Shutter Sisters

Pet Parade

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He needed rescuing and our family did too after the long illness and eventual goodbye to our other dog months before. Although Bailey could never be replaced in our hearts, we are a “pet family” and that summer without one was odd, out of step, a little too quiet. So by fall along came Sam, a six year old golden retriever who was rejected because of his intense fear of thunderstorms. Although a bit skittish, the pool brings him joy and with a sweet spirit he moved into our lives for good at just the right time.

Fast forward six years and we are rescued again as my youngest daughter prepares to go off to college. While the “empty nest” is a happy, logical new chapter for us, the transition will be made a bit easier by my older daughter’s red cat.  Casey is staying with us this year while my older daughter works and lives where she cannot have pets. The new cat and dog duo get along well and have provided much laughter.  Pets seem to sense when they are needed most, a wagging tail , easy walks with now elderly Sam, a cat’s purr, batting at favorite toys, while both loudly asking for daily treats. 

Summertime is a season of change, but also parades of many kinds.  Along with my blog friend Gayle, we have periodically organized a simple online

 “Pet Parade”, inviting everyone to post photos of their pets.

Today as it marches here at Shutter Sisters, I encourage you to post a photo of your pet, all types, shapes or sizes are welcome. Or perhaps you might post one that you dream of having or even a photo paying tribute to a pet no longer here but held close in your memory.

Let the parade begin…

Image and words courtesy of Honorary Sister/ Guest Blogger Elaine Kean (known affectionately as ELK) of Red or Gray.

Comments

  19. I love this idea! Our pets are so much a part of our family. In December we lost our 17 1/2 year old border collie mix rescue, Logan. She was my first baby and I still miss her so much. We recently raised money for the HSUS and various other animal rescues in her honor.

    http://www.firstgiving.com/rebeccalaflam

    Now we have Stella, another border collie mix rescue. She is a sweety and so much puppy right now. Thanks for the pet parade and giving me an excuse to get down in the morning dew to photograph her.

    http://cggrlogan.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/pet-parade/

  20. I have a very grouchy 9 year old cat who absolutely, no questions asked, rules my house. His name is Ducky and he’s very tempermental and truly only likes to be affectionate when he wants to be affectionate but when he wants to be…he does it in a big way. He can be a cuddler, will stand on his hind legs when he wants to be picked up and can sense when one of his humans needs love

    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4819749244_0ba504d95a_b.jpg

    and then we have a 2 year old (14 in dog years..man I’m surrounded by teenagers) Rottweiler pup who is gangly and goofy, loves to play and even though is 145 pounds, he still tries to curl up into my lap like he is still 15 pounds….even though, when he stands on his hind legs, his head is over my head, he is STILL scared to death of my the ruler of roost, my cat, Ducky…

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeenwashington/4257777578/sizes/o/

    i can get tons of photos of them seperately but seldom do I get them photographed together but one day i did…

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeenwashington/4843117329/sizes/m/

  22. Oh how fun is this..I love my furry buds…
    Our Sweet Kit Tink…was a stray..has been a joy.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cottagegardenstudios/3984550669/in/set-72157622469254395/
    Our Lucy Lu..a giveaway..after four other families…for the life of me I cannot tell you why no one wanted her!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/cottagegardenstudios/3985292416/in/set-72157622469254395/
    Our Bun…another giveaway..sweet tempered and loves my preschoolers..he is an old bunny now..turning gray..
    scroll down a few shots… http://www.flickr.com/photos/cottagegardenstudios/3985292416/in/set-72157622469254395/

    Off to see everyones critters 🙂 Sarah

  25. Like most 14 year old girls, I was certifiable horse crazy. I took care of a pregnant mare, was present and the first to place my arms around her filly. Complete love and devotion much to the dismay of my parents. It is 30 years later, we are both considerably older – but having weathered life we remain together. Here is my Moon, willing to teach the next generation of rider.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/humbirdhum/

  26. While I do not personally have a pet right now, my boyfriend has 4 cats and 1 dog (all for his daughter). But I love them all, too and Callie is my favorite. She is the alpha (read: bitch) cat and doesn’t put up with much but that is why I love her! Plus she loves to cuddle with me (unfortunately, all the time, even when it’s 90+ degrees!). I recently did a photoshoot of her and here is my favorite picture:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/12589879@N08/4670114533/

    I love taking pictures of her!

