The 13 Project

Chances are, if you visit my blog, check out my website, or follow me on Facebook, you are an animal lover. If you are an animal lover, chances are, you also get inundated with information about dogs on death row, overcrowding in shelters, abuse cases, poor practices in factory farms, etc. Sometimes it gets to be so overwhelming. It can get to the point where you feel hopeless. It can feel like you - one little person - can't make a difference. Trust me, I know the feeling.

The 13 Project was started by the wonderful Serena at the blog Pretty Fluffy. She wants to prove that each individual CAN make a difference. And together, we can make a HUGE impact.

The 13 Project's initiative is to perform 13 acts of kindness towards animals before 2013 (or as many as you can). This movement is spreading like wildfire and proves that every little thing you do can help the beloved animals here in our world. To read more about this amazing cause, please check out all of the details at the Pretty Fluffy blog.

I invite you to start a list for yourself and see what you can get accomplished by the end of the year. You may surprise yourself! Perhaps you can donate goods or services to your local shelter, have your own fundraiser, start volunteering, write a politician about policies in your area...the list could go on and on!

So here is my list of 13 acts of kindness to perform before 2013:

1) Continue photographing adoptable dogs from the Humane Society of Charlotte.

2) Do a super-special photo shoot for one adoptable dog and share the story and images on my blog and Facebook until he/she gets adopted.

3) Donate a Gift Certificate to a fundraiser benefiting a local shelter.

4) Donate photography to a fundraising event benefiting a local rescue.

5) Promote the local spay/neuter clinic and low-cost vaccination clinic on Facebook.

6) Write a blog post on veganism.

7) Coach someone down the path of vegetarianism/veganism.

8) Continue clearing out my home of toxic cleaners, toiletries, and personal products and boycott items that may have been tested on animals and/or are not good for the environment.

9) Share the story of a puppy mill dog.

10) Learn about the candidates running for Commissioner of Agriculture and vote for one that supports legislation to stop the horrible puppy mill situation in North Carolina.

11) Share a local rescue's Wish List.

12) Collect my pets' old towels, toys, and beds to donate to a local rescue.

13) Spread the word about the 13 Project

So what will be on your list? Let me know in the comments below. Let's inspire one-another! <3

Adoptables!

I got to meet some amazing dogs yesterday morning at the Humane Society of Charlotte. They were all so fabulous, warmed right up to me, and loved to play! Check out these cuties - you never know if one could be your soulmate! For more information about your favorites, please visit the Humane Society or check out their website here. First we have Carmella. She is a sweet older lady with a wonderful and chill personality...Ashley stole my heart! I love her scruffy hair and unbelievable eyes! She is too cute when she plays!Cream is like most pit mixes - a huge cuddle bear with a heart to match!Dollar. Wow! This cutie is SOOOOOO sweet. She should be scooped up fast with her stunning looks and friendly demeanor.Polka loves to smile and has a great, bubbly personality. I mean, look at this face...If you love the way cats play, you will love Flora. She had me laughing our whole visit together. She would pounce and play with the ball just like a kitten would! So cute!!!Kellie is another sweetie. She loved to be next to people and is definitely going to be a cuddle-bear!Last but not least, we have O'Charlie. I'm not sure what I can write that isn't told in this picture. He is so adorable and loving and would be so happy to make your house his home... I want to give a huge thanks to my friend, Casey, for getting up at 5:30 in the morning to help me. Fingers crossed she found a new member of her family yesterday!!!

Adoptables!

I am simply blown away! As of me writing this, out of the 45 pets that I have photographed in the short time I have been volunteering at the Humane Society of Charlotte, only 5 are still available at the shelter! That means 40 of the cats and dogs have found furever homes! I hope that streak continues as I welcome a new group of adoptees to the blog. Thank you to everyone that shares these images on Facebook (this should take you to the FB album if you want to share) and via email. That's what really gets these animals in front of potential new fur-parents. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

For more information about your favorites, please contact the Humane Society of Charlotte.For those that follow me on Facebook or Instagram know that I fell in love with little Max today. I saw him from a mile away - I just have a soft spot for black lab mix puppies. They all remind me of my Sadie. Max has the biggest legs and paws and should grow up to be a nice-sized boy. I wish I got to do a proper shoot with him as I only got this images as I was leaving. Well, maybe not. I really might have taken him home.

On a related note, yes, there are tons of puppies up at the Humane Society. However, they are so much easier to adopt out so my time is best spent on the older pups that may not get the attention they deserve. I really would like to spend a day photographing the puppies though. Hmmm...I might have to arrange that just for the sake of cuteness! :)

Adoptables!

Every day I volunteer at the Humane Society of Charlotte, things just get better and better. Want to know why? Because I'm introduced to more and more dogs and cats that I've never meet. Why is that a good thing? Well, because that means that these wonderful pets are being adopted, making room for other cats and dogs to be saved. Here is a new batch of sweethearts looking for their forever homes. For more information about your favorites, visit the Humane Society in Charlotte or check out their website!I love Stripe's little puppy nose!Chime is the winner of the doggy head tilt for the visit!Kanga's kangaroo outtake is on the right. Such a goofball but I love it!All of Sampson's images were outtakes! Haha! This jovial boy has the floppiest jowls and ears! :) And CATS!!! Yay!! I go to photograph all of the adult kitties. Love 'em!!!And Enchantress wins best head tilt for the kitty division...Thanks to everyone that has shared these images. It really helps them find homes faster. XX!

