contemporary, lifestyle, on-location animal photography

last week for K-W Humane Society 2011 calendar entries

April 12, 2010

this year, once again, scruffy dog photography will be shooting the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society calendar.

if you would like to win a free scruffy dog mini-shoot and have your pet appear in the 2011 calendar, get your entry in TODAY!!

guidelines and rules are as followed (posted on the KWHS facebook page):

Have a cute or funny photo of your pet? Enter the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) Pet Photo Contest. Each year our Centre creates an animal themed calendar to raise money for the orphaned animals of K-W. This year we need your help. Your pet could be one of 12 lucky pets in our community that will be showcased in our 2011 Calendar. Photo’s must be submitted before April 16, 2010.

The top 12 photos that receive the most votes (as voted by the public), will win a place in our annual fundraising calendar and a private mini photo shoot with Scruffy Dog Photography (valued at $75). One lucky winner will become the KWHS 2011 Mascot and win free admission to all KWHS events in 2011, and a KWHS gift package (valued at $150). Please read the submission guidelines before you submit your photo. Vote for your favourite photo in your next edition of CentreNews. Voting runs from April 21 to May 10, 2010.

Submit a photo to: [email protected]
Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Pet’s Name:
Photo Caption:

Thank you!!!

Pet Photo Contest Rules and Guidelines

The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society’s (KWHS) Annual Photo contest will consist of 30 pre-chosen photos.

These pictures can be a themed, captioned or funny pet photo that you have taken. The top 30 submissions will be selected by the KWHS Staff, the chosen 30 photos will then be voted on by the public.

The top 12 pet photos receiving the most votes will win a place in our Annual Fundraising Calendar and a private mini shoot with Scruffy Dog Photography (valued at $75). Dates for the photo shoots will be arranged with our winners and Scruffy Dog Photography. In addition, one lucky winner (who receives the most votes) will become the KWHS mascot and win free admission to KWHS events and a KWHS gift package valued at $150.

Remember to submit your photos before the deadline; 4 p.m. April 16, 2010.

Rules & Guidelines – Submitting Photos

1.To enter, you must be a resident of Kitchener, Waterloo and North Waterloo.
2.Employees and Board Members of the KWHS are not eligible.
3.The photo subject must be a pet related photo and have been taken within the last 12 months.
4.Entries must be submitted by the original photographer (amateur photographers only). Do not submit a photo taken by someone other than yourself. You must be sole owner of the copyright of any image submitted. Your submission of the photo is your guarantee that you are the author and copyright holder of the photo.
5.All photos must be submitted in .JPEG file format via email only. Minor digital enhancement is permitted, but images that have been significantly modified or appear unnatural will not be accepted.
6.All photos must be submitted to [email protected] by the deadline: 4 p.m., April 16, 2010. Please include your name, address, phone number, pet’s name, photo description, and photo caption with your emailed submission.
7.There is no fee to submit a photo.
8.A maximum of one photo per household/family can be submitted.
9.Photos with vulgarities will not be accepted.
10.Photos must be in landscape format and in focus.
11.Submitted photographs become the property of the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society and will not be returned. By submitting your photo, you are granting permission for the picture to be published in KWHS written, online, and media publications.
12.Prizes will be awarded to the best entries (as voted by the public).
13.Photos will be judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality and effectiveness in conveying the pet’s personality.

Rules & Guidelines – Voting on Photos

1.Vote for you favourite photos between April 21 and May 10, 2010.
2.You can vote via our website at www.kwhumane.com, Facebook Fan page at www.facebook.com/KitchenerWaterlooHumaneSociety or by coming into the Centre at 250 Riverbend Drive in Kitchener.
3.There is no fee to vote – but donations are always welcome!

… you have until 4 p.m. this Friday (April 16) to get your entry in, so what are you waiting for?!

