biscuit's space | The blog of photographer Katherine Carver

Dec 16

Interview with Ty Foster, Photographer

Interview with Ty Foster, Photographer

Ty Foster is a Connecticut born photographer who formerly worked in the insurance industry, and later changed directions and begun photographing anything he could, finally settling on animals as his subject. Ty Foster’s publisher recently reached out to me concerning Ty Foster’s recent book, LICK, comprising photographs of dogs in mid lick! You can view a behind the scenes video in conjunction with the book, LICK, here. A selection of Ty Foster’s work is displayed below. Please visit Ty Foster’s website to view more of his work.

KATHERINE CARVER: What were your beginnings as a photographer and when did you realize it would be your chosen form of expression?

TY FOSTER: I wasn’t a kid who grew up with a camera. I photographed my friends mountain biking and doing jumps and things, but I never took it seriously. It wasn’t until I studied abroad in England that I really started to engage and take photography more seriously. From then on, every year I started photographing more, reading more, refining my images until I decided to quit my full-time job and pursued it as a career.

KATHERINE CARVER: Did you study art formally?

TY FOSTER: I graduated with a degree in marketing and a minor in graphic design; however, I never took any photography courses and related courses that involved photography.

KATHERINE CARVER: Can you describe the time when you first realized that creating photographs was absolutely something that you had to do?

TY FOSTER: I think it was something that evolved out of a set of certain circumstances. I worked at a job I did not enjoy for three years and, during that time, photography was my escape and it just evolved into something I really became passionate about.

KATHERINE CARVER: What was the impetus that inspired you to begin photographing dogs?

TY FOSTER: I am not really sure what it was that actually triggered me into wanting to focus on photographing animals. I’ve always been really passionate about animals and animal welfare so I am sure that had something to do with it.

KATHERINE CARVER: How has your dog inspired your work?

TY FOSTER: I don’t think there is an animal photographer or dog photographer alive that hasn’t had an animal or a dog himself/herself. I think everyone has a muse that’s close to him or her that has inspired him or her at some point. All the animals in my life have certainly been inspirations, and fortunately enough they’re all extremely patient. Tech, our Rhodesian Ridgeback, has actually learned to count the shutter clicks and when he’s heard about seven to eight clicks, he comes trotting over for a treat.

KATHERINE CARVER: Where did the idea come from for your work and new book entitled, LICK?

TY FOSTER: It wasn’t planned at all. I was working on a shoot for a client at the time and I grabbed some peanut butter as a last resort to keep the dog in the studio a little bit longer. As soon as we gave him peanut butter, he wouldn’t stop licking and we got these wonderful, ridiculous portraits. I knew immediately that I had to try this with different breeds and different ages to see what reactions and emotions we could capture.

KATHERINE CARVER: How did your new book, LICK, get published?

TY FOSTER: The LICK series went viral, so to speak, and various blogs picked it up and, before I knew it, LICK spread all over the internet. Jen Bilik, the founder of Knock Knock, sent me an email and asked if I would be interested in making a book. Obviously, I was extremely excited and honored to be asked!

KATHERINE CARVER: What does “being creative,” mean to you?

TY FOSTER: Getting excited about the work you are putting out into the world. With all aspects of life, there are those who do things to impress others, and then there are those who do things to impress themselves. Thinking of ideas and watching them grow from a sketch or doodle on a piece of paper to a print is such a rewarding process.

KATHERINE CARVER: What is the most challenging aspect of being a photographer?

TY FOSTER: I think staying creative and inspired. Actually taking a photograph represents such a small percentage being a photographer. There are many different things to juggle from finances, to marketing, to the day-to-day tasks. It’s a real challenge juggling all the responsibilities of running an actual business.

KATHERINE CARVER: What inspires you to keep going and what keeps you motivated?

TY FOSTER: Being passionate about what you do, regardless of what you do in life, even if it is something you absolutely love to do, there are always going to be good days and bad. I believe understanding what your true interests in life are, and then weaving them into a career will certainly help keep you motivated.

KATHERINE CARVER: What kind of patterns, rituals, and routines do you have while making your work?

TY FOSTER: When ideas pop into my head I’ll jot them down and let my subconscious crunch on it for a while. Then, I’ll think of another part of the idea and soon I’ll have a fully formed idea. Not everything I write down initially turns into an idea either and I think that’s the exciting part, determining which idea(s) I want to run with.

KATHERINE CARVER: What are you working on now?

