Nov 8, 2012
When I first conceived of Posh Pets Photography, I had determined that I would “give back” by volunteering my talents as a photographer to photograph adoptable animals. It was a great plan, but I was plagued by three questions:
- One, would anyone accept me as a volunteer?
- Two, would I be able to take photographs of shelter animals of differing dispositions in unfavourable circumstances?
- And three, would it ever make a difference in the lives of these little furry faces?
So hesitant was I to offer my services that it took months before I plucked up the courage to walk into Toronto Animal Services to inquire if they needed anyone with my skills. As serendipity would have it, the shelter manager herself happened to be at the front desk that day, and as I stumbled badly through my “pitch”, I thought for sure she would say no. Her answer was immediate. When can you start?
That was in November of 2011…a whole year has passed since then! In that time, I have had the privilege of working with the wonderful staff at TAS – they have been integral in the success I have found in doing this week after week. I have also had the joy of meeting so may wonderful furry faces and watching with happiness as they, one by one, find their forever homes. Truthfully, some days are better than others. Sometimes the weather is glorious, the dogs and cats perfect models, and it is like I cannot take a bad photograph. Other days, it is raining, cold and we have the challenge of photographing a shy and fearful dog. But either way, those few moments of belly rubs and treats results in a photograph that will be posted on the website for the world to see.
Which brings me to Buddy.
I photographed Buddy this past summer on June 11, 2012. We took his image in what I call the “courtyard” at TAS…not as picturesque as it sounds. He was a bit shy, bewildered really as to how at 10 1/2 years old, he now found himself abandoned. I knew we had to get a special picture of Buddy for this senior to have a chance at adoption and, as I recall, I worked with him for quite a while. When I returned the next week, I was told that Buddy had gone to rescue. This made me happy as he would have a better chance in their hands, but I was sure that that was all I would hear of him. You see, I don’t often get feedback as to what happens to the animals after they go to rescue, and I didn’t expect Buddy’s situation to be any different.
Until last week, that is, when I received this e-mail…
Alfie (formerly Buddy ) was not put out on the adoption floor as he had been pulled by Speaking of Dogs. His photo was that of your beautiful work so I recognized immediately he had come from TAS North… While the old man of 10 1/2 was scraggly, emaciated and in serious need of medical TLC your photo exemplified his gentle, loving soul through his soft brown eyes. I can only imagine how difficult he would have been to adopt given his condition with the usual quick point and shoot. Thanks to you & Speaking of Dogs he came ‘ home ‘ to us and lived two spoiled, adored months of squirrel chasing, hugs and lake trips.
Thank you for offering your time and care to those who need it most.
My eyes welled with tears when I read these kind words. Not only had Buddy (now Alfie) found a home, but he had enjoyed the last two months of his life surrounded by love and comfort that only a home can give. And…the writer had said that my image had made a difference!
I was moved to reach out to Alfie’s mom and asked her for permission to share some of her thoughts on the time they had him with him. She wrote me back with these words…
Two months or two years seems like a blip in time but we could not have imagined our lives without that boy. Total lover – a leaner if you will. Was our pleasure to shower him with love and dignity. Life is about quality not quantity. Seniors have so much to teach us about life and love.
Such truth in those words. And so, thank you to all of you who foster and adopt abandoned animals, especially the seniors. Thank you to all of the shelter and rescue organizations that give these furry faces a second chance. And thank you, dear blog readers, facebook followers and all of you who reach out to me to let me know how the story ends for these lovely pets – I truly appreciate it!
I will now leave you with Buddy’s image. Looking at it now, it is not the best one I have ever taken. It won’t ever win any awards. But, it got Buddy, as Alfie, a second chance. And that, quite simply, is good enough for me.
I am not alone in volunteering for a shelter organization. Posh Pets Photography is a proud member of HeARTs Speak, a global network of animal photographers, artists, authors, graphic designers, and advocates who believe in the power of collaboration to reduce the number of adoptable animals unnecessarily euthanized each year. Artists. Helping. Animals. For more information on HeARTs Speak, please see their webpage by clicking here.
Nov 7, 2012
When I went in this week into Toronto Animal Services to photograph the adoptables, I was pleasantly surprised! There were absolutely NO kitties to photograph as they had all found their forever homes during this past weekend’s “Fall in Love” promotion. I was assured that there were a number of kittens that would be coming up, but they were presently undergoing their ‘transformation’ in surgery that morning…not an ideal photo opportunity! In any case, it was excellent news first thing in the morning.
So, we quickly moved onto the doggies who needed their model headshots. And what a awesome-threesome we met this week! Please find their images below!
If you are looking for a little more information, take a peak at the Posh Pets’ Facebook page. However, if you would like to make arrangements to meet them in person, please contact Toronto Animal Services (North Region) directly.
Oct 31, 2012
This week’s group yielded a “trio of three year olds”. While kittens and puppies are indescribably cute, the more mature furry faces have much love to give as well.
