Pets in Focus

07/20/2026

When Heather described Calli as a "90lb fluffy ball of insecurity and hypervigilance," I understood the assignment immediately! I started off the session completely ignoring her, which was exactly what she needed. She spent about five minutes checking out the park, decided she owned it, and we were off to the races... as long as Heather stayed within about six inches of her at all times.

Calli was adopted through Heart of Michigan Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue. She came from an Ohio Amish puppy mill where she spent her life as a breeder mom. When she aged out of breeding, she was surrendered to rescue with more than half of her life still left to live.

She had never known what it meant to just be someone's dog. I assure you, she knows now. 💜​ You can see it in the way she follows Heather everywhere, in the way she roll​s onto her back ​to ask for tummy scratches, ​and in the way she's never once barked, whined, or growled. She is a gentle giant who finally has exactly what she always deserved.

Welcome to A Life Well Loved, Calli. This one was a long time coming. 🐾

If you'd like to sponsor a DPAH resident dog or include your own pet in the book, please visit my website under "Giving Back" to learn more.

07/14/2026

One of the unexpected gifts this year has been the opportunity to photograph​ some resident​s ​at Dirty Paws Agape Haven​, and Scout ​was my first portrait session.

Scout is a 14 year old beagle/basset mix and was, without question, the easiest session I have ever done. Goofy, down for anything, and ​surprisingly unbothered by the camera. We had the best time​! 🐾

As I was leaving, Scout was one of two dogs​ watching me from the fence​. ​I got in my car and locked the doors so I wouldn't run back out and take her home.

These dogs are living out their senior years at DPAH because someone is making sure they have a safe, loving place to land. ​This year, you can be part of making sure their stories are ​always remembered.

For $95, you can sponsor a DPAH resident's two-page feature in A Life Well Loved. Four generous people have already made this possible for ​ five dogs ​so far, and I would love to see that number grow. The link is on my website under "Giving Back." 💜

07/01/2026

July’s Feature: Keyli

Keyli is 17 years old, hard of hearing, and still sniffing every corner of Glass City Dog Park like she's on an important case.

She's a Chiweenie, adopted from Maumee Valley Save A Pet back in 2009. Napping is a serious hobby, in preparation for chasing the neighbor dogs up and down the fence. She still performs tricks when you signal her by hand, because being hard of hearing has never stopped her from showing off.

Sixteen years is a long time to be someone's whole world. She's done it gracefully.
Keyli is one of 13 dogs featured in the 2026 Toledo Humane Society calendar, which celebrates rescue pets and the families they shaped, and the families that shaped them right back. 💜

06/19/2026

The annual Tecumseh pet parade is TOMORROW, and this is one of my favorite days of the year!

I've organized this event for 4 years, because our pets deserve a day where the community focuses on celebrating them. This year's costume contest prizes are some of the best yet, generously donated by Red Mill Pet Supplies, Wags to Wiskers - Tecumseh, Hollywood Feed - Ann Arbor, and Companion Animal Clinic.

I'll be there all morning offering free portraits for parade participants, because the creativity (and ridiculousness 😆) of your costumes need to be seen for years to come!

Registration at 9 AM at the corner of M-50 and S. Pearl, and donations this year will be gratefully accepted on behalf of Ricky's Pet Pantry.

If you don't have a pet, please come anyway. The parade starts at 10 AM, and someone has to cheer us on! 🐾

06/16/2026

I cannot wait to see who else is in! A fun new twist: you can sponsor a Dirty Paws Agape Haven resident to have their very own feature in the book!! 🥰

🐾✨ Spots are filling up fast to give your favorite four-legged friend a forever spot in a beautiful book!
What a sweet and thoughtful gift this would make for a family member or special friend! 💝
Please check out the site — all profits will be donated straight to us at Dirty Paws Agape Haven, and we’re so grateful! These pups eat like an entire pro football team 🏈😲😂
Bonus: If there’s a special dog at Dirty Paws you’d love to sponsor and see in the book, the author said she’d make that happen too!
Do you have a favorite who deserves their own page? Let us know and go check it out! 🐶💕

06/12/2026

I want to introduce you to Styrone, long-time client, owner of the best natural eyeliner I have ever seen, and a dog who has absolutely no idea what the last year has put his family through.

