A few years ago, I was called to evaluate a Rottie girl that had been found wandering through one of the Hunters Creek neighborhoods where we live. The family that found her had several smaller dogs and though Kayla got along with all of them, the single mom with a teenage daughter didn't feel they could give Kayla the time she needed. They called me to help them put her into Rescue and get her adopted.
When I got out of the car in front of the house where Kayla was playing in the front yard, she ran over to me, leaned against me and when I knelt to say "hi" she placed her head on my shoulder, looked me in the eyes and said "hi, I'm Kayla, how do you like me so far?" I talked with the owner, Krystena, and her daughter and it was clear they loved Kayla but just had too much on their plates to give her the home they felt she needed. I also talked with two of the neighbors that came out to meet me and they told me that Kayla was the nicest dog they had ever met and that they wanted Krystena to keep her.
I photographed Kayla and we placed her into Rescue. Two months later, I had a call that someone wanted to meet Kayla to adopt her so I called Krystena and she tearfully told me that they had decided to keep Kayla and were so sorry for all our trouble. I was thrilled and told her that since we thought Kayla had the perfect home, I could not be happier.
Two weeks ago, Krystena contacted me to say that Kayla had been diagnosed with osteocarcoma of the left rear leg. It was right around the time that our own Marion Louise was getting ready to leave us so I gave them all the advice I could find and made an appointment to take a formal picture of Kayla for them to remember her by. With schedules and Kayla's increasing inability to move around, we've not been able to get together for that session so yesterday, I took one of the original pictures that I took of Kayla and placed her into a field of daisies that Rowdy and I had found on one of our walks. The result is a portrait of a dog with great dignity facing life with determination and love.
I sent the proof to Krystena and received a teary phone call from her and her daughter telling me it was perfect and they wanted a huge print. Then they let me talk to Kayla and tell her I love her. I'll visit her today but I'm happy that I've been able to capture her essence and give these people the gift they so richly deserve -- an image of the dog whose life they saved.
Jim