As always you can contact Toronto Animal Services (North) directly to inquire about any of the animals you see here. We also have a little information about each of them on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page. See you next week!
Oct 25, 2012
Here is the roundup for this week’s group of furry adoptable faces! Everyone is cute and cuddly and would love to jump into your heart and home. There is a little more information on the Toronto Animal Services (North) website as well as the Posh Pets’ Facebook page about each of these wonderful boys and girls. If you see someone you would like to get to know better, please contact TAS directly to arrange a meet-and-greet.
Oct 21, 2012
By my records, Posh Pets Photography has photographed 299 adoptable pets in 2012. Incredibly, 278 have found their forever homes or have found a place with a rescue organization! It is things like this that makes my heart sing! In honour of these little furry faces, I put together a quick video showcasing some of the guys and girls that have passed in front of my lens…please enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eYD02RM9Rs&feature=plcp
Oct 18, 2012
Here is this week’s round-up of adorable adoptables available at Toronto Animal Services (North). As always, we have a little more information about each of them on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page and you can get all of the details by contacting TAS directly.
Incidentally, Miki (the beautiful dog in this first photo) was our 299th subject for 2012! I’m sure you would agree that she is stunning and, in person, is such a calm, sweetheart who walks beautifully on her leash. Come and meet Miki and all of her friends today!
Oct 11, 2012
After a bit of a vacation, I went back to TAS this morning. Boy, did that feel good! Lots of tail-waggers to meet and photograph, and some really gorgeous pets just awaiting their forever homes. If you see a guy or gal that you like, please contact Toronto Animal Services (North Region) directly. They can arrange a meeting with your prospective new family member.
You can also find out a little bit more about each of these furry faces on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page. Please check it out and share their images!
First, are the graceful felines…
And now the tail-wagging canines…
Thanks for joining us – we’ll see you again next week!
Aug 28, 2012
There was a whole gaggle of furry faces that passed in front of the Posh Pets‘ lens this week! And each one was adorable and is eagerly awaiting their forever family to come and find them! There is a little more info on each of these future pets on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page, but please contact Toronto Animal Services (North Region) directly to arrange an introduction. And thank you to all that share their lovely images…it really does help in finding them homes.
Aug 12, 2012
This week was the first time that Posh Pets Photography photographed guinea pigs! They really are very cute and these two in particular, Molly and Millie, are sisters that would love to be adopted together. And there were a lovely group of furry faces, both canine and feline…so something for everyone. Don’t forget that Toronto Animal Services is offering 2-for-1 adoption fees for all cats who find forever homes until August 15, 2012. So, if you have been thinking about a new family member, don’t delay!
All of these lovely furry faces have more information about them on the Posh Pets Facebook page, so go ahead and check them out. Of course, you can always contact Toronto Animal Services (North Region) directly if you want to meet any of them!
Jul 31, 2012
Here are this week’s adoptables all looking for a forever home! There are a number of kitties this time around, so please share their faces to help them get a little exposure. And if you see one you like, please contact Toronto Animal Services (North Region) directly and arrange to meet them!
For more information, you can also check out the Posh Pets Facebook page…they are all there gazing back at you!
Jul 18, 2012
It was a hot morning on Monday when I went in to photograph this week’s adoptables. Dog tongues were hanging out as we found some relief in the shade of a tree. Even the indoor kitties with their fur coats were evidently feeling the heat – I watched as one guy had all four paws in the large water bowl and was happily creating a wave pool with his paw, while simultaneously drinking. His feline friends looked on with curiosity mingled with disdain as he played with their water source.
So, with that, here is this week’s line-up…they are all available and eagerly waiting to meet their forever families at Toronto Animal Services! There is more information about each and everyone of them on the TAS site as well as the Posh Pets’ Facebook page. Please share their furry faces far and wide and let us know if one comes into your home – we love to hear the happy endings!
Jul 13, 2012
Ever heard of selective hearing? Apparently, it was an ailment I suffered from all through my teenage years…I listened to what I wanted, and simply “did not hear” the rest. (Of course, the parts that I did not hear were usually the good advice from my parents or anything else that would have been beneficial…)
Selective focus is similar, except it is done very deliberately. It is a technique to have the viewer focus on a particular area of the image, without the photographer having to say a word. This way the viewer can more easily hone in on the parts that are important and disregard the rest.
In honour of this theme, the Posh Pets‘ image was taken on Monday at the shelter. Here is little Kirby, who likes to play hide and seek with the photographer. He wasn’t particularly fond of the camera, so I had to use a long lens so that he would have his personal space. You can see though, that he always had his eyes on me, even as he took refuge in amongst the plants. Focusing on tiny, little Kirby threw the greenery out of focus and now you can clearly see his cute little expression, completely and utterly focused on me.
Kirby is also focused on finding his forever family. You are most welcome to come meet him and his shelter pals at Toronto Animal Services (North Region)!
Next in the blog ring is San Diego Pet Photographer, Karla Ogilvie. Please click through to see what she and the rest of the Beautiful Beasties gang came up with this week!
