New Journeys~

Life is about connections. Everyone you meet, you probably met through someone else. This story is no different. I met Sierra's mom when I was in the 4th grade. Sierra's grandfather, Buddy ( I always loved his name!) was a preacher at a small church down the street from my house. We ate many a meal with them, worshipped with them, Sierra's mom and aunt rode my mom's school bus...........see? Relationships-those are the glue of life. When Sierra's family came to the beach in South Carolina 2 years ago, I had dinner with them, and met Sierra, and her brother and sister for the first time. Then the next summer I met her boyfriend (at the time) Rob. Well..........all that to say, now they are ENGAGED! I had the privilege to meet them on a beautiful beach a few weeks ago for their engagement session.

Rob and Sierra met in a Sky Bar at Auburn. Rob's best friend was dating her roommate, and Rob would drive down from Columbus on the weekends to hang out. And the rest as they say, is history! Rob is in the Army, and has been deployed twice; he is now in command at the hospital on Fort Benning. Sierra is a neuroscience nurse at Emory hospital in Atlanta GA. They will be married in April 2016, and I couldn't be more thrilled for them! They are sweet, funny, goofy, smart and will go far in their marriage as well as their careers! Best Wishes you two!! Thank you for allowing me to share these special moments with you!!

A Sailor and her best friend~

It's really funny when you try to go back and remember how you met some people. I met this young lady through her mom, who I met through some friends I did an engagement shoot for, who I met through some dog rescue folks..........Wow-isn't God amazing?? When I moved to Charleston SC 2 years ago from GA, I never knew He would bring so many wonderful people into my life.

Alexis is in the Navy, currently serving on the USS Ronald Reagan, and doesn't have much longer in the service. Her first love is her horse Sydney. I had the opportunity to photograph them together when she was home a while back. The connection and love between them was very evident. After not having seen each other for months on end, it seemed just like yesterday.  People who don't think animals have and show emotion, are so missing out on life. This horse was VERY glad to see her girl, and this girl was VERY glad to see her equine love.  Thank you Lexi and Sydney for allowing me to share this reunion!

Zaxby-HERO to his humans~

Even the gutter can't conquer the GREATNESS!

From the gutter, a HERO emerges~

I first heard about this little miracle of a dog 2 years ago with the rest of my rescue friends in the Atlanta area. Soon to be named after one of my favorite restaurants, no one had any way of knowing how much perseverance resided in the little shell of a pup. He never gave up, so how could humans give up on him? They didn't, and he repaid his heroes with love abounding. Listen to his forever mama on how he's changed her, and saved her~

My Hero- Zaxby aka Chicken 

I love dogs. I am no stranger to the "crazy dog lady" nickname. I have 3 dogs that I love to distraction and my home is always full of foster dogs that I could not say no to. I have devoted my life to helping dogs in need and I am a better person for it. People ask if I have a favorite but I think it is unfair to say I have a favorite dog - rather I love each of them in a different way - Finn is my solid good boy, Mabel my kitty cat dog and then there is Chicken.

There are no words to describe the impact he has had on my life and my heart. This little black pocket pittie, pulled from a gutter, half dead with a deformed leg had every reason to give up, to shut down and hate the world that treated him so cruelly. Here are his initial shelter pictures.

 But that was never an option for him. All of his pictures from his rescue show a smiling boy, raw in his need to be loved and accepted. Fast forward two years and he still wakes up every single day with a smile on his face and his tail wagging. He loves and lives with his entire heart and soul. He absolutely bursts with joy and happiness over the littlest things we take for granted everyday - food, love, a home and walks in the sunshine.

Since adopting Zaxby two years ago this December, I have been thrown some major curveballs in life. I lost my job of 12 years and am suffering from a long term painful health condition. It would have been easy to give up , hide in bed and give into the demons of depression - except Chicken would not let that happen. He reminds me every day that no matter how bad things are, no matter what we made to endure in life, no matter how our pasts seem to try to drag us down some days - you can endure and you can still love without abandon and you can survive any challenge. You can beat the odds and come out on top with a smile on your face. For this - and many more reasons - Zaxby the Chicken Wing Dog is my hero and my best friend."

The HERO is Big Daddy~

I don't even really remember where, or when I met her (sorry girl! Lol!), but it really just seems like God knew I needed her, so He slipped her into my life. She is funny, amazing, talented, and fiercely loyal.  And even though she is a Hero to me, this story isn't really about HER being a Hero, but it's about HER Hero.  She has a dog named Big Daddy, and she is Lauren Janis of Big Daddy Biscuits.......see where this is going? I'll let her tell you the rest. Suffice it to say, the Biggest Daddy of them all, in Heaven knows who and what we need, and when. His timing is always perfect.

Lauren writes about her Hero, Big Daddy~

"After Big Daddy was rescued off the street in Atlanta, Big Daddy (Pete at the time) was brought to me by my friend Vicki.  She told me she found the perfect dog for me to foster (ha ha) and he needed lots of love since my home was being  burglarized .  When he came to live with me, I immediately changed his name to Big Daddy knowing that he was not going to leave my house.  Not long after, my pops passed away and I was laid off from my job.  I was have a meaningful conversation with my niece and nephew, Shana and Kenny (8 year old twins).  I asked them what I should do with my life.  They looked at one another for a few seconds ( you could see the wheels tuning!), they told me that I should make dog biscuits.  I thought about it, then asked them the question, "If I were to do this, what should I call it?"  We played around for a few minutes and came up with Big Daddy Biscuits.