TY FOSTER: Currently, I am working on a sequel to LICK and I have a few non-dog related projects that are still in the idea phase.

KATHERINE CARVER: What artists inspire your work?

TY FOSTER: Oh, this is a tough one, especially since I pull from so many different sources. Nick Brandt’s work is phenomenal, Ralph Steadman, Zaria Forman, Elliott Erwitt, Dan Winters … the list could go on and on.

KATHERINE CARVER: What advice can you provide for aspiring photographers and artists?

TY FOSTER: Be true to yourself and photograph things that excite you! There are many people already photographing what’s in style or what’s trending now, and there will always be people who are mimicking the latest trends. Find your style or your niche and be true to it and push yourself. Also, find a mentor or someone who look up to and reach out to them. A mentor is priceless.

KATHERINE CARVER: How can people view and purchase your recent book, LICK?

TY FOSTER: The LICK book is available online at both Amazon and through the publisher.

*All images contained in this interview are courtesy of Ty Foster.

You can read additional interviews here.

Dec 14

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New Practice: Inspiration Days

“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” -Mary Oliver

I have somewhat recently started a new practice that I have coined, “inspiration days.” What is an “inspiration day,” you might ask? An “inspiration day” is a day I clear once a month where I do not have anything on my agenda and I am free to do what I would like for a day, non-work related, which helps create space thereby sparking inspiration and creativity. For example, on “inspiration days” I have gone to the museum, a really long walk, and read some inspiring books, uninterrupted. Each “inspiration day” provide a new experience, which helps spark creativity and new ideas. The “inspiration days” come in really handy when I am trying to work through a problem that I cannot solve. Usually, most of the time, out of nowhere, it seems, the answer presents itself, after taking a step away. Therefore, in an effort to finish the final leg of my long-term photography project, I have implemented “inspiration days” to help keep inspiration and the creative ideas flowing. No matter what, I believe, “inspiration days” can be fruitful for anyone. We all need to take a step back every now and then, right?

Happy Monday!

Dec 11

Victory: Photography Project — 78

Beginning in January 2014, I started a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog this year! My goal is to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories, while capturing moments of our everyday.

“The more people I meet, the more I love my dog.” -Mahatma Gandhi

It is almost the end of the year, and I thought that it would be neat to take a look back and see how far Victory has come physically and emotionally since adopting her in October 2013. The images below are shown in chronological order starting in the lower right corner and ending in the upper left corner. All photographs were taken during 2015. Victory has really blossomed, and we feel so fortunate that she is part of our little family! You can also view a year in review of Victory for 2014 here.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

Dec 9

Tips: Welcoming and preparing for your new rescue pup!

My friend is adopting a rescue puppy (and hopefully, our Biscuit and Victory had something to do with this) and she asked me to put a list of questions together that she needed to follow-up with the rescue along with a list of items to purchase to get ready for her rescue puppy. I thought I would share this information on the blog, and I hope that you find it helpful!

Below are questions to ask the rescue organization prior to taking home your rescue puppy; and a list of items one should have ready at home for the arrival of his/her new rescue puppy!

*Please note that every dog is different; and these lists, shown below, are not exhaustive.

Questions to ask the rescue organization:

Vet Records: Ask to receive copies of all vet records. This way, when you go to your first appointment with your vet, you will have the applicable records to share your rescue puppy’s medical history, which also helps determine any outstanding treatment, vaccinations, etc., that needs to be addressed.

Microchip: Ask whether the rescue puppy comes microchipped. If not, your vet can complete this simple procedure at your rescue puppy’s first appointment for a nominal fee.

Tags: Make sure that the rescue provides appropriate tags evidencing vaccinations.

Food and Feedings: Inquire about the type of food; amount of food; the number and typical times of daily feedings. This way, you can have the puppy’s food on hand and you can then decide to keep the puppy on his/her current food or wean him/her off the food. It is also good to know his/her feeding schedule to help with transitioning your rescue puppy to your new home.

House Broken or Potty Training: Ask whether the dog is house broken or is still in the process of potty training so that you have potty pads ready, a dog walker, etc., if needed.

Ask what you need to bring when you pick up your new rescue puppy: It is good to ask the rescue organization what you need to bring with you when pick up your rescue puppy. This will facilitate a smooth pick up for everyone.

