I got the sweetest message not long ago.
These dog lovers wanted me to come and do a family session.
There was no putting it off.
There would soon be a move for their family.
Their oldest pup, Buddy, would not be subjected to the transition.
They needed to capture this chapter while they could.
Family photos were definitely in order.
They wanted a portrait,
but they also wanted to simply remember how sweet life was with him.
So I showed up and took it all in.
Of course I asked them to tell me their story.
It turns out that Buddy came along before Joe did.
He was a stray, and she rescued him.
As is so often the case, Buddy rescued her too,
her faithful companion through some really rough times.
After a move for Sue and Buddy, Joe noticed the girl next door.
I mean, she would have been hard to miss.
It really couldn't be more obvious that he's been smitten ever since.
Or that it's mutual.
There's a new dog in the house.
They adopted Killer about a year ago, and full of energy,
even while Buddy's was waning.
I got a text just two days later that Buddy passed away...
peacefully, asleep next to his mom.
He spared her the agony of the appointment with the vet.
I think their love will carry them through the loss.
Rest in peace, Buddy.
You were beautiful until the end.
You'll be loved forever.