My latest session fits so well with what I want to focus on this holiday season - Giving Thanks!
I choke up almost everytime I got to West Suburban Humane Society to help them with pictures of adoptable cats and dogs for their website. I always come away with a great appreciation for these guys and the countless volunteers who come there day in and day out to care for these abandoned pets.
I love all the cats and dogs that I meet there but everytime there is that special someone who I want to smuggle back in my camera bag :). Mostly it's one of the dogs but this time I was suprised it was one dog and two cats!!! - I need a really BIG camera bag next time!
Meet an extra special Volda. She has lost one eye and the other is failing her too. She was really scared to come out but once we got the cat toy out, it was as if she got a second wind!
West Suburban is going through a major catery renovation so all the resident kitties were camped out in the office. They were everywhere - in garbage bins made into temporary housing, under filing cabinates, under desk chairs. Zinfindale was not a happy camper with all the guests around him. You see, he was returned back to the shelter recently and he wanted some peace and quiet as well as my full attention and he was not afraid to show it :)
Oh Carol!, sweet Carol! - you stole my heart away!. Carol was really afraid of all the other dogs and the loud noise at the shelter. She was barking and growling at all of us. So we had to go into her cage and take pictures from far. Poor baby! - She is the one I REALLY wanted to get back with me. She was so sweet as long as I did not get too close. But I figured that kids and a bigger dog was probably not the best for Carol right now!
Just look at those eyes and the floppy ear!
As we all go through this holiday season with our "wants" and "needs", let's also remember the shelters that seem to be working overtime around the holidays. Even if they are CLOSED to the public, their job really does not take a day off!. They always have a wishlist of supplies that they really need and remember every little bit helps!!
Being a volunteer at any organization says a lot about you are as a person. But I find this particularly true for pet shelters and food banks. There is something so very selfless about it. Especially at the pet shelter, where these animals cannot really express their gratitude in words. Instead they do by wagging tails, barks of recognition, belly flips and paw shakes that say "Thank you - I am so glad you are here and haven't forgotten me!"
I love all the cats and dogs that I meet there but everytime there is that special someone who I want to smuggle back in my camera bag :). Mostly it's one of the dogs but this time I was suprised it was one dog and two cats!!! - I need a really BIG camera bag next time!
Meet an extra special Volda. She has lost one eye and the other is failing her too. She was really scared to come out but once we got the cat toy out, it was as if she got a second wind!
Just look at those eyes and the floppy ear!