Getting Ready for your new rescue puppy:

Vet Appointment: Make a vet appointment within a week or so of the arrival of your rescue puppy. Most rescue organizations require that you see a vet within a specific period of time. Be sure to do your due diligence and check with friends and family, including checking reviews such as Yelp, Google reviews, etc. You want a vet to work with whom you feel comfortable with his/her knowledge, abilities, and bedside manner, etc. It is also important that the vet interacts well with your rescue puppy. Always trust your instincts. If something feels off, then it is always best to follow one’s intuition and seek another vet for a better fit. Finding a vet is a similar process to finding a doctor for a human.

License: Make sure you research your local jurisdiction, i.e., city, town, county, etc., and have the paper work printed out and ready to complete simultaneously with the arrival of your rescue puppy. Most jurisdictions require a yearly pet license for a nominal fee.

I.D. Tag: It is prudent to have an identification tag for your rescue puppy that includes the puppy’s name; address; and telephone number. This is for safe measure in addition to the microchipping. We like these I.D. Tags.

Collar: It is good to have a collar on hand if you know your rescue puppy’s collar size; If not, you can measure and purchase a collar soon after your rescue puppy arrives. We like the Premier martingale collar.

Leash: It is good to get a leash. We avoid the retractable leashes. We like this leash, which has held up well.

Monthly Flea and Tick/Monthly Heartworm Prevention: If you know your dog’s weight, you can order flea and tick prevention; and when you go to the vet, you can get a script for heartworm prevention.

Food: It is good to have a small bag of the rescue puppy’s current food. Then, you can talk to your vet and decide whether another dog food is more appropriate and, if so, you can wean your rescue puppy off of his/her current food. A high quality diet is always recommended. We like Fromm wet and dry dog food.

Treats: It is good to have treats on hand. Your rescue puppy is going through a transition, and having treats will help him/her feel more comfortable for being rewarded for the smallest things to help build confidence. Plus, most dogs like treats! We like these training treats.

Feeder: Depending upon your rescue puppy’s size, it is good to get a feeder that is the right height for your rescue puppy so he/she is not bending over too far to eat. We like this feeder and this custom feeder mat.

Toothpaste/Toothbrush: Brushing your rescue puppy’s teeth daily helps greatly to promote good oral hygiene. We like this toothpaste and this toothbrush.

Brush/Comb: It is a good idea to brush/comb your rescue puppy’s fur at least once a week, preventing matted fur. We like this brush and this comb.

Baby Powder: Baby powder can come in handy to freshen up your rescue puppy, especially behind the ears, especially if he/she has longer fur. We like this baby powder.

Shampoo/Conditioner: If you decide to bathe your rescue puppy versus going to the groomer, it is a good idea to have dog shampoo and conditioner on hand for bathing. We really like this shampoo and this conditioner. If your dog has skin issues, it is best to speak to the vet for the appropriate shampoo and conditioner, etc.

Nail Trimming: If you are going to trim your dog’s nails on a monthly basis, this is a good nail trimmer to use. Otherwise, if you do not feel comfortable trimming your rescue puppy’s nails, you can have a groomer or your vet’s office take care of your rescue puppy’s nail trimming.

Crate: Depending upon your rescue puppy, he/she might need a crate. Some dogs need them, while others do not. We really like this crate.

Dog Bed: Most dogs like to lay on a dog bed, especially if it is not too hot. We like these dog beds, as they are very durable and comfortable. We also love this monogrammed dog pillow.

Toys/Chew Toys: Most dogs like to have their own toys, especially if your rescue puppy is a chewer! We really like these toys.

Apparel: Depending upon your rescue puppy and the season, it is a good idea for your dog’s comfort to have a rain coat, sweater, fleece, or jacket. We really like these coats.

Poop and Pee Pads: Some rescue puppies are some house broken just yet. These poop and pee pads come in handy for those accidents in the house.

Poop Bags: All dogs need poop bags! We really like these poop bags.

Hopefully this list helps you get started in welcoming and getting your rescue puppy settled into his/her furever home!

Happy Wednesday!

Dec 7

The Power of Constraint

I recently listened to a podcast discussing constraint in relation to creativity, and it got me thinking about how time and resources, for example, impact creation. This quote by Twyla Tharp sums it up perfectly –“Whom the gods wish to destroy, they give unlimited resources.”