In October 2024, Styrone's mom and dad noticed he was favoring his back leg. X-rays, a ​scary visit to MSU, and an agonizing wait later, a cancer diagnosis was delivered just ​in time for Christmas. Based on how aggressively the bone density loss was progressing, they were told he would be lucky to make it another 6-12 months.

Well, Styrone is still herding his mom and dad ​as they leave for work! Still demanding the cheese tax​, and ​still only giving butt-wiggles to the people he deems worthy​, which does not include either of his parents​ but does include his photographer, for the record. ​An enormous personality in a very small dog.

​As his mom says: "To Styrone, he just has a weird walk. There's nothing else wrong. Just a lack of Chickie Nuggies.​"

At his session, he rode to Hidden Lake Gardens in the front seat while dad sat in the back. ​In spite of that, dad​ still carried him everywhere so he wouldn't get too tired. It was ​a great session​, and I am so excited to welcome Styrone to A Life Well Loved. You've more than earned it​, buddy​! 🐾

If you've been thinking about applying, ​a few spots are​ (shockingly!) still open. Check out my website under "giving back" for the application. 💜

06/01/2026

June’s Feature: Cookie 🍪

Cookie is 10 and still acts like the party just started.

Toledo Mud Hens games, ice cream at the park, keeping the neighbor dogs on their toes up and down the fence: she shows up for all of it. Every single day. Glass City Dog Park is a standing appointment.

There's something about a dog who is still that present, that enthusiastic about Tuesday morning, that makes you stop and appreciate what you've got right in front of you.

Cookie is part of this year's Toledo Humane Society calendar, which I have the honor of contributing to annually. These dogs (and the families who love them) are why this project matters to me.

05/20/2026

Some dogs are just "woven into everything."

That's exactly the phrase Alice's mom, Kate, used in her application for A Life Well Loved. Alice volunteers at Arbor Hospice as a pet visitor, where she instigates smiles every visit! During her session, she would drink her water exclusively from an adorable old lady glass dish picked up at a garage sale, because she has standards. She is smart, friendly, and (her mom's word) a little bossy.

During COVID, Alice learned Kate's entire daily routine while she worked from home, and now that routine is just her life. Office days included! That's actually when I first met Alice as a puppy, not long after COVID restrictions lifted. Seeing how she has grown into the dog she is now made this session feel like a beautiful reunion.

Welcome to A Life Well Loved, Alice. You are an absolute pleasure! 🐾

If you've been thinking about applying, spots are still open. Link in bio! 💜

05/15/2026

Some of you might recognize Ellie - she was a star of Long Story Short. Her best friend Malcolm was her silent session partner in crime last year, but this year he stole the show!

Malcolm is, it turns out, a natural. Full model energy - absolutely no notes. His sister had one job and he did it better. (Ellie, I still love you forever.)

These two come from one of the kindest, most rescue-focused families I've had the pleasure of knowing. I was introduced to them last year by a fellow photographer, and I've been grateful for that introduction ever since.

They drove from Cleveland for this session, which tells you everything you need to know about how seriously they take their dogs!

Welcome to A Life Well Loved, Ellie and Malcolm. Malcolm, THIS IS YOUR YEAR! 🐾

If you've been thinking about applying, spots are still open. Link on my website under "Giving Back." 💜

05/05/2026

I want to introduce you to Hattie, Abby, and Joe. Their family drove from Colorado to be part of A Life Well Loved. Colorado!!​

We had ​2 handlers, ​1 puppy hound who had ideas about the afternoon, ​2 dachshunds who also had their own (very different) ideas about the afternoon, direct sun, and exactly ZERO moments where anyone stood still on purpose. 😆​ It was ​A LOT. ​But ​it was also ​a wonderful memory full of laughter and smiles for all of us.

Welcome to A Life Well Loved, you three. I'm so glad you're in it!​ 🐾

If you've been thinking about applying and you're waiting for a sign - a family that drove ​in from Colorado ​says a lot. Spots are still open​! ​Check out my website under "Giving Back" to apply. 💜