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the newest member of the scruffies pack

April 5, 2010

as most of you know, we had to say goodbye to sweet, old man morley last week. as he struggled with a brain tumor, i’d noticed several weeks ago that he wasn’t wagging his tail as much. it had nothing to do with pain, but more from confusion, and perhaps a lack of interest in life. so … knowing that nothing on this earth made morley happier than another terrier (or any dog for that matter), i made a move which couldn’t have been more perfect.

meet merrick …

studio-bed-6

you met him first here, but i wanted to be sure about this little goober before i made any formal introductions.

third-day-21

here’s a little about his story …

some weeks ago, back in february, someone sent me a Kijiji ad for something … while there i plugged in “wirehaired” and came up with an ad for this little guy. as most of you know, all of my dogs have been rescues or from shelters. i do NOT condone buying your dog off of Kijiji or Craig’s List, and certainly not from a pet store. but after a little digging on the poster’s other ads i could tell that this boy was being used as a stud dog for what i can hope is only a small puppymill or barnyard breeder.

i’d initially sent the ad to another friend who had talked about getting a family dog but was told they’d changed their mind … and i just let it go. i had one dog (Matea) with a back injury, and the other (Morley) with seizures … i couldn’t handle another special case. but as a few weeks passed and morley stopped wagging, i found myself thinking about this little, 6 yr old guy again.

these are the Kijiji photos …

untitled-1
after a forty-five minute drive, we arrived at the farm with morley in tow. the wife and their 8 yr old daughter brought the dog out while the farmer talked a bit to us. the dog’s belly never left the ground and his head was hung low. at the feet of the daughter, his eyes darted wildly from the ground to the girl, to the parents, to the ground again … utterly terrified. if anyone shifted on that freezing, slushy laneway, he ducked even further and skittered to the side, clearly expecting a firm boot.

from the moment i laid eyes on him i knew he was the worst fear case i have personally seen … and i knew we had to get him out of there. with his belly still dragging on the ground and his tail tucked so tightly i wasn’t sure he even had a tail, we walked him down the drive through icy slush and water … only with morley did he perk up a little … but just a little. i handled his ears, his mouth, played with his paws just to see how he was … i’ve never encountered more fear-based submission before. in fact, when i first went to pet him, i truly believed he was going to bite me. as it turned out, i even got a kiss when i picked him up for the second time.

we walked him down the long drive several times … partly so that my partner and i could talk, but mostly to get the hell away from his abusers and get some kind of an idea what he was like.

i didn’t try to negotiate a better price … i was too sick to my stomach. i paid $125 to get him out of there. now, i do realize this is a slippery slope … giving my hard-earned money to these people to get this dog out of that situation, but i KNEW — given his incredible fear — that no one else was going to do it. he was going to end up dead or — at best — sold to another breeder … and this little guy deserved a lot more than that.

during the drive home, i was literally shaking and working hard not to throw up … i was so upset. partly from fear of not knowing what we had just gotten ourselves into, but mostly because the thought of me contributing to a sale-for-profit for a dog is utterly sickening to me.

once home, we took him and matea on an hour-long pack-walk. this set the tone, and after a few weeks of careful and highly-choreographed interactions, these two are well on their way to forging an incredible relationship as he slathers her with kisses on a routine basis.

besides having to neuter merrick, he came with a full load of roundworms, and a raging urinary tract infection that has required two rounds of antibiotics so far. he’s also on natural remedies for crystals and the infection — hydrangea and colloidal silver — as well as other much needed supplements along with his raw diet. the scabs across his body have healed, and because i was able to secure his last vaccination records we weren’t forced to bombard his system with those as well.

and today — four weeks later — he’s pretty healthy … although his ribs and spine are still a little too prominent.

he’s absolutely the worst fear case i have personally encountered. they always say that you get the dog you need, not necessarily the one you want. merrick is totally that case. i will learn much from this incredible boy as i work to build his confidence in the world and with people. honestly, once this boy is rehabbed i’ll have personally dealt with just about every dog issue out there except for severe people-aggression. so, we both have much to learn, even though i can’t imagine a better place for him.

i have also discovered that balls are this boy’s doorway …

if you have a ball, you have his attention, no matter what’s going on in the scary world around him.

