WENDY NESBITT
  • home
  • pets
    • in-studio sessions
    • on-location sessions
    • before I go pet sessions
    • mini sessions
  • day in the life
  • commissions
  • photo essays
    • fridays at fleming
    • flora + fauna
    • highways and horses
    • the dollhouse
    • curios + collections >
      • bella's treasures
      • little boozies
      • play
      • tools of a hobby-ist dentist
  • advocacy
    • i was a sled dog project
    • home away from home
    • #the100dayproject
    • support my advocacy
  • contact
  • about
    • misubeco studio
  • blog
  • home
  • pets
    • in-studio sessions
    • on-location sessions
    • before I go pet sessions
    • mini sessions
  • day in the life
  • commissions
  • photo essays
    • fridays at fleming
    • flora + fauna
    • highways and horses
    • the dollhouse
    • curios + collections >
      • bella's treasures
      • little boozies
      • play
      • tools of a hobby-ist dentist
  • advocacy
    • i was a sled dog project
    • home away from home
    • #the100dayproject
    • support my advocacy
  • contact
  • about
    • misubeco studio
  • blog
WENDY NESBITT

Sleddie Swim: Jeff's Pool Party

7/19/2014

 
Picture
[PART NINE of a series chronicling the re-homing of Whistler sled tour dogs.]

I first met Jeff in September 2013 when I was up at the Whistler Sled Dog Co. kennels. He was known as Joffre back then and he was one of the shier of the 43 dogs at the kennels at that time. (Hard to believe as he's the brother of Chichi.. yes, THE Chichi. The dog who's been nicknamed "the happiest dog in the world"... the dog who I may have to devote a whole book to because she loves to stick her nose in my camera lens). But back to Jeff... he would seem interested in things, but was always on the periphery of the group… watching the humans and other dogs. And if he wasn't interested in what was happening, he'd go and find a cool hole to lay down in to escape the 40+ degree heat that had settled in the three days I was there.

With the searing heat, it was hard to think of winter on its way, but that was our focus at the time - it was about networking and working on finding spots in shelters and foster homes. That was the priority. There's no doubt some of these pups were very good at what they did as working dogs. But their work in addition to winters spent outside along with getting older, had taken it's toll on their bodies. Having lived outside 24/7, 365 days a year, these dogs weren't housetrained, they didn't know not to take food from counters, they hadn't gone for walks on leashes, heard oven doors open, kettles whistle, been exposed to city traffic, and perhaps were most confused as to why their food and water was on the ground, and not on top of their bedroom. 

So never in my wildest dreams, could I have pictured this moment. Ten months after those days at the kennel, here I was at an indoor swimming pool in North Saanich, witnessing one of the shiest dogs I'd met, actually relax... in an indoor pool of all places. 

Jeff's life couldn't be more different now than it was back then. Now it's all about him. Trips to the pool to help with exercise and arthritis, play dates with old friends and dogs he's comfortable around, and a community of both humans and dogs rallying behind him and his family offering support, guidance, sharing tales, and just being there. 

The great thing is... it's not just for Jeff. Although some of the dogs have adjusted quite easily into life in a home ... for others it's been more challenging. But these guys are a part of a unique and passionate community who helps each other. I will never forget hearing, more than once, how unadoptable people said some of the retired sled dogs were. But what I've witnessed over the last two and half years of photo documenting about 100 of these dogs in a variety of situations - at the WSDC kennels, being transported in the truck, in shelters, on walks, hikes, and beach romps. As well as eating, drinking, sleeping, post-pee & poop kicking, playing fetch, being nervous, happy, depressed, excited, shy, smiling, winking, lip-licking, at the vet, being vaccinated, being surrendered, being adopted, a first trip to the ocean, a first dip in a pool, reuniting with other sleddies and making new friends - is their resiliency and ability to keep us humans from ever doubting what they can achieve. 

Philosopher George Santayana wrote "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" and I believe in this case it rings true. To ensure the tragedy that these dogs were witness to never happens again, we have to remember it, to whatever extent we can tolerate. But the future of each of these dogs is unwritten and their adopted families are dedicated to helping new chapters of their life stories unfold. 
 
***
Thank you Jill + Jeff: for organizing the party, Erin, Niv + Siku and Deb, Question + Daffy for letting me tag along on another adventure. And to Melanie Mosher of Black Dog White Dog for coaching and hosting Jeff's Pool Party.
I haven't captioned any of the photos this time because I don't think they need it. You will see a collection of feelings - from nervousness to relaxation and from fear to joy from both the humans and the dogs  - but ultimately I hope you will see  people helping dogs... and dogs helping people.


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    #100dayproject
    #100daysofdiscarded
    Art
    Art Show
    Bands/music
    Books
    Dayinthelife
    Documentary
    Dogs
    Farmlife
    Fridaysatfleming
    Garden
    Horses
    #instagram
    #iwasasleddog
    Nature
    People
    Places
    Portraits
    Rescue
    Retired Sled Dogs
    Still Life

    Archives
    all images © wendy nesbitt

    October 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

Images and content on this website and corresponding social media can not be used without prior written consent from the artist.
Website and social media content is copyright protected. © Wendy Nesbitt  // All rights reserved.