Photo Blog Hound Dog Harley

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Harley

1/23/2018

Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."

Tuesday, 8:35 AM – “Harley” was a stray boy that was picked up by an animal control officer on January 10, 2018. His running buddy, a big fluffy retriever mix, got rescued fairly quickly, but Harley sat longer without attention. I had to put all else aside and get him out for a photo session to give one last effort so his life wouldn’t end in the shelter.

The saddest thing is, Harley is the first dog in the entire month of January that I’ve been able to take out for a photo shoot. My time has just been eaten up by high intake, and by another more recent job duty.

A new phenomenon has arisen because of that blessed form of communication called social media. It seems that I now spend the first 30 to 60 minutes of each day responding to calls and emails from people whose opening statements begin with “I saw on Facebook…” People that have no direct relationship with the animal involved, but were moved by a social media post. Whether it be photos of animals out in the cold, or the emotions of people that get ramped up over specific cases, I find myself needing to respond to multiple persons throughout the day.

I’m not saying that their inquiries are unimportant. In fact, I try to take time to respond to them all. The questions are legitimate; their concerns are well-founded. But the drawback is that I spend so much time responding multiple times to multiple people over the same concern, that I unintentionally neglect the much needed photographing, posting and networking of animals that are in dire straits and facing euthanasia in the shelter.

So this morning, all else aside, “Harley” went out for photos. It had to be done. Not that the emails and Facebook posts are unimportant; but that Harley could very well be euthanized if he doesn’t get the attention he deserves. Beside, getting outdoors with a dog and my lens is therapy. As I take those photos, the headache goes away and I’m doing what I’m gifted to do best!