I photograph a lot of dogs. It makes sense, as I am pet photographer. Numerous animals pass in front of my lens each week, often to produce a beautiful image that will get them adopted. Happily, I also get to do private commissions that create lasting memories of much-loved pets for their humans. So, it is fair to say that I meet all kinds of personalities and temperaments and I consider it my job to capture the essence of these grand souls. However, by far the most challenging dog I have ever photographed is one that belongs in our family – my sister’s dog who was “rescued” over a year ago. This is her story…
They named her Rags, short for Ragamuffin. Truthfully, the name fit. Found running down a main road by a kindly police officer, this snippet of a dog shivering from the cold was brought to the closest shelter. A senior dog, deaf, blind and not yet spayed, she had been hungry too long. And had too many puppies. As a result, her skin was many sizes too large for the small body she carried on her slight frame. Her coat was a clear witness to the neglect she had experienced.
The now permanently closed shelter had an arrangement with the local college – they “placed” animals with the Veterinary Technician Program with the hopes of them becoming socialized. It was a good arrangement. After all, the students needed practice at handling animals, and a socialized animal has a much better chance of adoption than one that is not. It was in this way, a small, delicate Shih-Poo named Rags arrived at the college in a sad state. She was almost immediately shaved and spayed and met the students.
One of those students was my sister.
From the moment she met Rags, my sister held her and gave her warmth. With words she could not hear, but affection she could feel, she let her know that someone in the world cared, even if for a few hours a week. But, time marches on and soon it was the end of the semester when the animals would need to return to shelter life. My sister knew that that simply could not happen to Rags. Given her age and medical condition, her chances of adoption were almost non-existent. Simply put, her future was grim.
And so Rags was brought home. We are a close family, which means that this girl has become a part of all of our lives. It has been amazing to see the indomitable spirit of such a little dog. While she spent her first few days only sleeping and eating, by the third day, she wagged her tail for the first time. A few days later, she found her voice.
She now shares her life with two other Shih Tzus, and although deaf and blind, she has quickly learned the routine. They have accepted her into the family and surprisingly, she interacts with them despite her limited senses. More importantly, she has not let her past taint her ability to accept the love she is now receiving and will receive until the end.
This week we reach a milestone. After much work, my sister graduates from her Program. As is expected during these rites of passage, all of the students had their graduation photos taken this week. Amongst them was a little dog. However, it wasn’t Rags who had her photo taken, for the dog who arrived at the shelter over a year ago, no longer exists. Rags has truly graduated to her new life and, in doing so, had her name changed. She is now Muffin. Or, Muffy. The sweetest dog in the world. The little dog with an amazing heart. The little dog who has found her forever home.
Karen Weiler of Posh Pets Photography is a fine art pet photographer who specializes in custom portrait sessions for discerning dogs and cats along with the people they share their lives with. Celebrating the special bond between a pet and its human family results in images that will last for years to come. She is a proud member of HeARTs Speak. Posh Pets Photography is located in Toronto, Canada.