We had a visit from Memphis and his sister, Raven, last week. We photographed Memphis when he was just a puppy for Kibby Park Animal Hospital and had photographed Raven for our portfolio a few years ago when we were just starting out with Tailwagger Dog Photography.
Memphis is a two-year-old Labrador, Beagle and Pit Bull mix. The Cascades Human Society originally got Memphis and his 9 brothers and sisters from the Detroit Animal Control, but Memphis became sick and went to Kibby Park Animal Hospital for treatment. We all get lucky breaks in life and this was Memphis’s lucky turn of events because he ended up under the care of the Owner/Vet of KPAH, Dr. Melissa Owings.
Dr. Owings is very active in the community and works closely with the Cascades Humane Society to help sick and hurt stray dogs and cats. She is also the Founder of ***The Barkley and Lulu Foundation, a nonprofit, that helps local pets that are in need of medical treatment but belong to families who cannot afford the treatment. Dr. Owings decided to keep Memphis after treating him and place him into an appropriate home herself. One of the staff members at KPAH, Ashlee, agreed to foster him until a forever home was found for him. Unbeknownst to her at the time – Ashlee’s huge heart soon fell in love with the little man and he was in her home to stay.
We recently told Ashlee she should wear her thrice title of Foster Fail with pride!
This past winter while we were at KPAH photographing some of their Pet of the Month winners Ashlee expressed the desire for some photographs of Memphis as an adult. Unfortunately it did not quite work out. Memphis is a perfect example of why we switched to only photographing dogs outside. He did not like the strobe, the sound of the strobe or the feel of the seamless paper that we photograph in the studio with (it is a little slippery for pups). So we ended up putting it off till it was appropriate to shoot outside.
Fortunately, this past week, we were able to make a mini-session happen before we make our move to the GrandRapids, MI area. We hadn’t seen Mr. Memphis since he was a little pup still wearing a bow tie. He is oh so grown up now – so handsome, friendly and well-behaved. It was so nice to be able to meet up with him again before we moved.
***The Barkley and LuLu Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The foundation provides grants to area residents who have pets that are in need of medical care but are unable to afford that care. The grant requests are made through the resident’s veterinarian. In some cases this care is necessary for their pet’s survival. Supporting The Barkley and LuLu Foundation is a great way to make a difference in your community. For more information on The Barkley and LuLu Foundation or to make a donation to this deserving local cause, please see their website.
