Losing your pet can be devastating for you and your family, but there are ways to make the transition easier. One of the best ways to heal from loss is to feel your pet has been memorialized. Memorializing pets is very important to us at Paws at Home. From the paw prints and fur clippings we offer at appointments to the tribute page we have on our website, we think a good life deserves a good memory.
Another great way to memorialize your pet is with photographs. Having pictures of your pet to look back on can be really impactful once they're gone. Jillian Turner understands how impactful and special the last few years of your pet's life can be and has a passion for capturing those years in photographs. "Senior pets are often set in their ways but I've found that their love for their people trumps many other distractions during sessions. The bond that older pets have with those that have cared for them their whole lives is palpable and vice versa. There's a lot of gratitude and connection coming from both the human and the pet after having spent so many years together."
Jillian, owner of Gone to the Dogs Photography, has been in the business of pet photography for just over 4 years. She has always been an animal lover though, "I actually started photographing my chickens with my first "real" camera. At the time I had a chicken rental business (sounds crazy, I know!) and I wanted to grow a social media presence with the chickens and ducks. From there it kind of evolved into taking photos of my dogs, cats, horses, and friends' pets."
Of course, it must be challenging to photograph a subject that can't speak to you but Jillian has found a way to push past that. "You never have to wonder what an animal is feeling if you pay close enough attention to their body language. A big part of my sessions is making sure the animal is comfortable. Sometimes it's a challenge, especially with fearful or anxious dogs but I'm usually able to make a connection with them and their humans to capture their true personalities and relationships."
Jillian photographs all animals in all stages of life. Some of her work that we have found most impactful is the work she does with older pets, especially in the way it can help our clients after their pets pass. "My first dog, Stella was 12 when I started really getting into pet photography and my biggest regret with her is that I don't have more "nice" photos of her. I have a few cell phone photos and some with my camera but it was before I really started to get the hang of photography. A few years ago, she went in for what I thought was a dental procedure one Friday morning and the vet called to tell me that she had a large tumor in her throat taking up most of her esophagus. By that Sunday evening, she was having a really hard time breathing and it felt like it was time to let her go. I do wish I had spent more time photographing her and being photographed WITH her, so she's been a big influence on why I'm inspired to do this work. The three dogs that are part of our family now are no strangers to having their photos taken, so I'm making sure I don't feel the same regret with them when they're no longer here."
The last few years of your pet's life can be a time when your connection is the strongest. That bond is beautifully captured by Jillian and can bring you so much peace when the time comes. If you are interested in booking a session with Jillian, you can find her website here. If you are in need of hospice care or end-of-life services please call our office at (802) 871-2329.
All photos in this article were provided by Gone to the Dogs Photography.