball. And no more grin.
And so last week, my sister made the decision that the time had come to let MacLeod go. And we gathered, as we have for all our family’s pets, to say our good-byes. I had promised him I would be there when the time came, and I made good on that promise by holding his paw gently as he found peace.
While it is still hard to believe he is gone, I am so happy he came into our lives and that he allowed us to share him for a little while. Thank you Mackie. Please know we will miss you always.
I loved this dog. I still do.
Apr 21, 2014
They say the camera does not lie. And yet, I look at this photo of Lady Jane taken just yesterday, and I am stunned by how good she looks. She was always a pretty kitty and even at 17 years old, Lady Jane was a beautiful old girl. But, what this image doesn’t show is the sadness that surrounds it. For, it was taken during the brief space of 5 minutes yesterday when she had stopped vomiting, we had already contacted the emergency vet to say we were coming and were about to place her in her carrier for her final car ride. I got her to relax on our bed (truly one of her favourite places) and took a few final pictures. Within 10 minutes of this image, we were on our way.
Lady Jane was a wonderful girl and such a trooper. Cats often are. She had been diagnosed in early October with Chronic Renal Failure and her vet had warned us not to expect more than a couple of months. We were understandably shocked and it took us some time to process the information. We knew she had been losing weight, but I don’t think either my husband, Dean, or I were prepared for the severity of the issue. But our vet kindly answered all of our questions, sent us home with lots of information and medication to stabilize her, and we determined to simply cherish the time we had left.
And you know, we got into a rhythm with giving her her medication and ensuring that she ate properly. It was at that point that we realized that Lady Jane had probably been feeling unwell for some time, because the medication helped her to rally. In the 6 months since her diagnosis, Lady Jane has done things and explored area she had never done before. She learned how to climb onto the desk in my husband’s office so that she could sit on the windowsill and watch the world go by. She no longer used the stool beside our bed which had been placed there to help her old bones get up more easily – she bounded from the floor and back off again. And then sometimes, she leaped from the bed onto the dresser. Her greatest success was when she propelled herself from the couch onto our dining table. Most of these things would certainly would have been unacceptable in our house (no getting up on the dining table!), but the fact that she had the desire and the ability to do it astounded us. For a cat who had lived most of her life on one level (she had been a little portly in her younger years), it was a joy to see her enjoy herself.
And then there was her personality. When we adopted her brother Baxter 18 months ago as a companion to Lady Jane, we could not have picked a better boy. Baxter has confidence, without a hint of aggressiveness. His patient encouragement combined with her feeling much better, and Lady Jane had come out of her shell. She travelled easily and adapted to new environments. She greeted visitors when they came into our home. She stepped outside onto the balcony and felt the sun on her face. It was like she had a bucket list of things to do and we had the joy of seeing her cross things off the list.
We almost convinced ourselves that she would be with us a long time. Our friends would ask how she was doing and we would answer that she was doing remarkably well. Deep down, we knew the disease would eventually get the better of her, but given her newfound love of life and adventure, it seemed a long way off. And, we were not prepared for how quickly it would happen. It seems like on Friday the medication stopped working which translated into Lady Jane being extremely picky over her food. We had been very fortunate that throughout everything she was a great drinker – bowls and bowls of water helped flush her ailing kidneys and kept her happy. But, by yesterday morning, she had stopped drinking, stopped eating and begun almost non-stop vomiting. She also found it very difficult to use the litter box. I gave her her medication to help with the vomiting and offered her her favourite ‘treats’ – chicken and lactose-free milk. She refused the chicken, but lapped up the milk. Only to bring it all up within 10 minutes. It was as if her digestive system was shutting down.
Seeing her suffer this way helped us making a heart-wrenching decision. Of course, not only was it a Sunday but it was a holiday and therefore her regular vet was closed. Which led us to the wonderful people at Vaughn-Richmond Hill VEC who helped her pass, surrounded by the people who loved her most. I got to hold her and I hope that she felt me stroking her and that the last thing she heard was me telling her how much I loved her.
Seventeen years is a long time. A small furry kitten originally from Brampton Animal Shelter left her mark on our lives and on our hearts. She made us smile. She made us laugh. There is now only a gaping hole that she used to inhabit.
Lady Jane, our little furry face. You were loved. Please know, we love you still.