in fact, most of my photos of merrick in these early days do, and will, involve a ball. even to get him to pose for the camera, a ball is required to overcome his fear of the shutter … because he really is pretty camera shy.

he’s also got the most wicked underbite ever, which often gives the impression he’s smiling …

but i know this little guy is definitely smiling when he deals with matea … he adores her and acts like her long-lost puppy. i wasn’t able to capture his tongue in the shot below … it’s too fast … but he definitely loves giving kisses.

so, that’s merrick. you’ll be seeing more of him as the weeks and months unfold, and he becomes braver in this bright new world … a world full of balls.

and just a final note on buying your puppy from a farm … please know that just because it’s a farm in the country does NOT necessarily mean that your pup has enjoyed it’s country life. and i can assure that its parents certainly aren’t! in most cases, these “farm” pups are the product of puppymills … bred purely for profit with zero regard for health, genetics and socialization … and definitely no regard for animal welfare. dogs are nothing more than agriculture … cheap livestock that can turn a quick profit for the farmer. please, please, PLEASE don’t be fooled. and please do your research.

for more information, check out these links (just a few of many):

http://www.kismutt.com/canadapup/faq.html … of note is #1 on this list, which applies to the farm where merrick came from.

http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/

http://www.hsicanada.ca/pdfs/puppy-mills-factsheet.pdf

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/266934779

Facebook Comments

21 comments

BarbaraWhat a bittersweet story. I like how sweet comes after bitter. It’s so obvious that you made the right choice under the circumstances. Good for you for giving that baby a home and a life. It’s your heart taking these pictures and its obvious.ReplyCancel
Stephanie Graf-VocatThere is not limit to so-called breeder’s cruelty… Thank God there is no limit to big hearts and dog lovers like you too! I rescued dogs from so-called breeders as well, and to witness the way they’ve been used, without any proper care and love, is so revolting. Dogs are such amazing creatures, learning to trust and be happy again even after having been mistreated… Merrick had surely come a long way thanks to you!ReplyCancel
Suzanne Watkinsgreat photos xxx thanksReplyCancel
Sandy & RykerYou are rackin’ up the good Karma for saving this little guy. He looks tons better since you got him. There is light in them eyes!ReplyCancel
illonaTHANK YOU, everyone … for your words of support and encouragement … and for sharing this journey with me. i do post more regular updates of the little guy on my flickr stream, but will make an attempt to do so here as well.

thank you again, all.ReplyCancel
jeffIllona, Bravo!ReplyCancel
Tracey MitfordWOW!!!! What a story, what a cutie!! You did good by giving Merrick the home that he deserves. I love your photography as well. I am thinking of going into pet photography and you have inspired me. Take care and look forward to seeing more pictures of Merrick.ReplyCancel
SBellCongrats on the new furry family member, condolences on the passing of your sweet little old man.