I have often assumed that constraints are limiting, such as having a limited amount of time and limited resources to pursue a project, interest, etc. However, Whitney Johnson in her new book, Disrupt Yourself, shares how constraints, when it comes to creativity and innovation, can oftentimes help us. Interestingly, the research shows that too much time can diminish a person’s ability to complete a project. It also turns out that the fastest growing startups are not those that received funding; the ones that are successful were actually constrained by financial resources. I found this information very insightful.

We often believe that (non-dire) constraints are a negative, when in fact they are helpful to achieving success. I have seen this in my own life. Some of the most well-received blog posts are those that I wrote in the quickest amount of time. Sometimes, having less time stops one from perfectionistic tendencies and over-thinking too much. I am currently working on a long-term project, and I wish that I had more time to work on it. Per the findings above, perhaps if I had endless amounts of time, I would be less effective in completing my project. However, I have consciously and deliberately set aside time each week to work on my project through its completion. Otherwise, it is too easy for time to slip by. I find that making slower incremental progress is much better than making no progress on an endeavor.

I really love this quote by Whitney Johnson, “For the risk averse who are trying to convince themselves to try something new, the trick is not to focus on what will be gained by venturing forth, but to instead focus on what might be lost by standing still.”

Happy Monday!

Dec 4

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Victory: Photography Project — 77

While we were in Michigan over Thanksgiving, we met Chrissy, a relative of Victory who is also a survivor of the horrible hoarding situation that Victory also survived. (Here is what Chrissy looked like prior to adoption). Not only are Chrissy and Victory physically similar, their personalities and mannerisms are also similar! Unlike Victory, Chrissy had a litter of puppies shortly after being rescued, and then Chrissy went to a special foster home for socialization. Similar to Victory, upon being rescued, Chrissy was extremely timid, shy, malnourished, and fearful. However, with time, love, and patience, Chrissy has blossomed, both physically and emotionally, and she now has a wonderful furever home, including an older sheltie sister!

It was neat to meet another pup who was also rescued from the same hoarding situation. Wouldn’t it be neat to have a sheltie reunion with all of the sheltie survivors and their pups who were adopted?! If I lived closer to the tri-state area, it would be much easier to coordinate!

It is my hope that Biscuit, Victory, and Chrissy encourage others to consider dog rescue. There are so many wonderful animals who are in need of furever homes.

Happy Friday! We hope that you have a great weekend! This weekend I hope to make more progress on my photography project; we hope to get caught up at home from being away; and possibly take Victory to see Santa, a new annual tradition!

Dec 2

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Interview with Jennifer Williams, Cuddle Clones

Interview with Jennifer Williams, Cuddle Clones

Recently, I had the opportunity and pleasure of interviewing Jennifer Williams, Founder and CEO (Chief Cloning Officer) of Cuddle Clones, a startup company that creates soft and adorable plush versions of furry family members along with other customized pet products. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Business from the University of Puget Sound and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Louisville. Jennifer spent ten years consulting before utilizing her entrepreneurial skills and founding her company, Cuddle Clones. Jennifer lives with her husband, Danny, and two fur children, Izzy and Annie. A selection of Jennifer’s company’s work is shown below. Please visit Cuddle Clones’ website to learn more!

KATHERINE CARVER: When did you start your company creating custom Cuddle Clones?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: Cuddle Clones really started gaining some traction while I was enrolled in the entrepreneurship MBA program at the University of Louisville in 2009. In the program, we had to present our top two business ideas, and Cuddle Clones was one of mine. My team really liked the idea so we proceeded to the next steps of performing an industry analysis and creating a formal business plan. During the rest of the program, we presented at several business plan competitions and won approximately $50,000 in funding. After school ended, my one remaining business partner and I spent two years refining our product to the standard of what we had envisioned. We finally launched the Cuddle Clones official website in May 2013. The plush Cuddle Clone was our flagship product but we now also offer 3D-printed sandstone figurines and ornaments of your pet, as well as several memorial products.

KATHERINE CARVER: What inspired you to begin your company creating custom Cuddle Clones?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: I had a harlequin Great Dane named Rufus, who was white with very unique black patches all over and two different colored eyes. I remember one day thinking that I could never find a plush animal like him on the shelf in a store and thought it would be neat to have a custom stuffed animal version of him.

