Monika's Doggie Rescue

I know, l know, I am terrible at writing blogs but I guess there’s no better time to get better at them is during another lockdown.

Since Jan of this year, I have been volunteering 1 day a month to go to Monika’s Doggie Rescue in Ingleside to photograph some their dogs that they have in the shelter.

Now photographing dogs in a shelter brings on a few emotions, happiness, frustration, and confusion.

I get really happy when one of the dogs comes into the mobile studio and they come straight to me, tail wagging and very excited to get pats from me. I get even more happy when Jen from Monikas tells me one of the dogs I have photographed gets adopted. It makes me feel that my photography is making a bit of a difference in helping these beautiful dogs to get a second, third and sometimes forth chance at finding their forever home.

I get confused when people give up on some of these dogs when they are very happy, and friendly dogs. I understand life is busy but some people give up on these dogs without even trying to incorporate these dogs into their life. Getting a dog or any animal for that matter is a life long decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. I fear with this pandemic and lockdowns happening right now, there is going to be an increase of dogs going to shelters. It’s all nice to have company during these lockdowns but you have to put into consideration that once these lockdowns are finished and you start heading back into the office, you have this beautiful animal that won’t be able to come with you.

I like to ask about the dogs history when I am photographing these dogs so I can get sense of their personality. Sometimes you hear some terrible stories and this is where is get frustrated or quite frankly, I get pissed off. I won’t get into any stories that I have heard but people suck and it just blows my mind how some people can treat these beautiful, loyal animals.

If you want to expand your family, please consider going to a shelter to find your future fur-baby. I have photographed well over 100 dogs and all of these dogs deserve to have a forever home.

Here are a few dogs that I have photographed at Monikas Doggie Rescue.

Kenai is a beautiful husky that I photographed for Julys magazine issue for Monika’s Doggie Rescue

Lucy is the cutest little staffy, I photographed her just last weekend for the Don’t Bully My Breed campaign for Monika’s Doggie Rescue

Heidi being a little cheeky by sticking out her tongue at me. I photographed Heidi for Junes magazine issue for Monikas Doggie Rescue

Lainey is a horse, pretending to be a dog. Just look at those ears. I photographed Lainey for Aprils magazine.