This is one of those sessions that just tugs at my heart a little more than normal. And I can’t quite figure out why even now! Debbie called me last November to say that the love her and her hubby’s life, Griffin, had received a not so great diagnosis. We quickly booked a date on the calendar to shoot as soon as possible. We met at the arboretum on UNC Chapel Hill’s campus. The grass wasn’t so green, but there was this amazing fall tree that provided the perfect spot for some amazing photos.
Griffin is 13 years old. As I was re-reading Debbie and Robert’s client form and the story of how they found Griffin, I just started bawling! I cried for nearly the entire 30 minute drive to Chapel Hill. I could just picture this little pup waiting at the end of the row in the shelter waiting…and waiting…and waiting…until they walked in! Thankfully I managed to pull it together for the shoot. Because I always aim to make any and every session memorable and fun!
Here is how mom Debbie tells the story: “Griffin is a shelter rescue. He was found wandering on the highway. He was caged in the last kennel in the last building of the old Orange County Animal Shelter. We just knew he was the one by the way he looked at us and bent down and rolled halfway over onto one shoulder while looking up as if to say puh-leeze take me home. After looking for ‘our best friend’ for a year and a half, we had finally found THE ONE!”
So many parts of that quick little story shot straight through my heart. He was waiting for them. They had waited a year and a half for him! Oh fate. We don’t always know why things happen when they do, but man…God certainly gets timing just right when many of us are probably just about to give up.
Thankfully Robert and Debbie never gave up looking for “the one” and they and Griffin are forever grateful.
* I just checked in with Debbie and she says Griffin’s vet has been really amazed at how well he’s been doing.
