A friend texted a photo and wrote, “What kind of snake is this?” That’s actually a pretty common occurrence for me, and no doubt other snake enthusiasts. But this photo threw me off. It had the keeled scales and body shape of a typical brown snake, but the colors were way off! (See the last two photos) I told him I was on my way.
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Once I had the snake in hand, I have to admit I was a tad disappointed. It wasn’t some rare black-and-white color morph, but a normal looking Dekay’s Brown Snake. I guess the white bucket with dry, gray paint threw off his phone camera’s sensor or something. While this Dekay’s was a pretty snake, and a good size for this species, it wasn’t some rare color morph I was hoping for! 

I came across this DOA Ratsnake while running on Barnett Shoals Road. 

Sometimes we’re helping more than just the dogs…

Working in animal shelters for over twenty years, I sometimes get tired of the lame excuses people have for surrendering their pets. “Moving… allergies… new baby… not trained…” I can become cynical and wonder if anyone can keep a pet for its entire life. But every once in a while, there are dogs surrendered for legitimate, and even saddening reasons.

I received a phone call from an older woman with a California caller ID. There was a bit of sorrow in her voice as she explained her situation. She was in town to help her daughter who was hospitalized and undergoing cancer treatment. Because they were gone from the home, and neither had the strength to and time to care for her, sweet “Coriline” needed a new home. She said they had tried rescues and rehoming on their own but had no luck. Their last option was the animal control shelter.

“Coriline” was brought to the animal control shelter on September 25, 2019. Her story touched my heart and so I put her first on my list for adoption photography. She was a bit scared, being away from home, but did pretty well during her photo session. 

Once I had her up on the internet, I emailed all the rescues in my contact list. Thankfully, within two days, Washington-Wilkes DAWGS Rescue came to save this sweet girl. I haven’t been in touch with Coriline’s owner, but I hope she is doing well. And I hope we helped out, even if just in a small way, by finding a new home for Coriline. 

Every year thousands of puppies are surrendered to shelters nation wide. Please be responsible and get your pets spayed and neutered. Even though they are cute and easy to find homes for when this small, many of these puppies are surrendered to shelters as they get bigger. Do your part and "don't litter"!

"Waddle" was a cute Beagle and Labrador mixed breed dog that was picked up stray by an animal control officer on September 11, 2019. He was rescued eight days later by Second Chance Habitat Rescue! He was sponsored by pledged donations to the rescue from Cindy, Adele, Jason, Becky and Anne. 

​Sherman was a tough looking boy, but an absolute sweet-heart. He was picked up stray by an animal control officer on September 9, 2019.  He was rescued by Pisgah PAWS on September 20, 2019! He was sponsored by donations to the rescue from Nancy, Valerie, Becky, Dana, Cindy, Anne, Eileen and Jason. 

Penelope was a cute kitty that didn't even spend the night in the animal shelter. She was rescued by Washington-Wilkes DAWGS Rescue the very same day she was surrendered. She was sponsored by a donation to the rescue from Carol. 

Stella was a sweet, skinny pitbull puppy picked up by an animal control officer on September 5, 2019. She had her outdoor photo session the next day and was finally rescued by WW DAWGS rescue on September 12, 2019! Her rescue was sponsored by pledged donations to the rescue from Becky, Polly, Jason and Anne. 

Windsor was a blind Cockapoo surrendered to the animal shelter by his owner on September 9, 2019. There was no doubt this sweet boy would get a new home quickly. He was adopted the following day! 

Sammie was a pitiful looking pitbull and Shar pei mix breed dog that came into the animal shelter on September 9, 2019. Since she was missing quite a bit of fur over her whole body, I knew she'd take some time to rehome. I wasted no time and took her out for her adoption photography the next morning. She was so sad and unhappy looking in her photos, I was hoping her happy butt-wiggling and tail wagging in her video would get her noticed. 

It took a bit longer than the other dogs, but she was rescued by Washington-Wilkes DAWGS Rescue on September 20, 2019! Dana, Becky, Eileen, Jason and Anne all made donations to the rescue on behalf of Sammie!  

Hardee was found at Hardees in Monroe, Georgia and turned in to the animal shelter on September 6, 2016. His photo was plastered all over the lost and found websites and social media pages but no owner ever came forward. He was rescued on September 10, 2019! He was sponsored by pledged donations to the rescue from Jason and Judy. 

I was out on a Saturday long run and found this young buck curled up on the side of the road on the outskirts of town. After I took the cell photo he jumped up to run off. His front right leg was completely broken and dangling but he managed to take off into the woods and out of sight.

"Black" was picked up by an animal control officer on August 28, 2019. The following day her owner called the shelter and said they would come claim. That sounded like good news, but when the shelter searched the address, it seems there has been a history of problems with this dog owner. 

"Black" was probably just being used as a backyard breeding dog to make some money selling her pups. It looked like she may have been pregnant yet again. She was also heartworm positive, indicating she's spent much of her short life outdoors and without basic veterinary preventatives. 

We weren't too sad when Black's owners didn't show up during the holding period and she luckily went into a good rescue for a new chance at life on September 12, 2019. Her heartworm treatment was sponsored by pledged donations from Eileen, Jason and Anne. 

"Hailey" was surrendered to the animal shelter by her owner on September 4, 2019. We had fun playing together after her photo session on September 6, 2019. She was rescued by Washington-Wilkes DAWGS Rescue with pledged donations to the rescue from Dana, Becky and Anne. 

Ace was surrendered to the animal shelter by his owner on September 4, 2019. Being about 8-months-old, he was in that "in-between" stage of puppy and adult hood. I knew if I used my typical 70-300mm lens, he'd look like an older dog. So I decided to try my 35mm lens and see if his smaller size would be better represented in the photos.  Ace was rescued just two days later by Washington-Wilkes DAWGS Rescue with pledged donations to the rescue from Cindy, Becky and Anne.