Cassie Bustamante

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Elsie’s Story: A Rescue Dog

April 1, 2016 by Cassie 24 Comments

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Last week I shared some photos I snapped of Emmy and Snowball.  What I didn’t tell you then was that I had recently been encouraged by a friend to try my hand at dog photography. (I want to note before you read further that for some reason I cannot figure out, and I have tried everything, my blog slightly distorts and pixelates my photos so they don’t appear as clear as they truly are).  I had never even thought about it, but decided why not try?  I offered out my services to friends and it was taken up by Sage, who had recently adopted Elsie. I jumped at the chance for a few reasons…. I wanted practice with a dog I had not yet met, I wanted to provide Sage with photos of her beautiful rescue dog, and because I wanted to tell Elsie’s story.  I know this isn’t my typical kind of post, but if you’ve been reading for a while, you know how important my own rescue dogs are to me, and it’s something I feel strongly about.ElsiePinIsn’t she beautiful?  Last Fall Sage and her husband happened to start following For Otis’ Sake, a local rescue.  At the time they had their old faithful Maggie, a Great Dane with a heart of gold. Maggie’s health was ailing, and they knew their time with her was limited.  They hadn’t really considered getting another dog yet, but 3 year old Elsie’s picture kept showing up in their facebook feeds.  They decided to take a chance and filled out the paperwork for her.ElsiePinThe adoption was in the process of going through when Maggie passed away, and the family took time to mourn before they officially brought Elsie home to live with them. When Elsie came to permanently be with them, she was a broken uncertain dog, having never been truly loved; and Sage was also broken, having lost a huge part of herself in Maggie.ElsiePinIn the three months they’ve  been together, they have healed each others’ hearts.  Of course Maggie will will never be replaced, but Elsie has certainly created her very own space in Sage’s heart.Elsie & SagePinLooking into Elsie’s eyes, one can see a dog so full of love.  She’s a dog who is full of confidence, and loves to play and run.  And clearly she loves to laugh.Elsie laughingPinIn the short time I was with her Tuesday evening, she tossed her ball around and entertained herself happily, tail wagging.Elsie & BallPinShe is a picture of contentment, fully aware that she is well loved.Elsie & SagePinSage has only had her for a few months, and in that short time she’s completely changed.  The shelter disclosed everything about sweet Elsie’s past that they could.  They know that she was once a puppy mill dog, used for breeding.  She bears tattooed marks inside her ears indicating which males she was bred with.ElsiePinAfter the mill she was “rescued” by an owner who abused her.  All over her body are marks which tell the story of being chained up and beaten.

When she came to Sage, she wouldn’t let anyone touch her, remaining aloof.  She had been so hurt by people in the past that she did not trust that anyone would show her kindness.IMG_1934Pin

And in just a few months with a family who loves her, walks her, feeds her and spoils her, she has come out of her shell and has an amazing lust for life.  After only a couple minutes with me, she was ready to sit in my lap and play ball with me.Elsie with ballPinThis once aloof dog now is so full of love and affection and she can’t help herself from showing it.Elsie kissing SagePinIsn’t it amazing what a little bit of love and kindness can do?  And don’t you just love happy endings?

I’ll leave you with that thought this weekend.  Just be kind, be loving, be sweet, and you can make a big difference in someone else’s life.  Happy weekend!

Oh, and I am excited to say I will be volunteering and taking photos of adoptable dogs for a local rescue!  I’m grateful for the chance to hone my skills as well as help these lovable pups find their forever homes.

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Comments

  1. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says

    April 1, 2016 at 7:20 am

    Such an amazing sweet story with your beautiful photos to proof the happy ending.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:27 pm

      i love happy endings!

      Reply
  2. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    April 1, 2016 at 7:41 am

    Why would anyone abuse that sweet pup? UGH. What soulful eyes she has and I’m so happy she found a forever home with a family that loves her. Cassie your photography is really beautiful! I love how you framed some of these shots and really captured this girl’s personality.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:26 pm

      thank you so much, lisa! i don’t know why, but so glad it all turned out well for her.

      Reply
  3. Dharma says

    April 1, 2016 at 8:54 am

    I love that you are volunteering to photograph rescues to help them get adopted. I am passionate about “adopt don’t shop” too. Thanks for sharing this sweet girl’s story and photos today!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:25 pm

      thank you so much, dharma!

      Reply
  4. Barbara says

    April 1, 2016 at 9:09 am

    Great pics and great story!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:25 pm

      thank you, barbara!

      Reply
  5. Patty says

    April 1, 2016 at 9:26 am

    This story made my day, thank you for sharing. I learned you NEVER replace a pet that you have lost but you do get to SHARE the love you once had for them which works out better in the long run. We lost 2 dogs within 6 months and I told my husband no more. We now have two rescued pit bulls that I love more than I can say. I never forgot my other two but now I love two more. Your heart is always better when you share it.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      you are so right!

      Reply
  6. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    April 1, 2016 at 10:27 am

    With so many sad stories anymore it’s so good to hear of one with a beautiful happy ending. What a sweet and lucky pup 🙂 And, I love that your taking photos of pups!!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      thank you, shelley! i love happy endings!

      Reply
  7. Rondell Konat says

    April 1, 2016 at 11:30 am

    Amazing and I love your photos too!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:23 pm

      thank you, rondell!

      Reply
  8. Julie W says

    April 1, 2016 at 11:54 am

    We adore our rescue dog…he was actually a foster failure 🙂

    We foster and volunteer for a local Labrador rescue. It’s been the best experience for our entire family, and we met our new boy when he came to us almost 18 months ago as a foster. In addition to fostering, I write bios for each dog, photograph the dogs for their web postings, and mentor new fosters and volunteers. It’s a ton of work, but I love it!

    Thank you so much for choosing to adopt/rescue, and for using your talents to tell their stories!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:22 pm

      that is so wonderful, julie!

      Reply
  9. Tina says

    April 1, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    Beautiful story, beautiful hearts! All of you…
    I can’t believe that someone would tattoo a dog ear…makes me cry to think of her past.
    Thanks for telling her story and clearly, Elsie is in a wonderful home with a family that adores her. Your photos say it all. I love that you are going to be photographing the shelter dogs…it helps so much. <3

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:21 pm

      oh i know- it’s so sad what people will do to animals, but also so lovely what we can do to save them.

      Reply
  10. Barbara Ann says

    April 3, 2016 at 11:32 am

    What a lovely story. They healed each other. And the bond is set now. And they showed you the way to your next stage in your photography with this love.
    Great photos I view on my phone .

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:20 pm

      thank you so much, barbara ann!

      Reply
  11. Edye says

    April 3, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    Rescue pets are the BEST! Elsie is such a lucky doggy <3

    Blessings,
    Edye // Gracefulcoffee

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:19 pm

      yes they really are!!!

      Reply
  12. Beth H says

    April 5, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    Those are great photos Cassie. nice job.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:08 pm

      thank you so much, beth!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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