I’m here today to talk about a very special dog !
This dog was a great family dog named Hercules .
He was a gift given on a 6 month Anniversary ….. 10 years ago .
Today he rests in peace .
I didn’t get the chance to really get to know him in his younger years , yet in his elder years , WOW … what a great dog .
Part German Sheppard , Part Lab , weighing in at over 100 pounds easy . Fur so soft …. Eyes of a gentle soul within .
I recently had the pleasure to capture his last moments a few months back . Randomly shooting , no contract , just enjoying the moment with my close friend , her family and of course Hercules !
I know exactly what it is like to drive your loved one to a place where you know he is not coming back home with you . You may feel for a while like you are missing someone , naturally because you are , your missing your beloved animal .
This has to be the worst feeling anyone ever has to go through , along with those that sit there and wait for someone to finally say they are gone !
What we never realize thou is , they are never really gone unless you believe so . The will live on within until the same day comes for yourself .
You know …. The day we put Chance down , due to illness . I felt like I lost my best friend , one who could never say the wrong thing … never treat me disrespectfully , or ever leave my side . No matter how I was feeling some how Chance managed to change that . Made sure he expressed that he knew something was wrong , good , or just wanted you to know that he knew you loved him and loved you back .
We think that because someone or a great pet leaves this world that we will never remember them or forget the things they did . Truthfully you never forget . I found it hard for the first little while … I wont dismiss that aspect , but as time went on it became easier and more knowledgeable that living ill was not really living for him . I did the right thing by letting go .
It’s funny , I will see something and sure enough I have yet again thought of him . I even say to my husband quite often …. “ Omg doesn’t that remind you of Chance ? ”
He has been without us for 6 years now and very much is he still alive with us , in spirit .
I am sure that this pet was just as important as all the children they have . He was loved by everyone that encountered him I’m sure of this .
They always live on in your heart , photographs and memories .
Physically he may not be able to look at you with those droopy adorable , I’m still your little pup eyes ….. But the soul lives on !
My deepest sympathies to your family at this time of sorrow . May time heal you and may Hercules rest in peace .
To You I wanted to have special pages for each friend who I hold dear to my heart . This friend is just as important as the rest . A person who …. well to be honest , I knew before she was even born .
This person should know who they are right from the first sentence , and if not , your silly …..lol !
This person has been trough so much , as same with I . Something we can relate to . Talk about and learn from one another . Over coming conditions and most important remaining friends .
I used to lay on her mothers belly when my colic was at its worst . As we grew in age , there were many moments where our lives brought us to situations that were pleasant and not so pleasant in our friendship .
We have had differences in the past , but yet never sit there and not make emends with one another . It might take a few weeks or even months , but some how we find our way back to being friends . Truth be told there are good reasons why we have this kind of relationship .
We both are bull headed !
No , ifs and or buts about that one . We both want it our way .
We never see the other side until it is too late , this we come to realize . Given all that , we find the way to emend our differences and move on .
I told her about my business . She was excited to hear so . Saying that if she had the cash she would be interested in a shoot . I new that the cash part would be a huge issue for her . As it was also the same for me at the time .
So I offered a deal ….. Spend the day with me and I shoot her for free . This way we kill 2 birds with that one stone . She gets what she wants , and I get what I want . Again both wanting it our own way . This time succeeding in a comprising manner .
We began … boy was she stiff . She even stated to me that she felt really nervous . So naturally what did I do . I just brought up the past , the moments that were unforgettable !
The situation that made her relax more was a situation that yet again , I was the star of the show .
Years back I had a mouth full of metal , that is what I like to call it . Others might call it having braces . None the less I went over to spend the night .
We were in the living room , my aunt in the kitchen , we were talking about something , which to this day I cant remember to be honest . Sure enough I got laughing . Okay folks , for those of you that don’t know me , when I start laughing I cant stop , I have tons of tears rolling down my face , trouble breathing , sore belly , and pain in my neck which I cant explain to this day , but you get the just of my laughing fits .
There I was , uncontrollably laughing my head off and some how I wound up stick to the carpet !
Unfortunately for me , my head hit the carpet because I rolled into the fetal position laughing so much that my braces got hooked to the carpet ……. She laughed more .
Then I kept repeating …. " No really can you help me , I’m stuck to the carpet , I’m stuck ! " She continued to laugh …… here I am lifting the carpet with my teeth hooked so tight , while she sat there and laughed , didn’t bother to get me free .
Just laugh at me .
Then my aunt came into the living room wondering what was so darn funny , then she started .
I think I was stuck to the carpet for nearly 15 min .
Finally free at last .
I had to just laugh more thou …. Because naturally I had to think of it from her view . What she was looking at ….. and then I busted a gut again .
Basically we have moments like this all the time . I have no clue why they happen only to her and I , but when they do there something you truly don’t forget .
As we continued to shoot I continued to tell story after story while she became more and more relaxed .
I called her a week later ….. Told her the package was finished and that we needed to make a time that would fit us both to drop the package off to her . She wanted them right away but I had to wait till my husband came home with the car .
She stated to me that she could see what I was talking bout while viewing the photos for the first time , her being stiff a little in the shots . On the other hand thou she loved every one of them .
I have captured her and her son many times …… never once do I now have to mention she looks stiff … all I do is bring up something really funny that will make her remember the entire situation . This way she forgets what it was I was trying to get from her for the shot !
I am sure she will tell you that I am a person who loves to tell story after story . Making sure jesters were re-enacted , just to make it that much more entertaining !
I’m glad to know that this person is a person with dreams just like the rest of us , in many hopes that her dreams do come true because she really deserves the life she wants !
May your dreams come true , your heart be full and love life just the way you have it now !
Much love to you !
Dear Friend . . . This blog is for you ! This person I speak of , is a person who will help you on whatever it is you are trying to do . Supporting your every move , being the test subject and even finding you locations .You know who you are !
I had talked to her a few months back about what I wanted to do with my life .
My dream ….. Photography
With cash being a huge obstacle for me , I was doing everything in my power to get the right gear , even if it was just body and 1 lens , as long as it was a huge jump from the camera I had been using for the past few years .
Finally ..... I had purchased my updated camera and was ready for some test subjects .
I needed someone who was adventurous , who moved fast and would do almost anything if put in the right situation . When I began telling my friend this she said to me ... " Rox , use me , take as many photos as you can when I have days off " .
I took the offer !
We began bright and early one day during the week , it was beyond sunny out , a good test run for the new camera and my style . We went all over the place , I think it took us the entire day to be honest , but I am sure to this day she loved every moment as much as I did .
Her sprit and fun ideas make for an interesting day . Never holding in what she thinks, expressing her view right out loud no matter if it is good or bad . I think she is all around a person who loves to be care free .
Never allowing anyone to judge her or what she does in life , because it is her life !
I aim to capture her over the years in ways she has yet to be captured ……. Her true personality will shine through the photographs , I’m sure of it .
To you my friend …
You’re a person who people should look up to , a person of self-esteem , a person who is blunt in all you say , telling only the truth . Giving anything you can to lend a hand .
To you , this is your page !
May our friendship last a lifetime ! 