I know Merrick will be so happy with you, I hope you report the monsters who did this to him…ReplyCancel
Caroline LangdellI’ve only just come across your blog thanks to Jo at http://www.wagbarklove.com but I just love the photos!
What a beautiful little dog he is and what a brilliant name (Merrick was my maiden name before I got married last year)!
I know its hard to justify giving money to such people but at least you have managed to save this little guy and hopefully spread the word about the awful practice of puppy farming.ReplyCancel
SqueakDog Pet PhotogThis is why I’ve chosen to photograph animals and not people-because animals are typically nicer than most people!!! Seriously, what is WRONG with some people in this world? I think you are an incredible person for rescuing Merrick. He is a beautiful soul, and seems really understand how much you’ve done for him. I wish you continued success with him, and I LOVE the photos-you’d never know he was camera shy 🙂ReplyCancel
ursula sooleyBLESS YOU, for rescuing this little guy and for your informative and painfully accurate portrayal of these so called breeders. For having the courage to inform and educate so many via your blog. I commend and admire
your effort as well as you work.
Your photos are superb! And Merrick looks joyful now.ReplyCancel
tamelaso sorry about morley. i loved seeing his photos. merrick already looks like a brand new scruffy guy. can’t wait to see more of him!!ReplyCancel
SylviaIt never fails to amaze and horrify me that people are able to mistreat animals like this. Merrick is a lucky pup to have found such a happy, safe home, and like Ashely said, he looks like a completely different dog. He looks HAPPY!ReplyCancel
andreait never fails to move me how dogs and people find each other when they need one another the most. i have no doubt that you and merrick will learn a lot from one another…and will do so with an abundance of joy and love. i love the photos of this little guy…can’t wait to see more. 🙂ReplyCancel
Molly Kenefickillona, I am so sorry to know that Morley passed, but he had such a wonderful life in your family, surrounded by love and support and full of adventure.
Congratulations on Merrick! I’ll be waiting with bated breath to know more about his/your journey.
Love,
Molly in OaklandReplyCancel
MargaretMerrick definitely lucked out when you answered his ad and Morley got his dog! Keep up the great work!ReplyCancel
LizStories like these hurt me – and they continue to because there are so many more out there that we don’t even know about. You are such wonderful people for rescuing Merrek and I know he will have the best life. He already looks a million times better than his “ad” photo and I am noting his relaxed tone and posture. Welcome to the new scruffy, let there be only love and hugs from now on in your life.ReplyCancel
MichelleAch! I know what you mean about the circumstances being a slippery slope, but personally I have no doubt you made the right decision. Sometimes you just need to act for the one, and not for the whole, and your gut told you that was needed in Merrick’s case. There is already such a sparkle in his big brown eyes and I can’t wait to see how he evolves in this happy place. Congrats on the new add!ReplyCancel
AshleyThis dog could not have asked for a better owner and while you had to give money to those horrible people to save him, I’d have done the same thing. People like that make me sick! He looks like a whole new dog from those photos the owners took, you can just tell he was sick and not in a good place, now he looks so happy and fluffy and the photo with Matea is just adorable! Doggy love 🙂ReplyCancel
LaurenI read your blog mostly for the dog photography inspiration, but I wanted to comment on your moving post! It’s ironic that we don’t always get the dog we think we want, but definitely the one we need. It looks like he is going to have a great life! Thanks for sharing his story…ReplyCancel

a life well-lived

April 2, 2010

sorry to have let the blog languish these past few weeks … first there was the BitDefender software fiasco that required a complete rebuild of the scruffy dog system … then there was the addition of a new scruffy … and finally – sadly – the loss of our sweet scruffy morley.

adopted just shy of six years ago from the Perth County Humane Society in Stratford, morley was already nine years old when he joined our small pack. i’d spent a year searching for a small, senior dog to offer a wonderful retirement of good food, a large yard, and lots of hikes. believe it or not, we were denied adoption of other small dogs by two different private rescues who obviously felt that we couldn’t provide a good enough life … no doubt unable to recognize my abilities to bring a small dog into a pack of one, bad-ass wirehaired pointer. i’m grateful to the staff of the Perth County branch of the OSPCA for not only taking a chance, but allowing an out-of-town adoption.

i’m not sure morley could have found a fuller life … as i hope you’re able to see from just a very, very small selection of the images that document his retirement years. then again, i think some would argue that morley hardly considered his time with us as ‘retirement’.

although he slowed down in his final year, and his progressing blindness and deafness due to a brain tumor prevented us from taking very many hikes, morley lived his years with us to the fullest. he even learned to swim for the first time … and i know it was a new skill because the first couple of times in water morley sank like a stone. three-inch legs don’t lend themselves to extreme dog-paddling abilities.

nor do those short legs offer much purchase when it comes to plowing through the deep snow … and there were certainly moments when morley simply gave up and waited for a free ride, but mostly he took on the challenge … sometimes with a wild and boundless attitude.

and even though his last few months were sometimes a struggle, and his final weeks required drugs to prevent more seizures and take away some of the inflammation in his brain, i work hard at remembering the best times … the times when morley enjoyed the freedom on the trails and was finally a dog in his element.