KATHERINE CARVER: How did you practically go about starting your company creating Cuddle Clones?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: Starting the company was a pretty difficult process and still is! We tried for a few years to have prototypes made that were of the quality and cuteness that we had in our heads. We had several prototypes made in the USA and China. The ones in the USA were actually pretty bad in quality and also cost a fortune. We had some good prototypes from companies in China but none of the companies wanted to be our manufacturer because their business model involves making thousands of units of the same plush animal, not “one-of-a-kind.” We considered all of our options, and finally decided that we would have to start our own workshop. We chose China because of the availability of materials, the talent of the plush designers, and the fact that we could produce Cuddle Clones hopefully at a price that was not prohibitive to the customers. Even if we had found a good manufacturer in the USA, the retail price would have been cost prohibitive, over $1,000 for a Cuddle Clone.

KATHERINE CARVER: What is the process from start to finish, including the time involved, to create a custom Cuddle Clone?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: First, a customer places an order on our website. We ask some questions about their pet, including name, species, breed, and approximate weight. Then, they upload up to 10 photographs of their pet. We recommend all angles and face close-ups, but we try to work with whatever the customer has. Then it’s on to the selection and customization options. The main customization option is selecting the Cuddle Clone’s position – for a dog, they can choose standing, sitting or lying down. Ear position, tail position, and whether the mouth is closed or open with a tongue are additional customization options. The customer can provide us with any additional details and characteristics about their pet that we are to incorporate into his/her Cuddle Clone. Once an order is placed, we process the information and follow-up with the customer if anything is missing or we need additional information. The order information is translated into Chinese for the designers and airbrushers. Every Cuddle Clone is made from scratch by hand. A plush designer starts by creating the custom pattern for the particular pet. Cutting and sewing are the next steps. A handwork person and an airbrusher put finishing touches on the plush replica. We have different quality control procedures in place at different points of the process. Once approved, a Cuddle Clone is either shipped directly to the customer from our workshop or to us first in Louisville, Kentucky and then back out to the customer.

KATHERINE CARVER: How do you find and hire designers and artists to create Cuddle Clones?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: This was one of the early challenges. I was told that “plush left the USA in the 80’s,” so when we were originally looking for plush designers in the USA, we only found a few and they wanted at least $1,000 for just one pattern. We were able to work with our great network in China to hire our first few plush designers there and now we have 16 plush designers. A plush designer usually gains experience through an apprenticeship – there are rarely schools for plush design. We have regular training programs in place so that our less experienced designers can learn from our folks that have been making plush designs for years.

KATHERINE CARVER: Why do most people have a customized Cuddle Clone made?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: I think the number one reason people buy a Cuddle Clone is to have a huggable way to remember a loved pet that may or may not have gone over the rainbow bridge. Whether the person is purchasing one for themselves or a friend, Cuddle Clones provide some comfort to a pet owner who has lost a beloved member of the family. There are several other reasons why people get a Cuddle Clone made – the full, somewhat amusing list, can be found here. Among the more serious reasons are students heading off to college that have to leave the family pet behind or military personnel who are deployed and want their pet to hold while they are away.

KATHERINE CARVER: What is the most rewarding part of your job as an entrepreneur and CEO of your Cuddle Clone business?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: I do love that I get to look at cute pets all day! I really like that I have built Cuddle Clones from scratch and that we seem to be doing a-ok so far. Our customers are very emotional and while we cannot satisfy everyone, there is nothing better than to receive that email or social media post with pictures of a customer’s Cuddle Clone thanking us for what we do and how we have helped them. From day one of forming our company, we have donated a portion of our sales to charities as well – we like helping individual pets on IndieGoGo as well as different nonprofit organizations throughout the world. You can read about all of our donations here.

KATHERINE CARVER: What does “being creative,” mean to you?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: For me, it’s having a vision and being able to get the right people to execute that vision. I was an actuary in my former career, and for those who don’t know what that is, it’s heavy in math and light in creativity. I always had that entrepreneurial bug and probably have about 30 business ideas. Cuddle Clones was definitely one of the ideas that I thought about the most. While I myself am not a true ‘artist.’ I can envision a business or product that I believe will be successful in the marketplace, even when others think I am crazy.

KATHERINE CARVER: What inspires you to keep going and what keeps you motivated?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: I believe that we are nowhere near hitting our potential of what Cuddle Clones can become. Not many people know about us, so we definitely want to increase awareness. We would like to be known as the place to go, not only for great unique products but a place to go for a community around the rainbow bridge and when your pet passes away. My employees keep me going for sure – they work extremely hard every day to make this happen and I need to be there for them. My own dog, Izzy, keeps me motivated for sure as well!

