Why do I offer Senior Pet Celebrations?
When I began writing this blog, I started with the second paragraph. Then I remembered, “um, Katie, your history with animals starts way earlier than that.” My first word was a dog’s name: Libby. That’s how long I’ve been an animal lover; ever since I could talk, I would talk about animals.
Me with Libby
My family adopted the Black lab/Dalmatian Tobey when I was in 3rd grade, and I instantly fell in love with my first dog. My dad probably still has the homemade videos of little 3rd-grade-me demonstrating “how to train your dog” or “how to make homemade dog biscuits they’ll love.” (Maybe we have YouTube gold hidden somewhere in a filing cabinet! Cause that’s totally where you store VHS tapes, right?) Tobey was a total snuggle bug and if you were on the couch he was going to be in the nook of your legs.
A few years later, we welcomed our second dog, Amber, into the family. She was a tough nut to crack. Snuggles and kisses weren’t her style, and honestly, I respected her for that. You knew there was a mutual respect if you earned the right to pet her on her head.
Amber
Then came my 16th birthday. Hurricane Katrina had recently walloped New Orleans. My family rallied behind me when I decided I wanted to raise funds for Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) in lieu of gifts at my Sweet 16. A few weeks after the celebration, my dad had to take a business trip to New Orleans, and my stepmom and I were able to accompany him on the journey. We were able to hand-deliver the money to ARNO in-person. What an experience that was!
Making friends with the pups and staff at ARNO
Fast forward a few years and I’m headed up to University of Vermont to study Animal Science. Yep, I wanted animals to be my life.
I had to meet the cows at every University I visited
Since that time, I’ve rehabilitated and released sea turtles, taught little ones about the wonders of the natural world as a marine science educator, and I found my soulmate in the form of my (now) husband’s adopted mutt, Kimmy.
Helping with a blood draw during my Sea Turtle Rehab Internship at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota, FL
Miss Kimmy was about 8 years old when I met her (we think.) From day one we were inseparable. My husband even joked that she was no longer his dog (despite having her for 7 years already!) It didn’t take long for her to associate the sound of his phone ringing with me coming over to his apartment (that’s how he buzzed me in) and she began sitting by the door ANY time his phone rang.
Luckily for me and Kimmy, eventually we moved from Connecticut to Florida and in together, and over time her conditioned response to his phone ringing waned, because…we were always together!
Kimmy backseat driving. Always together.
And when I say always together, I mean ALWAYS together, especially in these last couple years. I began working from home, COVID hit, and old age was starting to hit Kimmy pretty hard (not that she’d ever admit that.)
Our walks around the neighborhood turned into half-walks, half-wagon rides, and the couch and kitchen became off-limits after two cruciate injuries made her unsteady on her feet. Our home’s entryway turned into a makeshift handicapped walkway with a yoga mat and bath mats for ideal paw-gripping.
But every day, it didn’t matter where I was in the house, she’d manage to get there. “We’re going into the office today? Ok, mom, meet ya there!” “Oh you need a water break? I’ll come and sit outside the kitchen and wait for you.” Her walking ability left something to be desired, yet she always had to be where I was.
And even though she is no longer with us, she is still always where I am. Because we made the decision to hire a photographer once we knew our time together was coming to an end, I have a portrait of Miss Kimmy hanging in my office where I can see it every single day.
Photo of Kimmy by Dana Nicole Photography
Our best friends aren’t around forever. I got an extra eight years with her beautiful soul. And every day I get to look at a framed portrait of her hanging on my wall in my office because someone was kind enough to offer me a senior dog photo session. Now, I get to offer that session to you. I get to help you create and capture memories you’ll cherish for years to come. Because not only do you deserve it, but they do too.
Me and Kimmy by Dana Nicole Photography
Are you interested in doing a Senior Dog Celebration session? You can rest assured knowing that we will spend exactly the right amount of time needed to capture what makes your loved one so special, all while respecting their limits and providing lots of positive reinforcement. As a pet owner myself, I know how special your relationship is. It’s my job to bring it to light.