Sekani's Celebration of a Good Life Session

“The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.” wrote Konrad Lorenz.

So much of my time is spent photographing puppies, dogs when they win big awards, and pets in cute holiday set-ups. But there is another side to photography that truly shows how precious it is, documenting something so important and special that it's impossible to not feel emotional when pressing the shutter.

Sekani, a German Shepherd service dog, had been battling a rare condition that slowly stole his comfort and quality of life. Making the decision to let him go was not an act of giving up, but one of profound love by his handler, his person, his everything: Joy. This end-of-life session took place during their final week together, a sacred window of time filled with tenderness, gratitude, and quiet understanding. It was an honor to witness and document the love they shared: the kind of connection that doesn’t need words. These moments weren’t about loss alone, but about celebrating a good life - Photographing their story was a reminder that love like this never truly ends.

Thank you Joy for trusting me to be there with you the day we took these, and for letting me get to know Sekani. Sekani, you are forever a great dog, may you rest now.