Suzy, September 2005, day 1
Suzy... it all started because of this little dog. The photo taken shortly after I brought her home after meeting her that morning on the set of the morning television show I produced. The local shelter brought her in for a Furry Friday segment that featured adoptable animals and she was brought in along with a little labrador retriever puppy. Of course the puppy got all the attention, but there was something about this little fluffball offering up her tummy to me and looking at me with those big, brown eyes, that I knew we were meant to find each other.
It was September 2005 and the weekend of hurricane Katrina. Suzy and I snuggled on the sofa watching the news and got to know each other in comfort and safety while the devastation to animals who didn't have what she now had played out on the tv before us. I vowed that day that I would do whatever I could to help animals who had found themselves in the care of a shelter or rescue.
As an adoptee myself, I could empathize with Suzy, the best a human could with a dog. I knew what that unknown felt like and I wanted to give her the same comfort I had growing up.
L'il Suzy became my bestie, my sidekick and a huge part of our family for eight years before passing away in December 2013.
She welcomed other foster dogs into our home, giving them space, while gently showing them the ropes and routines. She happily accompanied me to schools where she patiently watched while I presented humane education courses to the students. She knew when I was done with the presentation because then she would get to say hello - sometimes being the first dog a child had any interaction with. She came to work with me and greeted the humans she considered friends with her flouncy tail up and wagging and she ignored the ones she didn't want to meet. She was a true ambassador for goodness and light and even people who didn't consider themselves 'small dog' people couldn't resist her charms.
As a final gift the year before she passed away, she was instrumental in us becoming a 'foster fail' family. Though she'd be patient and kind to other foster dogs, it wasn't until Mister Coco came into our home as a medical foster that she showed he - this little crooked, one-eyed munchkin, was welcome to stay... permanently.
Thank you l'il Suzy... I am eternally grateful for your existence and everything you shared with us.
It was September 2005 and the weekend of hurricane Katrina. Suzy and I snuggled on the sofa watching the news and got to know each other in comfort and safety while the devastation to animals who didn't have what she now had played out on the tv before us. I vowed that day that I would do whatever I could to help animals who had found themselves in the care of a shelter or rescue.
As an adoptee myself, I could empathize with Suzy, the best a human could with a dog. I knew what that unknown felt like and I wanted to give her the same comfort I had growing up.
L'il Suzy became my bestie, my sidekick and a huge part of our family for eight years before passing away in December 2013.
She welcomed other foster dogs into our home, giving them space, while gently showing them the ropes and routines. She happily accompanied me to schools where she patiently watched while I presented humane education courses to the students. She knew when I was done with the presentation because then she would get to say hello - sometimes being the first dog a child had any interaction with. She came to work with me and greeted the humans she considered friends with her flouncy tail up and wagging and she ignored the ones she didn't want to meet. She was a true ambassador for goodness and light and even people who didn't consider themselves 'small dog' people couldn't resist her charms.
As a final gift the year before she passed away, she was instrumental in us becoming a 'foster fail' family. Though she'd be patient and kind to other foster dogs, it wasn't until Mister Coco came into our home as a medical foster that she showed he - this little crooked, one-eyed munchkin, was welcome to stay... permanently.
Thank you l'il Suzy... I am eternally grateful for your existence and everything you shared with us.
the inspiration
In 2012 I self-published my first photo book. Titled "Home Away From Home: a day-in-the-life look at animals in care at BC SPCA Victoria", its aim was to show all the work that went in to helping animals at the shelter I'd been volunteering with between about 2010-2012. The dogs, cats, bunnies, rats, birds... came from all circumstances - owner surrenders, medical cases, cruelty seizures, animal dumps, hoarding situations, "exhibiting inappropriate behaviour in the home"... it goes on. They were scared, nervous, helpless, alone. And all were given another chance.
A review by my photojournalistic idol and Canadian icon, Ted Grant, said:
"CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! A SMASHING GREAT JOB! WELL DONE!!!!!!!! :-)
As with any book, I trust you have sold quite a number simply because it is wonderful! Well shot with certainly great photography all the way through it!"
- Ted Grant, Canadian Photojournalist + father of Canadian Photojournalism
Life can take us down unknown paths and after taking some time to re-focus, in September 2013 I ended up going on a 4-day, intense visit to the site of the Whistler sled dog cull to photograph the dogs that were remaining and in need of adoption, foster, or at the very least, getting off the mountain before another winter set in. Shortly after that visit, the official I Was A Sled Dog, project was born and I've been working on that ever since.
I am eternally grateful to the rescues who allow me into their worlds to photograph the animals in their care so I can help share their stories.
Copies of my books are still available either through me or online and 100% of the proceeds of my advocacy books were (and still are) donated to help animals in the care of shelters and rescues.
A review by my photojournalistic idol and Canadian icon, Ted Grant, said:
"CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! A SMASHING GREAT JOB! WELL DONE!!!!!!!! :-)
As with any book, I trust you have sold quite a number simply because it is wonderful! Well shot with certainly great photography all the way through it!"
- Ted Grant, Canadian Photojournalist + father of Canadian Photojournalism
Life can take us down unknown paths and after taking some time to re-focus, in September 2013 I ended up going on a 4-day, intense visit to the site of the Whistler sled dog cull to photograph the dogs that were remaining and in need of adoption, foster, or at the very least, getting off the mountain before another winter set in. Shortly after that visit, the official I Was A Sled Dog, project was born and I've been working on that ever since.
I am eternally grateful to the rescues who allow me into their worlds to photograph the animals in their care so I can help share their stories.
Copies of my books are still available either through me or online and 100% of the proceeds of my advocacy books were (and still are) donated to help animals in the care of shelters and rescues.