this freedom required work, of course. when morley came to me he was a ‘runner’ and an escape artist … that’s how he ended up in the shelter. the previous owners — when called and told he’d been picked up at large — told the shelter to keep him, that they’d had him only two weeks, he hadn’t gotten along with the former owner’s toddler, and that he was always getting out. so, some training was required … but, to me, it’s always worth it to see my pack being real dogs.

as for kids and toddlers, morley was always a sweetie with all dogs and all people, no matter what the size …

he made himself at home almost immediately, winning his way into our hearts, and the hearts of so many others through his own photo set on flickr.

it’s difficult to sum up morley’s years with us. i’m pretty sure he enjoyed himself …

… even in spite of a few setbacks: a splenic tumor and a cruciate ligament tear a couple of years ago … he kept motoring and kept wagging.

he enjoyed his custom-made stool allowing him to watch the world go by …

although baths weren’t considered prime fun.

and he always tolerated my cameras in his face.

morley will be missed by many …

… but mostly by me, and i’m just so absolutely grateful that i have so many photos to remember him by. PLEASE, take photos and videos of your beloved pet — today, tomorrow, and always. document your journey together. and if you’re unable to take your own photos, hire someone. those memories are so important, and unfortunately i know first-hand how devastating it is to lose a dog too soon and not have very many photographic memories. this is the very reason scruffy dog photography was born.

having those photos won’t make the immediate loss any easier … but in the long-run they will provide you much solace and many smiles as the memories live on.

i will write more about morley’s passing when i can. in the meantime, i try to remember him as the life-loving terrierist that he was … through his photos. if you want to see more of morley’s life, you can find his photos here.

i will also fill you in a little more on merrick — the newest rescued scruffie to join the pack (seen below).

goodbye, my sweet old man. i hope you’ve found murph and are running free.

Facebook Comments

52 comments

Robyn ElizabethWhat a lovebug! I LOVED these pictures of Morley. He looked like such a spark plug 🙂 ReplyCancel
Cheryl NixonI read this and laughed and cried as I remembered our journeys with the various dogs that have enhanced our lives over the years. The older I get, the more I love my dogs. I’m sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing your babies and talent with the rest of the world.ReplyCancel
leesiawhat a beautiful tribute, illona. i’m so sorry for your loss.ReplyCancel
illonathank you once again, everyone, for your visits and your generous comments … and for sharing your own experiences and grief.

morley’s been gone for five weeks now. i admit, it feels much longer than that. i guess it’s kind of like when a loved one goes away for a short period of time and it feels like forever.

merrick has certainly helped to dissolve the grief and fill the emptiness, but the absence of morley still manages to sneak in once in a while, and my heart literally aches when it does.

thanks again, everyone.ReplyCancel
LauraThank you for sharing this peek into the life of Morely. I too suffered the loss of a dear canine companion with far too few photographic memories. And because I channeled my grief in much the same way, by shouting the message far and wide to take pictures of your pets, I can underline your message of capturing the image of those you love. Bravo on your beautiful tribute.
L.ReplyCancel
MaureenI am truly sorry to hear about Morley’s death and I wanted to give you my deepest condolences. I can only imagine the sadness you and your family are going through. Please take care!ReplyCancel
JennOh Illona,

I am so sorry to hear about Morley! What a dear old scruffy! He will be missed.

JennReplyCancel
boboh man… i can’t see the screen — there’s water in my eyes…ReplyCancel
KarlaI grew to love Morley from afar after discovering your wonderful photos of him on Flickr. He had more personality than any oher dog on Flickr. I knew that was partially him and partially your talent at capturing him in all his glory. I know you will miss him with your whole heart and soul but I’m so glad you have so many amazing photos to remember him by. I will always remember your precious Morley and feel honored that you shared him with me and so many others. I am thinking of you and Janet during this time of great loss.ReplyCancel
Natasha JappI am so sorry to hear about your loss… He was surely full of life and deeply loved, as he deserved! Tchau, Morley.ReplyCancel
AdamI am so sorry , Illona, that Morley is gone. You chose great pictures that show his full life. Lucky guy to have gotten into your home.
Thank you for letting us share a bit of that.ReplyCancel
KatieSo very sorry. I feel as if I knew Morley from the wonderful photos of him on flickr. He had such a warm, funny spirit that often made me smile. I cannot imagine how difficult this must be. Your gifts of language and photography help all of us appreciate what a wonderful dog he was. Thank you.ReplyCancel
dianeIllona, I’m so sorry to hear about Morley. What a sweet little soul he was! He knew how lucky he was to have found you, and to spend his last years in a warm and loving home. The pictures of him are just wonderful, and sure show his character. What a great inspiration!

