04/17/2026
✨ swipe through these photos to see what can happen when you give a shelter dog a chance. ✨
I started volunteering at an animal shelter on september 2nd, 2023. Ethel was the first dog we met that day. I don’t know how long she had been at the shelter when i met her, but I know she was in rough shape. She required medicated baths, she had major kidney issues and she looked sad but she was still the sweetest girl to everyone in the room. despite the hard time she was having. I never got to see her again after that day, there were over 500 dogs at the shelter at that time so our paths didn’t get to cross again until..
March 24th, 2024. I got asked to do my first session with Ethel!
I have known Paige for such a long time, she has one of the biggest hearts of anyone i’ve ever met. She and Taylor adopted sweet Ethel and I knew from the moment I saw that Ethel found her forever home with them that her life was about to change in a big and good way. at the time, Ethel was still really struggling with her Kidneys. So, they decided they wanted to capture a few memories with her before she declined any further.
Fast forward to February 27th, 2026, Paige reached out to me again for another session. I was worried that meant things weren’t good, but to my surprise, Ethel was thriving. She was winning against her kidneys! We had so much fun that day. She was running, happy, and smiling. she looked more radiant than ever. She even got to frolic in the woods afterwards with my dog, Oliver. ( i’ll tell their story later).
The hard part with dogs that are older, had a rough life and are sick is that.. you never really know when the worst might happen.
I got a text from Paige on March 21st that Ethel had suddenly passed. I was heart broken for her and Taylor. Ethel was such a special girl, as anyone who ever met her would tell you. My life was changed just by the few hours I got to spend with her.
To Paige and Taylor, I am so sorry that you lost your sweet girl. I hope that the two of you can find peace in knowing that you changed Ethel’s whole entire world. You gave her the best two years she could have ever asked for. she was more vibrant than the sun because of you. It takes a special person to put their heart on the line for a dog that life has broken, but, somehow those dogs end up saving us even more than we save them.
To Paige and Taylor,
You two were Ethel’s whole world and I just know without a doubt that she is thinking about you guys with the biggest smile on her face waiting patiently until you can be reunited again. Ethel was the most special girl, thank you so much for sharing her with me. My life is better just for having known her. 🖤
