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.
Isn’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.
The 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.
In 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.
Looking 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.
In the short time I was with her Tuesday evening, she tossed her ball around and entertained herself happily, tail wagging.
She is a picture of contentment, fully aware that she is well loved.
Sage 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.
After 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.
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.
This once aloof dog now is so full of love and affection and she can’t help herself from showing it.
Isn’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.