Just as you said, having beautiful pictures of your dog is one of the best tributes, and yours of Morley are one of a kind.ReplyCancel
RuthOh Illona I’m so sorry for your loss. Morley was one of the lucky ones. Please take some solace in that xxReplyCancel
jenniferWhat a beautiful summary of Morley’s memory. As a dog photographer, I too know the importance of capturing every single moment, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Thank you for the reminder that a doggy life is too short and needs to be documented so we can look back and rememebr those precious times with our pets.ReplyCancel
Donna BassIm so sorry…this brought tears to me……as Ive lost a few friends myself over the years. Your photo tribute is beautiful and now that my Annie is reaching her senior years I must document how beautiful she is too.
Thankyou for sharing….Morley will be missed. Yours truly
DonnaReplyCancel
illonathank you again, ALL, for your wonderful words and support … and mostly for enjoying morley on flickr, for sharing his life, and in some cases, taking part in it when he needed you all most.

your generosity of spirit, thought, and — in some cases — in helping him with his surgery a couple of years ago will never be forgotten.

thank you again … and again.ReplyCancel
Cat S.Oh Illona, I am so very sorry, reading this news brought tears to my eyes, this is such a beautiful tribute for dear sweet Morley, he shall be missed by all of us. I agree, it’s so important to have photographs of our beloved furry ones, I’ve been there, too, regrets of not having enough photos and grateful for the photos that I do have of my modern pack/pride, I look at past photos often, not a day that doesn’t go by I think of those furry little ones that have been in my life. *bear hugs* Much love my dear, this is a tremendous heartache.ReplyCancel
jeffSo long Morley. You had a great life over the last six years. It was good to meet you, watch your antics and take part (virtually) in your good life. I’ll see ya around the bend. Illona, I’m imagining giving you a big hug right now.ReplyCancel
andreaI am so sorry for your loss, Illona. The photos you posted are just perfect…a wonderful reflection of a truly happy dog and well lived life. The couple of times that I had the pleasure of meeting Morley, he was full of such great character…full of soul. I will remember him always. Sophie and I are thinking of you and the rest of your crew. Hugs.ReplyCancel
Anne GeallThis is such sad news. I think because of your beautiful photos of Morley we all felt we knew him…and loved him too. Anyone who has lost a special furry friend knows what you are going through right now. My heart goes out to you.

Welcome Merrick!ReplyCancel
alexaI’m so sorry. It’s so, so, so, SO hard! Just remember that you’re very lucky to have so many wonderful photos of him… I had yet to begin my photography when I lost my special sweetie. You’ll always have these wonderful wonderful photos to look back on- and lots of memories too I’m sure. He was a special old soul.ReplyCancel
Scout and FreyjaNo matter how many days, weeks, months or years we spend with someone we love it is never enough – never. Please accept my sincere and deep sympathy on the loss of your beloved friend.ReplyCancel
StephanieThis is such a special tribute. My husband walked in to tell me something as I was reading it and the tears were flowing. I can feel the relationship you have with your dogs through your photos…..I envy that.
People always say to me, your dogs are lucky to have you. Nope. I am lucky to have them.ReplyCancel
SandraSo sorry your loss you big friend. I am very impressed from this page that you make from him to him. it’s beautiful. A great memory and the photo’s are so great. He will always in your heart and he is always on all the picture that you taken.
xxx SandraReplyCancel
DeeDeeA beautiful set of photos and tribute! I’m so glad you both found each other and my heart is sad for your loss. I’m glad you have these beautiful images and always wonderful memories of your sweet boy.ReplyCancel
Car LeeI had a few tears reading and looking through this blog spot, my older dog is now 13, a constant companion and has been through it all with me. I worry all the time about his age. Looking at this I see your well loved dog and what a wonderful life he has had with you, not now but later you will look at these and remember happily.
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved dog,
Car xxReplyCancel
michelle & marcoSo sorry for your loss. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies. He looks like a very precious boy.ReplyCancel
Les WoodBeautiful tribute to a great wee dog… some wonderful photographs and memories. You’re right, of course – we collected hundreds of pictures of our Ghillie and even then it’s still too few. We collected ours into a photobook, together with a list of our favourite memories of him (strangely enough our very last page also had the words “a life well-lived” and a picture of his last paw-print on the back garden, his last mark on the planet).

