My first dog, Nemi, was my heart dog. She came into my life out of the blue as an abandoned dog on the streets of Rome, Italy. We travelled the world together. She adapted to life in Northern Norway with the same independent joy that she tackled every adventure. She was my best dog-model, always ready to strike a pose. She lay with me when sick in bed, and then again when “nap-trapped” under my newborn baby on the sofa.
We had 7 amazing years together.
Devastatingly, out of the blue, Nemi’s health declined very fast. In a matter of days she had gone from chasing sticks and taking herself off on her favourite activity (fishing – standing in the water and catching the splashes) to lying on the floor struggling for breath. She had developed a huge tumour on her heart, which had significantly reduced her lung capacity, and her chest was filled with fluid.
As we all know, the worst part of sharing our lives with animals is making these heartbreaking decisions over their quality of life. I knew this was it, and as I said goodbye, my world changed forever.
I will never regret the many hours I used photographing Nemi. As well as learning techniques, lighting, posing and composition, it also means I have incredible wall art of her in remembrance. Images that encapsulate her personality, poses that are just “her”. If the house was on fire, it is those pictures that I would run to save!
Leo (age 13, Studio portrait, Minishoot)
Winny (Age 15, Home photoshoot in the garden)
End of life, Celebration of life, Senior photoshoots, or whatever we want to call them. These images are not for you in that moment, on that day. They are for you in the future, on the days that you need to feel your dogs happy gaze on you. You need to be reminded that you gave them the very best life you could. On the days that you wish they were with you to share that ice-cream or join you on that hike.
I know all too well how our amazing furry friends can surprise us with how long we get to be together on this Earth. Sadly I have since lost several more dogs since Nemi died in 2021. My passion for rehoming retired sled dogs meant we have welcomed many senior dogs into our home and onto our sofa. By adopting dogs aged 10+ you know that every day is a gift, and sadly some of the time we had with our “old boys” was far too short.
My children love to look at the photos we have on the walls in our home, celebrating some of the adventures we shared with the dogs in our family. They love to talk about memories they have, even as very young kids, their memories are deep and so important to them to understand why their dogs are no longer around.
Whether it is booking a shoot with me, or just taking the time to photograph your pet yourself, I ask that you don’t underestimate taking time to capture good quality photos of your pets, especially in their senior years. Take a couple of hours out of your busy schedule. Grab the leash and make it happen. I promise, you won’t ever regret it.
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To book an “End of Life” photoshoot with me, just email: katie@villfoto.no and let’s discuss putting together the perfect photoshoot for your dog, whether that is a home visit and photos of them relaxing in their favourite spot in the sunshine, or something more energetic like a little walk in the forest to honour the journey that you have been on together.
Create a legacy with wall art that will last forever.
Whiskey (age 12)
Cognac (age 12)
