In the late 1800’s, men rushed to the Yukon for gold. And what would carry them there were dogs - sled dogs;  courageous and gorgeous Huskies and Malamutes. In Call of the Wild, Jack London wrote, “...men, groping in the Arctic darkness, had found a yellow metal, and because steamship and transportation companies were booming the find, thousands of men were rushing into the Northland. These men wanted dogs, and the dogs they wanted were heavy dogs, with strong muscles by which to toil, and furry coats to protect them from the frost.” And to this day, people still love these gorgeous animals, which is why they are so popular when then come into the shelter.

 “Odin” was a beautiful Husky that I recently had the privilege to photograph. He was picked up stray by an animal control officer on September 9, 2020. Even though he was underweight, he still had that attractive sled dog appeal. Odin’s owner was notified, but never came to claim him. During his twelve day stay in the shelter, Odin received over a dozen adoption applications. And on September 21, he went home with one lucky adopter.

I love to photograph the Huskies and Malamutes that come into the animal shelter. Perhaps it is that wild look of their wolf ancestry that makes them appear so strong, independant and majestic. Tall, proud, alert, confident… these traits always come through in the photograph. They make a photographer's job quite easy! Odin was no exception. 

"Petey" was a cute Pitbull dog with cropped ears that was surrendered to the animal shelter by his owner on September 18, 2020. In an amazing turn-around, he was rescued within hours of sending out a rescue aler. He was picked up by Royal Animal Refuge and didn't even need to spend one night in the shelter! He was sponsored by generous pledges to the rescue from Anne, Becky and Jason. Thanks all!  

In October of 2018 we found a spunky, but snippy Husky. We just couldn’t leave her there. I went home talked with my husband and it was a go! She was very shy, did not like any male figure. She was very vocal about certain things. She wouldn’t allow you near her to eat. So we adapted to her. She finally got to let me be by her side while she’d eat. She didn’t learn how to play with any dog toys or even a ball. 
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Here’s the good news... she finally got comfortable for me to hand feed her and let me pet her while she was eating. After a year with us she finally held her tail up In the proper stance. She was my diamond in the rough. We only had this time with her, almost 2 years. She had to be put down Monday. I don’t know what I would have done without her. She was very stubborn but man that was still the best time. Here’s a before and after. 

Thanks for everything you do. I truly want to help foster so that these babies can have a home until the get a new one.  Leann

"Rio" was a handsome Rottweiler mix that was surrendered to the animal shelter by his owner on September 14, 2020. He was a little shy at first, but once he got used to us, he became a real sweetheart. His happy video got him some quick attention and he was rescued by MLR Georgia Rescue on September 17, 2020. Anne, Becky, Jason, Nancy, Heidi and Lorraine all made donations to the rescue for saving him! 

 I know Pitbulls have gotten a bad reputation in the media, but sweet “Allie” didn’t fit the stereotype at all (as is usually the case with most prejudices). The girl was always calm, quiet and submissive in her kennel. And in the outdoor pens she turned into a real love bug, crawling up into your lap and snuggling your chest!

She was picked up stray by an animal control officer on September 8, 2020. I was afraid that being  a week of insanely high impounds, this sweet little girl wouldn’t make it because she was a black pitbull; probably the most overlooked breed and color. So she got her Furtography Session the day after she was impounded.

Although she had a spay tattoo, she didn’t have a tag or microchip to find her owner, and no owner came to look for her. Thankfully, there was a run on rescue pick-ups following the week of high intake. But was Allie going to get left behind? No! On September 15, 2020, Barkville Dog Rescue came back to the shelter and picked her up. After pulling three other dogs, they couldn’t leave her behind.
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Allie’s freedom was sponsored by donations to the rescue from Anne, Becky, Jason, nancy, Cynthia, Maria and Lorraine.  

​"Boss" was an older male Lab and Bulldog mix breed that was found running the neighborhood a Police Officer and brought to the animal shelter on September 7, 2020. His personality truly matched his happy appearance. He was always happy to see me come in to the kennel each day and get his morning walk. Not only did he love the staff, but seemed to enjoy other dogs as well. Sadly, no owner came to look for him, but he was saved by Barkville Dog Rescue on September 14, 2020! He was sponsored by donations to the rescue from Nancy, Anne, Jason and Becky. 

"Koda" was picked up by an animal control officer on September 7, 2020. When the shelter tracked down her owner through the microchip, they said they had adopted her from a friend that couldn't take care of her. They too could no longer care for her and surrendered her to the shelter. Would that be her fate, to be bounced around home to home? Thankfully, on September 11, 2020 she was adopted into a new home... hopefully for good this time! 

​“Brook” was a super-sweet stray that was picked up by an animal control officer on September 3, 2019. Although she had a lovable personality, it was quite hard to get a good photograph showing that tender personality. She had such a horrible ear infection that she was constantly shaking her head during the photo session. Thankfully, Atlanta Lab Rescue overnighted some ear medications to get her on the mend. Then, when no owner or adopters came for her, ALR came and rescued her on September 10, 2020!