I received a message the other day. A fellow wedding vendor, Anna-Jeannine Herman, from Something New Entertainment, contacted me and said that she had a request and hoped that I didn’t think it odd. One of her dogs, Rusty, had recently taken ill. He would get progressively worse so they had decided to forego allowing Rusty to suffer. This week they would allow Rusty to leave this world comfortably and with dignity. Anna-Jeannine asked if I wouldn’t mind photographing her family (husband Justin, son Jasper with Rusty and their other pup, Lily) one last time.
This was a request beyond important. There is no way I would not do this session. If you own a pet, you know that they become family. They are like one of our children. These pictures would be the final legacy item that they would have of Rusty and I really wanted to live up to the responsibility. Eliminate all of the fluff, and this is the main purpose of what I do.
We decided to meet at Wade Oval Park in University Heights right across from Severance Hall. It is outdoors and pet friendly. It has quickly become my go to location for great outdoor pictures in Cleveland. I was able to, finally, meet Anna-Jeannine and Justin’s son, Jasper. He is such a great little kid. And very photogenic. The session went well and I believe that we accomplished our goal. I’m so glad that I was able to help out and hope that, in a small way, it brings a little solace to the Hermans.
One might think that fancy events and fabulous weddings is what being a photographer is all about. But sometimes the most important pictures of all are simply those of a dog when it’s time for him to go home.
RIP Rusty.
