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Photographer’s Eye

My Furry & Feathered Friends…

Asher, my male greyhound, stretching out in the warmth of the sun.
I adopted Asher, as I returned to the U.S., after living in Germany for five years. He is an outgoing and lovable boy.

My lovely ducklings which faithfully came to my backyard everyday.
If I did not attend to them promptly by 0700, they would start knocking, with their bills, on my patio door but in the most endearing way possible.
Hannah, my female grey, enjoying our daily walk. She is a character. Hannah possesses a quiet strength and is incredibly loyal.
This is one of five kittens, Tigger, which were left on my back porch by a stray cat I feed and loved. One day, in the morning, she brought them to me to care for. Unfortunately, I could not keep them, but they all found loving, forever homes.
Baron, my beloved son, in his bed in our home in Nuremberg, Germany. He was appropriately named for he was eloquent, handsome, majestic, and a gentle giant.

Asher, Baron, Hannah, the kittens, and the ducklings all have inspired me, taught me, and saved me at significant times in my life, and I am forever grateful for their unconditional love and trust.

Baron and I met while at a pet store in Largo, Florida. We were sadly both the products of divorce. That is what displaced us initially and unified us ultimately. We returned to Germany after he adopted me a couple of weeks later. Unfortunately, Baron passed away shortly after the divorce finalized, and before we could return to the States.

Six months later, I returned to Florida; I met my Asher at a rescue center in Sarasota. It was also befitting because we both needed saving. Asher was quite the opposite of Baron. It was Baron and I against the world whereas Asher enjoyed being with other greyhounds and found the transition to home life without another grey difficult. Que Hannah.

Asher and I saw Hannah’s picture on a website for adoption at another track near his former racing outfit. We drove up to meet her to see how we would all get along. There was an instant bond between all of us. It felt complete. We were now a family. I had my boy and girl but in the furry, four-legged variety.

God still had more blessings in store for me, Asher, Hannah, and His other creations. Upon moving into the apartment, I noticed some stray ducklings and cats. What developed throughout the two years between us was awe-inspiring and profoundly touching.

The ducklings came every day for breakfast and an early dinner. In the evening, the stray cats would appear, but one, in particular, stood out. After taking care of her for some time, I noticed she was pregnant. Due to this development, I became educated about the appropriate dietary demands for expecting cats and provided for her accordingly. It was such a powerful act of trust when she placed the newborn kittens on my porch for me to take care of because she knew, in her brilliance, her limitations. Unfortunately, she no longer lives among us. Thankfully, the kittens have all found their forever homes because of their mother’s natural, selfless act.

In summary, my furry and feathered friends have accompanied me through various stages in my life and, even though my animal babies may depart from me physically, I am grateful they will continue to remain immortalized through the potent medium of photography.

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