It’s so obvious from your pictures that Morley’s was also a life well-loved.ReplyCancel
TamaraI have tears in my eyes also.

Beautiful.ReplyCancel
SweetpeaMy goodness, I am so choked up after reading this dear sweet story about Morley…thank you for sharing all these beautiful images but more importantly, for reminding me to constantly document my fur gal’s life with me – we just don’t get to have them around long enough. Morley and your pack are *lucky* to have such a good human to own!ReplyCancel
RachelNow I have tears in my eyes- what a beautiful tribute, he is such a lucky guy. The image of him plowing through the snow at full speed with his gaping mouth made me smile so much, and also the image of him running with the children is so wonderful. Reminds me that I need to take more ‘everyday’ pictures of Zero like these. And videos too, I barely have any of those.

I can tell he absolutely had a beautiful life. In those 5+ years I KNOW he experienced more love, respect, and freedom than most dogs do in 15 years.ReplyCancel
TatyanaA beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul.ReplyCancel
illonathank you, ALL, for your experienced words and deep caring. your comments mean so much as i read and re-read them. thank you.

as time goes on i hope to be able to view some of his videos … taken of him in his prime, on the trails, or killing a ball. … when i’m ready.

thank you again, all, from the bottom of my heart.ReplyCancel
Shelly AnnI follow your blog and as a fellow photographer enjoy seeing your new work. I totally feel your pain of loss. I lost my 14 yr.old Kelpie last November after spending 14 yrs with him by my side. You are so right about the photos. I have tons of prints from my film days and even more stashed away on the computer and on disc. Not a day goes by that I don’t look at one or more pictures of him. I have 3 other dogs, but with each dog you share a unique bond that no other dog can duplicate. It may be close but it is never exactly the same. I have no words of wisdom to offer, just my heartfelt sympathy. God Bless.ReplyCancel
RogA wonderful tribute to a wonderful little pup.ReplyCancel
Nicole MlakarI never never never know what to exactly say at these times because all I ever feel is deep sorrow. I am so very sorry to hear that Morley is gone. You gave him the absolute best life ever and I am 100% sure that he knew that. You are in my thoughts and I hope you find peace and joy knowing he’s in an even more amazing place.ReplyCancel
allison f.I was just checking in as I knew he was having a tough time…. I’m so very, very sorry to hear of his passing. There is no doubt in my mind he lived in heaven on earth with you and your pack. Such a sweet little man, it breaks my heart to think of him gone. Love the photos of him…. he will not be forgotten that’s for sure.ReplyCancel
MichelleWhat a beautiful, heartwarming, and inspiring tribute to Morley. The collection of photos you selected was perfect to honor his memory. I particularly love the bathtime shot. I’m so sorry for your loss.ReplyCancel
jennifer metzgerWHat a wonderful tribute and great collection of images, he certainly was lucky they allowed you to adopt him (regarding the other organizations….I know they mean well but sometimes the reasons people are refused are absurd). Have not known him or you long via Flickr but it is clear he lived the high life.

