Fetching Images

This certainly is the time of year to give thanks for the blessings in our lives.   Relationships with family, friends, and my dogs (oh wait, they fall under the family category) are at the top of my list.  This year I am additionally thankful for having had the opportunity to photograph a wonderful friend and an ever so brief glimpse of the relationship she shared with one of her dogs, Noddy. Some of you will recognize Sonya of Sonya Sellers Photography.  She and I were inspired by a couple of colleagues in Australia to take turns photographing each other with our dogs. After all, we are always the ones taking the photos and never have enough good ones of ourselves with our loved ones.

There was another reason for our arrangement which made it even more important, more than just for fun. Noddy was sick.  He was 13, and his health had been declining for several months.  There had been multiple trips to the vet with no clear cut diagnosis. A bad bout would be followed by a period of good days or weeks…that up and down roller coaster ride with which all too many of us are all too familiar.  My husband and I were going through the same thing this time last year, so I completely understood.

Noddy came into Sonya’s life about the time he was 10 months old after being discovered basically living behind a dumpster.  20-30 pounds underweight and covered in mange, he came home with her and never left (I don’t blame him…she and her husband are pretty cool). He quickly began to thrive, and he blossomed into a very energetic and spunky fellow.  Nicknames like “The Crazy One” and “Horsey Boy” (he used to buck in circles when excited) stuck. It seemed he was always around…traveling to the beach, camping, riding in the car, stealing food off the counters, and accompanying Sonya on her errands.  Regardless of how her personal life and circumstances changed over the years, Noddy remained her constant.  Even though there may have been other dogs in the household, Noddy was the protector. It seemed their roles had been established, and an unbreakable bond had formed.

Through the years, there were times that they ran together…..

And other times, they merely walked…falling into sync with one another in order to meet Life’s demands.

So some of you may be wondering why I am posting a sad story on a holiday, and maybe you’re even a little irritated if this is bringing you down.  But my message is that being thankful doesn’t necessarily mean being thankful for things we have now or that we should only be thankful for things that bring us pleasure. Oftentimes the things that make us happiest will also create great sorrow, but it doesn’t mean that we aren’t thankful for that experience, that relationship, that part of our lives that helped to make us who we are.  Even while we may be sad over loss, it is important to fully appreciate what was and to continue to take something positive from it.

Noddy passed away a few weeks after these images were taken. And while Sonya is heartbroken, she wouldn’t take anything for having had him in her life. She says that they essentially grew up together, and there were times in her life that were certainly enriched by having her companion at her side. She is truly thankful for Noddy and will continue to benefit from all that he brought to her life.  And just look at what she and her family gave to him. If he could have told us, I am sure he would have been pretty thankful, too. I’d say his actions did the talking for him.

Thank you, Sonya, for the privilege of capturing these images for you. I am truly sorry for your loss but know that Noddy will always be with you and within you.