“You’re the one that I love, and I’m saying good-bye…” ~A Great Big World (Say Something)
May 26, 2013
Today marks a sad anniversary – it was exactly one year ago that we said good-bye to our Ripley. It was a bright, sunny spring morning, much like this one. But for Dean and I, it was the end of an era.
It seems like yesterday that the three of us made that last car ride together. In fact, we still tear up when we think about him, as the pain is yet just below the surface. But, in reality, a whole year has passed and I realize that so much has changed since then.
For one thing, there is no doubt that the sharp pain has eased for all of us. We no longer come through the front door expecting to have Ripley greet us, nor do I wake up in the night looking for the feel of his soft weight against my legs. Lady Jane, too, finally stopped grieving for her brother and began to be her old self again. And, as I always secretly knew, we were in time, ready for the biggest change of all. We welcomed 2 year old Baxter into our home and into our hearts. (One the unexpected results was that, as a result of the new playmate and the increased physical activity, Lady Jane has lost some weight. She now runs and just a few weeks ago, managed to jump on the dresser in our bedroom – a place she has not been up on in over 10 years. Talk about a change!)
Initially, my biggest fear was that I would forget about Ripley – his little habits and the stories we shared. I wanted so desperately to emblazon his memory in my mind. Consequently, right after his death, we took a notebook and through our tears, wrote down all of the things that had made him special. Every memory we could come up with, even the small, silly ones. And, as Dean and I would remember additional stories, we would continue to write. It helped in the healing process and allowed us to slowly let go, knowing Ripley’s life story was safe. However, we soon realized that we should do this for all of our kitties, keeping records as we go. So Lady Jane, and now Baxter, have their own special memory books. And we take photographs…so many photographs.
But, for all of the progress we have made, the truth is, I don’t think there will ever come a day when I don’t think about our Orange Boy. He was our very first pet together, and because he came into our lives just 3 months after Dean and I were married, Ripley had been there practically from the beginning. We loved him so much, and he, us. He will always be a part of our story.
Ripley, for all of our brave faces, how we still miss you! But, this I promise you: you will never be forgotten. Afterall, you never forget your first.
Dec 6, 2012
I’ve been thinking about this for some time now, more so since we lost Ripley at the end of May. From the time we had his diagnosis to the time we said our final good-bye, it was less than 36 hours. After 16.5 years together (we adopted him when he was about 1 years of age), we had less than 36 hours. A precious few hours to hold him, cherish him and try to memorize everything we knew about him.
Fortunately, I am a professional photographer. Which means I literally have hundreds of images of Ripley throughout his life. But, at the end, I needed more. Even though I can now clearly see the difference between when he was well and the last couple of days of his life, I created more images. Those photographs still bring tears to my eyes, but they make me smile too because they are memories of him.
But, it made me think of those who are not photographers. Those who only have the odd iPhone image of their beloved furry face(s) or a few images stored away on a hard drive somewhere. When the time comes, in most cases, that won’t be enough.
I always tell my clients not to wait until the end to invest in professional custom pet photography. It is wonderful to have images and memories of the times when our pets are well, active and vibrant. But life happens and we get busy. And sometimes these things catch us by surprise. For those, I am happy to introduce Posh Pets® Heritage Sessions.
What are Heritage Sessions™?
Heritage Sessions™ are special sessions that are high-priority because they are reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. I know, from personal experience, you may not have even a week to have your precious boy or girl photographed. So, I will do everything reasonably possible to meet your scheduling needs so that you don’t miss out on this very important time together. Simply put, they can be requested on short notice and we will find a way to work it into our calendar.
Your Heritage Session™ will also go at the pace of your pet. When a pet is ill or is simply quite elderly, they need frequent breaks for water, rest, and medication. Given the emotions involved, you might need a break too. So, we will not watch the clock. We will not keep track of time. We will simply photograph until we have the images you want. And need. And make sure that you have some time to just enjoy each other’s company, and have it frozen in time forever.
I know images won’t make up for the loss of your pet. It will still hurt. A lot. And you will feel like there is a huge hole left in your heart. But, in time, looking at the images you chose to create together, you too, will be able to smile through the tears.
POSH PETS® HERITAGE SESSIONS
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
- High-priority sessions are reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice and work within their restrictions.
- An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time together, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
- Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
- More information can be found here.
