This summer I started #projectgooddog as a way to honor dogs that would soon no longer be with us. 

If you follow me on social media you know our family has had it's share of canine losses.  In the last 3 years we lost 13 year old Jax, 10 year old Tanner, our senior dog Oliver who we have no idea how old he was, and 6 year old Elroy.  Of those, we had to make the very difficult choice to end their pain with 3 of them.  We where lucky enough to be by their side with all of them though. 

I never understood grief for an animal until we had to go through it ourselves.  In some ways, it is worse than for humans as these furry friends are part of our lives all day, every day.   From the time we wake up to the time we go to bed...they are right by our sides.  

Part of our healing process has involved a memory wall in our living room.  All of our "boys" have a special portrait.  Sadly though, many of the people I meet realized that all they had was cell phone photos of their beloved dogs and often this adds to the pain of the loss. 

#projectgooddog provides a free portrait session for families who know they will have to say goodbye soon.  All I ask in return is that a donation is made to a local dog rescue.  My rescue of choice is Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue.

So today, the last day of 2018 and the first year of this project, I would like to honor the dogs who are no longer with us.  Arya, Hunter, Kasey, Mocha, Moose, Oliver (my own dog) and Sheba.  A special honorary mention to Cody who I have photographed for years but because he passed so suddenly, he is included.  And to Dave and Penny who are still with us and fighting a brave fight...we love you! 

When we said goodbye to Elroy on May 2nd this year, my husband hugged him tight and kept repeating "you are a good dog...you are a good dog".  Elroy had problems.  Problems no one could fix.  I hope Elroy and all of my boys are running pain free over the rainbow bridge with the rest of these good dogs.