I met Lily on her very last day. It is never how I hope to meet new clients, yet sometimes it is the reality of this work. Lily's dad had reached out earlier in the summer and we had talked about the possibility of both a summer and a fall session, as he knew their time together was becoming limited. But as so many of us with senior dogs know all too well, those precious days can slip away faster than we are prepared for.

Rain threated but didn't transpire. We met near there home. A place familiar and comfortable. There was a quiet thread of sadness woven through our time together, and yet Lily carried herself with such grace. She gave her very best, almost as if she understood the meaning behind every click of the camera. It felt as though she knew these photographs would become treasures, reminders of the love and the life she shared with her family. Even in the midst of sorrow, she offered moments of beauty and connection, and that is what I will always remember about her.

Rest easy Lily, it was an honor to have met you.

Below is something Lily's dad wrote to me about our session.  Specifically with regards to his Instagram post titled, Lilyism #28. He always has beautiful things to say about there time together. I encourage you to follow him on Instagram.  

What I love about the photo in this entry is that I'm looking at her - smiling, grounded, here. But the poetry is that she isn't looking back. She's gazing into the distance, as if she sees something better just ahead. My heart wants to turn that into metaphor - into a story about the place that's waiting for her. A place only thirteen hours into her future. A place I can't follow, not yet.

And then there's the second image- the bookend. This time she mirrors me. Her eyes carry my sorrow. Her frisbee, the one she carried through so many days, rests gently in her mouth like a soft goodbye. I'm folded into her, breaking. And she stays.

It's unbearably beautiful. Both images. Both truths.

One of us looking forward. One of us looking back.

And in between... love, held tight.

It's bloody beautiful, overwhelming and I am so thankful you made time for us.