It isn't all pretty puppies in my studio; I also photograph abuse and neglect, and the odd surgery. This wonderful 9-year-old is named Shadow. She's been in our care a week, and can now stand on her own. I've been told that her owner is old and perhaps a bit deficient; she'll get a new home.

Poor girl. I hate to see dogs in that condition. Is she bald from mange? Or flea allergies?

You wonder how people can let animals get this way.

I suspect that some folks can barely take care of themselves in later years ... and a pet merely suffers.

That is the saddest part. When the cruelty isn't done purposefully, but due to ignorance or lack of funds

I got in 5 thoroughbreds in this sort of condition(hairless and starved) due to an older man not understanding how to care for them. He DID try, he just didn't suceed.

Most of them pulled through very well. The only one who was permanently messed up was a 3 year old. She was stunted and a problem to handle. The rest went on to live as show horses and beloved pets.

"That is the saddest part. When the cruelty isn't done purposefully, but due to ignorance or lack of funds"

I agree with this entirely. Good people do not always take good care of their pets - and sometimes it is definitely not done with malice. It is often ignorance. The other part is not necessarilly 'lack of funds,' but failure to find ways to get the funds.

I am HARDLY anything close to a millionaire - and never will be. However, whenever one of the pets needs something, I get it for them. I find a way to do it. It is part of the responsibility. That was a lesson learned the hard way.

James

BTW, Ken, thanks for posting these photos. They are very well done - it is just sad (when I got done being aggitated).

James

This dog has really perked up in the last couple of days ... we'll find her a home in a month or so. She's a sweety!

One of my dogs was very starved as a puppy - perhaps not *quite* as bad as the dog pictured, but not much better, either. You could feel every part of his pelvis, and put your fingers *between* his ribs. He had strength to walk, but only about 50 yards, then he had to be carried. It took months of feeding and working up to it before he could run just a little bit.

After lots of love (and double elbow surgery), here he is now....

I hear you. I am still amazed at the recovery Mahkayla has made. I am going to try to dig up the 'before' photographs. It makes me feel that Mahkayla came to us in surprisingly decent shape - and we thought she had been given the number....

James