Lookout Joe Pet Photo Day was another successful PhoDographer fundraising event for the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry! What a fun time I had photographing the 15 pets and their people who came out to support the event! And an extra special thanks goes out to my repeat customers who’ve participated in other “photo day” events in the past, or who have already had their very own personal PhoDographer sessions. It was great seeing all of you again.
It was so gratifying to deliver our 200 lbs of pet food, treats, litter and pet supplies on the doorstep of the Food Pantry. And since they’ve got a distribution scheduled in about 3 weeks, (Saturday, 9/18, 10am-12noon at Circle Storage, 11367 Deerfield Rd, Blue Ash 45242), our donations will quickly be put to good use. The Pantry had a record turnout at their last distribution and they actually ran out of food. Sadly, they weren’t able to accommodate everyone who had come out and had to turn people and animals away empty-handed. They are working on ways to address this issue, but if the thought of this makes you as sad as it does me, please consider helping to remedy this situation by making a donation of food, time, money or even pet food coupons. They can use them all.
There are so many reasons that I love doing these fundraising events as a pet photographer. First and foremost, my heart and soul is 100% behind the work done by our local animal welfare community and there are so many deserving organizations doing so much good on behalf of animals. Personally, I’ve spent many years of my life working “in the trenches” with many of these groups before turning to my camera to find new ways to support them, (some of my favorite groups are listed here). And it was my early work photographing rescued animals that eventually evolved into the business that is PhoDographer today. So I feel an obligation to maintain my ties to this community while at the same time leveraging my skills in a new arena to help those organizations that I so strongly support. Secondly, hosting these events allows me the opportunity to get a gigantic pet fix in just one day! Rarely do I get to interact with more than a few animals in any one day on a regular client shoot day, and I miss that. Its just so fun to meet all the different animals each with their own little endearing qualities and personality quirks. And its a great photographic challenge, too – it really keeps me on my toes! I especially appreciate those of you who braved the weather and the event to bring your CATS out to the event. While I”m an equal opportunity pet photographer, the vast majority of my clients are dogs. And when I do have the opportunity to photograph a cat, 9 times out of 10 it is in their home. But three of them joined me this time, (yeah!). As my 8-year old Connor would say, “now that’s something you don’t see every day!”
I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to mention sweet Bella, pictured on the right of her sister, Leela, in the above photo. She was such a patient and willing trooper during our shoot, but I knew she wasn’t feeling well because her family let me know she had just been diagnosed with cancer. She hadn’t been eating very much, so when we found that she took a special liking to one of the treats I had brought along, I kept feeding her these little tidbits of goodness as long as she was interested. I received word from her family later that week that she had gone in for surgery just three days after I had met her. They explained to me that her cancer was more extensive than thought and that she didn’t survive the surgery.
My heart goes out to Bella’s family whom I know are just devastated by their loss and are simply struggling to come to terms with the reality of it. It all happened so quickly that I don’t think they’ve had time to process what was happening. I’ve been there, and I know how difficult that situation can be. I hope that the pictures we took on that Sunday afternoon, with her sweet smile and gentle eyes looking back at you, help to bring you some comfort. Bella, I’m so lucky to have met you and had a chance to photograph you surrounded by the family that loved you. A little ray of sunshine was extingished on the day you crossed the rainbow bridge.
Rest in peace, sweet Bella.
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