I cannot agree with you more regarding you final comments! My first dog was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and had only a few snapshots. I bought my first camera and took tons of (mostly crappy) photos for the next 9 months that I had left with him. When I got Blue, I became slightly obsessed and I don’t think I will be lacking in photographic memories!! To this day, I am saddened by the lack of photos I have of my first dog.ReplyCancel
aprilI’m so sorry for your loss… I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a pet. I hope you take comfort in the photos… it’s easy to see how very well-loved he was.ReplyCancel
MarciIllona and Family. We are so so sorry to hear about Morley’s passing. Your blog post was a beautiful tribute and a reminder that we need to take daily photos of our furry family members.ReplyCancel
JeanDear sweet Morley. We learned a lot and smiled a lot along his journey that was so openly, honestly and brilliantly shared.ReplyCancel
LizI am so sorry to hear about Morley’s passing. Your tribute was beautiful. Lots of
love and hugs from Ottawa.ReplyCancel
AshleyWhat a wonderful set of photos for Morley. I’m at work when I read this and felt like I had to hide from everyone and only face my monitor. I dont know if you remember me. I had a wirehaired pointer named Norman on flickr and you commented a couple times about needing more photos of him. I remember when I first found your photos. I’ve never been a big fan of smaller dogs but Morley stole my heart. I could see all of his heart, personality, and gusto coming through each and every photo. I am so saddened to read of his passing but I have no doubts that he had the most wonderful life he could have with you. He couldnt have been a happier dog. You gave him such a fulfilled existence. I cant think of a proper way to end this except to say that Morley touched so many of us and will live on forever in our hearts.

cant wait to meet the newb doggie 🙂ReplyCancel
Annie KinmondThank You for sharing Morley’s life and adventures with us. I think he had a fabulous life filled with love and TLC. I agree it’s important to take lots and lots of pictures of your pets. You never know when they will be gone, and it provides so much comfort to be able to look back on the years gone by…
I found after my old dogs passed that I started to remember them as the younger dogs they were at their prime. At the end it was all about meds, and trips to the vets and special diets etc… For many years they were crazy Jacks causing trouble and laughter whereever they went! It makes me smile to go back to those younger years and now I almost forget what it was like when they were old… I do know I will never forget them;)ReplyCancel
LoriWhat a beautiful tribute to Mr. Morley. I was snorting back laughter looking at his happy photos one moment and choking back a big lump in my throat the next.

Like many others have said, your photos were some of the first I found on Flickr and they have been such a great inspiration to me to take more photos of my dog and give him a healthier life (we’re a month into feeding [pre-packaged] raw- a decision I probably would never have come to had I not seen your photosets and information).

He was such a lucky little dog to be in a pack where he was so loved and respected. We hope you are healing.ReplyCancel
EmilySuch a wonderful tribute to a magnificent dog. Run free, Morley!ReplyCancel
Donald TownsendSad to hear Morley passed away. You are absolutely right. Take pictures of your dogs. I took about 100 of all the pictures I had of my 18 years old Dachshund and made them into a book. Besides that there are calendars I made over the years and a printed canvas. I’m glad I have these.ReplyCancel
Susan HumphreysI was devastated when I read that the mighty Morley had passed. His pictures were the first ones I found on flickr, and they could always guarantee a smile, even when I was feeling down. I think he had the most
wonderful life with you and Matea. I know he will be running free now
with Murph. It’s so nice though that he will never die in our hearts
because we have all your wonderful photographs of him to look back on.
Who would have thought such a little dog with a big heart would have so
many fans. God bless you Morley.ReplyCancel
DarleneWhat a truly wonderful memorial for your dear Mr. Morley. We will never forget him and will often look back with fondness through all your fantastic shots of his life with you. Great work Illona, both with keeping a record of his time and with the love you gave him.ReplyCancel
MargaretWhat a beautiful set of photos and tribute, Illona. Yes, he’s missed by many – including me! It’s hard to believe he was 9 when he moved in with you, as you had many wonderful years together. And yes, pictures, videos, pictures and more pictures! I think some people think I’m crazy with all the pics of B&H, but I know I’m not. Or not very. Crazy.:)ReplyCancel