Portrait of a Fur Baby

Let me draw you a picture of a typical Fur Baby. 

Usually we pick them and occasionally they pick us. We bring them into our homes because we think they are cute and fuzzy, but soon they become much more than that. They become genuine members of our family. They don't ask for much, usually just food, shelter and, love. They always seem to give more than they take. They love us unconditionally and, provide judgemental free companionship and, often they provide protection as well. They are a source of comfort and, they don't care how we look or what our social status is.

I personally have two "senior" fur babies, a dog, Rocky  and, a cat Kittenbob. I have found that the older they get, the more precious they become. They have been with us for most of my 15 year old son's life and, many precious memories are tied to them.

I remember my son Micheal asking God for seven cats one night when he was saying his bedtime prayers. Shortly thereafter a little fluff ball of a kitten showed up on our doorstep. Being that it was the dead of winter, his fur made him appear much larger than he actually was. In truth he was skin and bones and had obviously been abandoned. To this day we do not know where he came from, but the mystery and my son's childlike prayer have made him the most special cat we have ever had. My son named him Bob after his Grandmother's pet bird who was also named Bob. He added Kitten to the name in order to distinguish between Bob the bird and his feline.

My dog Rocky was a gift for his older brother who is now in his twenties. I watched them grow up together. My son was always a member of the track team and used to take Rocky on many of his practice runs. Rocky has slowed down considerably and has now become my walking companion ( neither of us can keep up with my son.)

So I have a question for you, why not  consider including your pet in the family photos or alternatively why not have a portrait of just them taken? I have done both, for myself and for several of my clients. 

Fur babies are a beautiful gift, one we don't want to soon forget. Preserving their image is not for them, it's for us. It's a way to remember the joy their presence gave us. It's yet another Timeless Reflection of life, family and friendships forged and not to be forgotten.

By Jerry