    And here is a shot of Dallas the maltese just cause he is a cutie-pie:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/12589879@N08/4810524499/

  27. Such a wonderful story…
    I have six (yes, SIX!) cats and a dog, which makes me officially a crazy cat lady. The first two cats I rescued from the pound, the other four have come to us over the years, showing up in our yard, the last two just this Spring. So far, we have made room for them all, although I think now we are at our limit. 🙂
    As part of my "spreading some sunshine" post today, I posted a photo of the cat that came to us half-dead, injured, starving, yet so incredibly gentle. Now he is beautiful.

    Here is my link:
    http://www.mrsmediocrity.com/?p=3485

  31. This is Buck. We rescued him last year. He came to us with an open wound that ran from his shoulder blades to his hip bone, unable to walk on a leash, and not knowing how to follow directions of any kind. A couple of months later he started having frequent seizures – as many as one a week. Today, he’s a healthy, happy (but neurotic) dog who is a cherished member of our family (thanks to a lot of love and work from my husband). How could you not love this face.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/monsoonaz3/3384511146/in/set-72157612222814150/

    This is Krypto – my favorite model and trusty lap dog. This boy loves to have his picture taken!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/monsoonaz3/sets/72157605374260522/

  33. Happy in the Sun
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/happydog/4803058587/in/photostream/
    Happy is 11 or 12 years old. He was a city pound rescue so we’re not sure just how old he was when we got him. He’s lost most of his sight now from cataracts but his nose still works though he’s been known to run into walls, trees, planters and us if we stop short in front of him. Actually easier to take his picture now he can’t see. Used to be when I raised the camera he came running over to see what I was eating, because 1) he’s a Lab and it’s always about the food and 2) in his world who would put anything up to your face unless you were going to eat it?

  35. so sweet and heartwarming. They are with us too short, perhaps why there is so much love packed into them.

    Our summer has been, as you say, "that summer without one was odd, out of step, a little too quiet." We had to put down our 13 year old Tubbs in April. Not sure when we’ll be ready again, but I know the time will come eventually.

    I snapped this pick of my son with Tubbs on our last day together.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/4555045257/

  39. It is so bittersweet to see your beloved pet age. Our dog Deets’ eyes were the most impressive sign of his declining health. He still looked noble standing on a desert hill; he still showed his spark while swimming in a river’s pool. But his walk was slower and his appetite weaker, and we knew it would be his last summer.

    I still get tears when I look at this album of Deets, but they truly are bittersweet tears because he was a great pet and much loved.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/annleah/3174512027/in/set-72157617145223818/

  42. We are definitely a pet family. My grandfather is a vet, so bringing home strays has been second-nature to me.

    Cats:
    Rin, our only little girl: http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlbones/4767996358/
    Piggie, the baby: http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlbones/4767360325/
    Paris, our clown: http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlbones/4767363367/

    Dogs:
    Jada: http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlbones/4771661428/
    Kyla: http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlbones/4771021835/

    And one that is no longer with us:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlbones/4767363501/

  51. I found our current "partner in crime" on Craigslist. He was a rescue dog that was found tied up in front of a shelter. We named him Truman: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/4845579358/

    My son adored him then: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/4844889137/in/set-72157624619657526/
    and now: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/4844889137/in/set-72157624619657526/

    We’ve had other great canine companions in the past who still have a place in my heart: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/4844888943/in/set-72157624619657526/

  57. Oh ELK so happy to see you here!!! your photography has been inspiring me and helping me se things in a new way when pointing my camera.