Behind the scenes with Senior Dogs Across America

A behind the scenes video for ‘Senior Dogs Across America’ has been created.  Enjoy!

Link:  http://www.browneyesgallery.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=20&p=-1&a=-1&at=0

A Life with Passion

Biscuit 13 years old Hulett, Wyoming

It is so blissful to watch a senior dog in a moment of passion.

A Senior Moment.

Cooper 15 years old New York City, New York

His energy was very low that day but his presence was fully palpable.  A senior moment.

A discovery in Natchez, Mississippi

Suzy 10 years old Natchez, Mississippi

I love it when I serendipitously discover a senior dog.  Particularly when she lives in an amazing historic house and her ‘spot’ is so utterly perfect for a photograph.

Love and Loss. Is there any other way to share a dog’s life?

Lulu, 5 years old ......... ............ ........... .......... Lulu, 15 years old

I lived with Lulu for 15 1/2 years.  An old soul I was in awe of during her life.  An inspiration for and featured in,” A Dog’s Book of Truths”.  An inspiration for “Senior Dogs Across America”.

My interest in the world of the senior dog began as my own dogs began to approach the end of their days. This was at a time when I had lived enough years to start imagining my own mortality. I entered a world of grace where bodies that had once expressed their vibrancy were now on a more fragile path.

I saw how the dog does it; how, without the human’s painful ability to project ahead and fear the inevitable, the dog simply wakes to each day as a new step in the journey. Though their steps might be more stiff and arduous, these dogs still moved through each day as themselves — themselves of that day and all the days before.

The Houston Center for Photography is giving a solo show of this work, “Senior Dogs Across America”.

Opening, May 4, 2012

Sanctuaries devoted to the Senior Dog

Sunshine, 14 years old Santa Fe, New Mexico Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary

Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary is one of the places I discovered on my journey. This Sanctuary gives all their attention to the rescue and quality of life for senior dogs.  Sunshine lives amongst all the small seniors at the sanctuary.

Family Encounter

Amy 18 years old Charlotte, North Carolina

When I met Amy, she was feeling very fragile.  Yet, she felt compelled to walk short distances.

Not what you would expect……

When I arrived in Juneau, Alaska, the Pet Nanny introduced me to so many senior dogs.  What was so startling to me was that I expected to see mostly ‘Alaskan’ type mush dogs and instead found this frail Whippet and Italian Greyhound. Forget about the rough and tumble cliche of Alaska. These dogs were cared for with so much gentleness and top vet attention.

Meg 16 years old Juneau, Alaska

Meg 16 years old and Java 14 1/2 years old Juneau, Alaska

Java 14 1/2 years old Juneau, Alaska

Extraordinary Expressions

Curley, 14 years old, Kanab, Utah

 

A great dog city – Manhattan

For almost my entire time living in NYC, I shared my city life with a dog(s).

Babe traveled with me to Paris for my fashion shoots.

Lulu in Washington Square Park

Maxie absorbing the serenity rarely seen in NY.

Manhattan is a wonderful place for a dog to be old.  Most likely the apartment is over heated in the winter, there is an elevator, flat landscape with lots of pavement, an infinite amount of  smells, and lots of people and dogs to stay engaged in life. There is also a very huge nature sanctuary called Central Park where the scariest animal is a squirrel.  You can see why this is such a great place to be old.

Calvin, 14 years old, is followed by a dog walker with innumerable dogs.

Crystal, 12 years old, enjoys Bloomingdales.

Zachary, 12 1/2 years old, shares this spare apartment in Spanish Harlem.

By day, Fritzie, 16 1/2 years old, goes to work at an antique store.

Guaton and Diabla, 10 year old siblings, enjoy Central Park.

These are my Manhattan choices.

Cooper, 15 years old, resting in Central Park at 72nd. street.

Poopie, 14 years old, is paralyzed. He has a great view.