I started making them in my home, right there, with Big Daddy by my side to support me, I started Big Daddy Biscuits!  He is almost completely blind (from toxoplasmosis), but has an incredible spirit and never stops going. I can't imagine my life without him, he is my best friend, and always there when I need a sweet doggie kiss, he is funny, and sure keeps me in line!  He is my professional taste tester :-) 

 Who would have thought that the actions of one person, bringing this sweet dog into my life when I did not know it is what I needed, would have led to all of this?  I truly feel without the experience of saving Big Daddy, and him helping me heal from a very rough spot in my life, none of this would have ever happened.  He is my Hero, and saved me as much as I saved him."

The HERO Portrait Series ~ H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue and Tracey Sawyer

Earlier in the summer, shortly after I moved to Charleston, I was fortunate enough to meet a group of people who rescue horses. Right-Horses. I guess I didn't give too much thought before I met them to the fact that horses (like any other animal) are subject to abuse, neglect, and encounter problems through no fault of their own. But they do-and on a grand scale sometimes. I got invited to the farm to take some pictures, and meet some of the horses and the volunteers. I met Tracey Sawyer, the president of the rescue. To hear her speak about her vision, and what this work  means to her might bring your tears-I know it did me. Pictured here with Pistol, a recent rescue, she tells us her story, and why this labor of love is her HERO.

Tracey writes~

"It was a beautiful winter morning when, God himself impressed upon me a vision so 

clear, so concise. This would be my purpose, my calling, if you will. Without question 

or suitable experience, but with vigor, excitement and a new found zeal for life, I 

accepted his instruction. With His guidance and a lot of faith, H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue 

was born that spring of 2010. While the concept and the lives impacted, both human 

and equine, have frequently moved me to tears, I have been equally as touched to learn 

from these animals how precious life is and what living is truly about. Thus, H.O.P.E. 

Acres Rescue is my “Hero”. 

It only took looking into the eyes of one battered soul to feel just how important 

acceptance is. Having experienced one’s rehabilitation, another’s struggle and the 

release of one last breath, I have been shown just how important love is and how 

forgiveness revives us. I have personally watched their spirits renew, been witness to 

an act of trust and acceptance from a tethered spirit and felt an extension of love from a 

once lonely soul. Each life has touched mine in one way or many. Because of each of 

them, I will always strive to accept, to love, to forgive, to hold dear, to let go, to give 

with passion, and pursue with purpose. Thank you for renewing my spirit and igniting 

passion into my life. I am eternally grateful for your friendship and your love. My heart 

will call home to your memory.  May you always find love, respect and acceptance as 

you gallop across pastures of green."

UPDATE-On December 23, 2013 Pistol crossed the Rainbow Bridge to run free and healthy with all the other animals. The many years of abuse on his body had finally taken their toll and were irreversible.  It was heartbreaking for all involved, but everything that could be done, had been done. RIP sweet boy-you taught us all so much ~

The HERO Portrait Series~ Jessica and Kona

Often times our Heroes are not in human form-as is the case again with our second Hero in the Portrait series~

Meet Kona~and her owner Jessica. Jessica is a young woman who has done much for animals-dogs in particular. And I couldn't let the story of how Kona-one special dog-changed her life. 

Jessica writes-

"When most people talk about their heroes you normally hear about the people in their life or people that are famous that inspire them. Though when you ask someone from the community I am around, you'll quickly see that the Hero in my life is not so unusual. My hero is my dog Kona. Yes, I am part of the "crazy dog people" community; and I am becoming a big part of the rescue community. Kona is not my Hero because of any kind of situations she's overcome in her life, but she's my Hero because of what she has opened my eyes to, taught me and showed other people. Before I had Kona, I had no idea how discriminated against this breed was. I quickly learned of people's emotions toward "pit bull" type dogs, and I was appalled! It's not okay either, my dog is the furthest thing from aggressive. She may not get along well with all other dogs, but she loves people, and is by far the greatest gift In my life. Having her has definitely changed my life for the better. She has taught me about discrimination, and to accept things we may not understand. This applies to everything in my life; people, stereotypes, beliefs, sexual preferences, and animals. Discrimination is everywhere, and it should not be so common, but unfortunately it is. Kona is my hero because she shows me that a stereotype is not always accurate, that discrimination hurts so many, and challenges people everyday to be able to live their lives in peace. There are many of us who fight these battles everyday and so many that are the cause. If we have something we are passionate about it gives us a reason to fight and speak out but it should also give us an open mind to help with others struggles. We can help by showing support for other peoples life choices to help end the stereotypes and discrimination.

I've had KONA in my home since she was 6 weeks old and been with her every day since she was 3 days old. She is my everything from being like my child, to my best friend and my Hero. If it weren't for her I wouldn't be where or who I am today; I wouldn't have found my passion. I'm beyond thankful for her, she is my Hero!"