Adoptables!

Are you looking for a new pup? If so, PLEASE consider adoption! These doggies are so sweet and would love someone like you to cuddle up with! These pups are all available at the Humane Society of Charlotte. Please check out their website for the latest adoption news. Samantha and Charlie would LOVE to find a home together! They are best buds. <3

Adoptables!

I have to admit that it has been WAY too long since I volunteered last - like around 2 years. At the time, I was just starting out my pet photography business and I had plenty of extra time on my hands. Well, as things grew, that spare time became smaller and smaller and, as my schedule tightened, I had to unfortunately let the volunteering go. Fast forward to now, I'm busier than ever but I knew I needed to get some of my priorities in line. Photographing adoptable dogs has always been something extremely important to me. A good picture goes such a long way in the chances that these pups will get adopted. Hopefully a nice image will catch someone's eye while browsing Facebook or the internet. For example, take a look at the picture from my Sadie's Petfinder listing HERE. If I didn't see her at an adoption event first, I could have easily overlooked her dark and scary picture and I wouldn't have my heart dog.

Anyway, I am so glad to now be volunteering with the Humane Society of Charlotte. They are an awesome group of individuals and I can't wait to help more and more of their dogs get adopted. I hope to make it over there 3 or 4 times a month. Until then, here are some of their wonderful pups that have been there the longest...

Shakira had such an adorable head tilt that I had to include 2 pics...

If any of these pups catch your eye, please contact the Humane Society of Charlotte for more information!

Bark For Life - Charlotte

Wow! Sunday's crowd was HUGE for the first Bark For Life walk held in NoDa! The Dog Bar was kind enough to host the event and even fenced in their parking lot so the dogs could roam off-leash. The crowds literally lined the street to get in to this doggy hotspot and to do what they could to aid in the fight against cancer. Despite the midday sun and the steamy temperatures, the participants rallied and raised almost $22,000! Woohoo! Before the walk, the pups got to hang out, go swimming, visit vendor booths and meet other 4-legged walkers. And, of course, pose for the camera!Any public place is cool in my book if a dog can be found in Superman pose on the floor!The walkers rest-up right before the 1-mile stroll...This year's Bark For Life walk was lead by Natalie, a 5-year-old Great Dane available for adoption from the Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love.And tons of cute pooches followed!Doggy contests followed the walk including the newest addition to the lineup...a pie licking contest!Whose face was licked cleanest?!?After a wonderful day in the sun, there's nothing like soaking your feet in the pool!If your pup isn’t featured here, it’s not because he isn’t photogenic! Find more adorable 4-leggers here: http://mcgrawphotography.zenfolio.com. A portion of the proceeds from sales of prints will go to the American Cancer Society.

Thank you to everyone that came out to support the fight against cancer! I can't wait to see you again next year!

Bark For Life - Lake Norman

I'm not going to lie. When I got home Saturday after Bark For Life, I cried. I cried for the dogs, I cried for their parents, I cried for the survivors, I cried for the unlucky ones, I cried for anyone having to deal with Cancer. Hearing the stories of loss, struggle, and survival really hit me hard when I walked in my door and was welcomed home by my two dogs, Eva and Sadie. I couldn't help but look at them and think to myself, "What if those stories were my story? What if one of my dogs got Cancer?" I was scared, sad, frustrated, and heartbroken. After about a minute, those feelings turned around. I thought about what each Bark For Life event accomplishes and what each event stands for. A wonderful team of volunteers, survivors, and good samaritans organize and attend these events around the country to raise money to fight the "C" word we have all grown to hate. Maybe we can all take hold of the Hope that's in Pandora's Box? Hope that very soon there will be better medicines. Hope that there will be a cure. Hope that Cancer will no longer exist. Hope that no one - 4-legged or human - has to deal with the effects of Cancer.

This year, the Bark For Life event in Lake Norman/Birkdale raised nearly $25,000! The large crowd enjoyed beautiful weather, a relaxing walk, great vendors, and fun raffles and contests. I got to meet some incredible dogs and dedicated parents who are all ready to keep Hope alive! I want to give a huge THANK YOU to all that attended, volunteered, and supported this event. Thanks to you, hopefully I will never have to look at Eva and Sadie again and wonder, "What if?"

Mrs. Lake Norman and the *awesome* Chair of the event get things started!The large crowd gets ready for the walk and they are lead by Jax, the event's Canine Ambassador. This sweet man is available for adoption through Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love...And the walk begins!!!Some pups need a helping hand or a quick break in the cool grass.Sometimes, they just can't do it all on their own. Isn't that what this event is really about?After the walk, everyone gathered around to select Best Trick (being frisked by a real cop!) and Best Kiss...slurp!Many thanks to all of the lovable dogs (and people) that came out for such a great cause. You are all rock stars and heroes!

If your pup isn't featured here, it's not because he isn't photogenic! Find more adorable 4-leggers here: http://mcgrawphotography.zenfolio.com. A portion of the proceeds from sales of prints will go to the American Cancer Society.

Did you miss Lake Norman's Bark For Life event or would you like to participate in another walk? The American Cancer Society is holding a Charlotte Bark For Life event this Sunday April 28th at the Dog Bar in NoDa. For more information, visit the website: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=41705. Thank you again to everyone associated with these wonderful events!