Last week, I met Carmen and Apollo for a special session with Pets for Vets and I’m so excited to share it with you!
I first heard about Pets for Vets from its founder, Clarissa Black, a few years while attending the Anthrozoology master’s program at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. I knew at once that it was an organization I wanted to be involved with. The goal of Pets for Vets is to help restore the emotional health of military veterans by pairing them with a shelter dog in need of a forever home. Dogs have a way of knowing what their person needs and giving it to them without judgment. They are sincerely, contagious in their desire to be happy and live life to the fullest!
This year I wanted to use my photography as a way to thank a very special veteran and to honor my dad’s memory. My dad was a Vietnam veteran. He rarely talked about his time in Vietnam or in the military. My dad was definitely the strong, silent type, but he told me he loved me every day. Sometimes, late at night or early in the morning, when we both couldn’t sleep and would meet in the kitchen for 3am breakfast, he would open up a little bit. I think it was too painful for him and he wanted to save me the pain he went through. He was always doing that. Which is probably why he didn’t tell me when his cancer came back. I resented him for a while because he didn’t tell me, but I now understand he was only trying to protect me and he did his best. I only hope that he did open up to someone and talk about how he was feeling because no one deserves to carry the burden of war or illness alone. It has been thirteen years since he passed and I just wish I could tell him how grateful I am that he was my dad, my superman. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't cross my mind.
Enough sadness, here is a picture of my dad and I, when I was like 10 or 11 maybe. Could my dad rock out a Canadian Tuxedo or what?!?!?!
Fast forward to last week when I had the honor to meet Carmen and her family. Carmen is a Marine and she adopted Apollo (Rottie/Mastiff mix) with the help of Pets for Vets. We met at Patapsco State Park where the fall colors and the Thomas Viaduct provided a stunning backdrop, even though the ground was a little wet and muddy. When Carmen and Apollo stepped out of her truck for our session, I knew I was going to like them. Apollo came right up to me and tried to give me a kiss. I’m a sucker for bullies, especially rotties with their different colored eyebrows that they use to melt your heart with the saddest look ever because you aren’t giving them enough attention! Apollo is the perfect match for Carmen, they both have such big, beautiful, protective personalities and have been together for a few years. The emotional connection and love between Carmen and Apollo was immediately apparent and it made my job extremely easy! Victoria, Carmen’s daughter also joined the session and I honestly had to swallow back a few tears because I got caught up in the moment.
To Carmen: Thank you for your service. Thank you to your amazing family and support network. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family for a short while. Thank you for helping me feel a little closer to my dad.
To Apollo: Thank you for being such a good boy and taking care of Carmen.