KATHERINE CARVER: What future projects are you working on with Cuddle Clones?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: We have several projects in the pipeline for Cuddle Clones. We are always on the lookout for new, unique products to add to our mix. We have seen growth in our custom sandstone figurines and ornaments products. We have also been recently promoting our plush creation product, plush replacement product and golf club covers. We introduced two products this week – wood-burned memorials and memorial brass urns. All of these items can be found on our products page here. We have a full section of our website in the works focusing on the rainbow bridge. We also are working on establishing some bigger partnerships in 2016.

KATHERINE CARVER: How can people learn more about Cuddle Clones?

JENNIFER WILLIAMS: Interested folks can visit our website to learn more about placing an order or our other products. Our photo gallery is definitely a fun place to go to see all the beloved pets that we have created. Our blog features different pets each week as well as nonprofit organizations to which we’ve donated and individual pets that we have helped. We also are pretty active on our social media pages, including Facebook and Instagram. We regularly run contests and promotions through our email list and our social media. In fact, all Biscuit’s Space readers can use this coupon code, KCARVER, to receive 15% off their purchase, through December 31, 2015!

*All images contained in this interview are courtesy of Jennifer Williams.

You can read additional interviews here.

Nov 30

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Around Here: November

Well, it is difficult to believe that we are well into fall on our way to winter and on our way to the end of this year. Below are some items that have occurred around here in November!

-continuing to work steadily on my long-term photography project, and I am nearly finished drafting the draft copy for the project! I continue to edit images for the second portion of the project. I hope to be done sometime later in 2016, nearly 4 years after beginning this project. It will be very gratifying to finish!

-continue to prepare filings with the U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress.

-I got a new computer, which I desperately needed!

-my parents came to visit us.

-I was quite sick in the early part of the month, and we consequently had to reschedule our trip to North Carolina. We plan to go in the early spring along with our fur girl!

-burning fall-scented candles all over the house!

-enjoyed cooler evenings and walks together outside!

-enjoyed time together on the deck, while the weather was still nice.

-enjoying date nights with Doug!

-enjoying my yoga class!

-I am behind on my reading this month.

-started the first season of Flesh and Bone.

-started the second season of Orphan Black.

-giving our fur girl her monthly bath — Victory is getting better about bath time, but it still takes both Doug and I to bathe Victory! Victory’s fur feels so smooth and silky after her bath and brush out! You can see below how much her beautiful fur coat is coming in! She looks so regal!

-we had a great Thanksgiving, and it was nice to see family!

-My sister announced at Thanksgiving that they are having a baby boy!

-while in Michigan over Thanksgiving, we met Chrissy, a relative of our fur girl, who came from the same horrible hoarding situation as Victory. A photograph of the fur girls are shown below. I will share more soon on our visit!

-we finished and received our Pawliday card and card packaging, which are almost ready to be sent out!

-started Christmas shopping!

-started decorating the house for Christmas!

-continuing to make more progress on our ever-growing to do list!

Happy Monday!

Nov 25

Why We Love Being ‘Puppy Parents!’

“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?” ―Mary Oliver, Dog Songs

Doug and I love being ‘puppy parents!’ We are always showered with unconditional love from our fur girl, Victory, everyday! Victory is fully integrated into our lives, and we are fully integrated into her life. We all cannot imagine a life without the other. Victory is always there, with us, and just her presence makes everything better and more complete. She is blossoming into a wonderful and more confident fur girl! I cannot imagine not going to bed and waking up with Victory’s kisses in the morning as she lays splayed out on our pillows above one of our heads sleeping in with us. She often wakes Doug up with constant kisses on his face as early as 3:00 a.m., but he does not mind. It is Victory’s way of showing her love and affection. I cannot imagine a morning where Victory is not sitting on our bed while we get ready in the morning, patiently waiting for her breakfast. We know that our fur girl knows that she no longer has to worry about living in a terrible hoarding situation, like the one she came from. She knows that she is safe forever and that she lives like a little princess! We know that we are better for having a furry family member in our lives. Our hearts and outlook have grown ten-fold. Doug and I try never to take Victory or anything, for that matter, for granted. We try to take it all in and savor it, as every moment is fleeting. We are grateful.

Happy Wednesday! If all goes as planned over Thanksgiving, our fur girl is going to have a family reunion with Chrissy, another survivor of the same horrible hoarding situation that Victory also lived in prior to being rescued. You can see their resemblance here! Stay tuned. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels!