Dog Art Today

Tag: rescue dogs

  • Charlotte Dumas: Retrieved 9/11 Rescue Dogs

     

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    Moxie by Charlotte Dumas

    In the days following the attacks on 9/11 nearly 100 search and rescue dogs were deployed by FEMA to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  Ten years later, Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas tracked down the surviving fifteen, who who now live in retirement with their original handlers througout the country.   She captured these exquisite photographs.

    Today, Thursday, September 8, 2011, a selection of Dumas's photographs are on view at Julie Saul Gallery in Chelsea, NY.  Dumas also published a book entitled Retrieved which is available at The Ice Plant. 

    On September 29, 2011, Clic Bookstore & Gallery in Manhattan is hosting an event where one print of each dog from limited editions of seven will be for sale to benefit the First Responders Alliance.  For more information visit Clic Bookstore & Gallery.

    Also, in August The New York Times did a slide show tribute to these dogs, detailing their accomplishments, their subsequent missions (many were deployed in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina), and their recent activities in retirement.  Click here to view it.  Have a box of tissues handy.  Since being photographed, some of these heroes have passed away and all of them "embody a decade that is coming to a close."

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    Orion by Charlotte Dumas

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    Red by Charlotte Dumas

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    Tara by Charlotte Dumas

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    Bretagne by Charlotte Dumas

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    Bailey by Charlotte Dumas

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    Guinness by Charlotte Dumas

    Visit Charlotte Dumas's website.
    Order Retrieved.

  • Shelter in Place by Nancy Diessner

     

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    Nancy Diessner and her images, Jacob Belcher/Daily News and Wicked Local

    Nancy Diessner's Shelter in Place show at the Bromfield Gallery in Boston depicts portraits of rescued dogs beside portraits of the women who saved them.  Diessner, who worked at the Save a Dog shelter knows all the dogs and owners personally and learned from her time at the shelter "that the bond that grew between often-abandoned or abused dogs and the people who adopted them was 'direct but not simple.' "

    Chris Bergeron of Daily News and Wicked Local has an interview with Diessner, a review of the show, and a detailed explanation of the artist's printmaking process that incorporates digital photography, photopolymer gravure printmaking, and Japanese paper.  Read the full article here.

    My favorite quote from Diessner, "What I see in the eyes of dogs and in the connection we have with them can, for me, only be expressed visually."

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    Shelter in Place at the Bromfield Gallery, Boston, runs until April 30, 2011.

    Nancy Diessner's website.

     

  • Deaf Dogs Photo Book by Melissa McDaniel

    *sponsored feature*
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    {This post is written by one of my favorite dog photographers, Melissa McDaniel.}

    When I first got my dog Sadie, I didn’t know anything about deaf dogs.  Sadie was relinquished to a local shelter after the owners found out she and all of her littermates were born deaf.  It wasn’t long before I learned two things about deaf dogs. One, although they require some different training techniques, for the most part, deaf dogs are just like any other dogs – just as smart, trainable, fun-loving, loving.  Two, many deaf dogs have a very rough start in life.  Negligent owners believe their dogs don’t listen to them because they are stupid or stubborn, which tragically leads to deaf dogs being abused.  Even worse, many deaf puppies aren’t given a chance at life – they are euthanized simply because they are deaf.   For these reasons, I started photographing for the photo book projects.  I wanted to create a photo book that showed the beauty of these dogs and told their stories, that raised awareness and perhaps changed some laws. 

    I’ve been traveling the country for a year now to photograph for the deaf dog photo book, and a subsequent book on rescued dogs.  I am hoping the sales of the books will raise $300,000 for animal rescue and deaf dog advocacy groups – but the only way that will happen is if I am able to raise the money for printing.  I’m publishing the books myself, and in an effort to raise money for the high printing costs, I am offering pre-orders and holding two contests.

    If you believe in what I’m doing and would like to help in some way, enter your dog in the contest to be in this year’s photo book, pre-order the books (for you or for gifts) at a discount, or tell your rescue/shelter about the affiliate contest and get them involved.  Or, simply send your friends to this blog post to help spread the word.

    The only way this project will make a difference is for people to see these books.  Thank you!  Your support of the projects is greatly appreciated by me (and Sadie!)!

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  • Rescue Dogs in Haiti

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    Discovery.com  reports that rescue dogs from around the world have arrived in Haiti to aid rescue efforts.  The unprecedented scale of canine relief specialists include dogs from Russia, China, Peru, Great Britain, Taiwan, France, Mexico and the United States.  Truly amazing. 

    You can help by donating to the Search Dog Foundation.   Or you can give $10 to the American Red Cross by texting "HAITI" to 90999 and the amount will show up on your next phone bill.   Visit the American Red Cross to make an online donation.

  • Project71 Dog Beds

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    Robin Arouty is one of the most passionate dog advocates I know.  She devotes endless hours to the Houston shelter, BARC, and now has created a program to help dogs on a national scale.  It's called Project71 and it's based on the finding that within the first 72 hours of an animal entering a shelter it will either:

    1) be united with their owner

    2) enter an adoption program

    3) be euthanized

    …so the first 71 hours are their most crucial.  Robin designed these beds to comfort the dogs while volunteers like her work at reuniting or placing rescue dogs.  To contribute to this amazing project you can purchase a bed for your own pup and know that all the proceeds go to animal rescues.   Or you can buy one (or many) to be shipped to your favorite shelter.   The beds cost $45, very reasonable for their cool design and their waterproof , durable build.

    I think it is a wonderful program that gives dog-lovers tangible means to comfort homeless dogs.  Something concrete to keep them off the concrete. 

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    The beds are available at etsy and ebay.  Consider donating some beds to your favorite animal rescue as Christmas gifts this year.  Visit Robin's Project71 blog to learn more.

  • Melissa McDaniel’s Photo Book Projects

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    Melissa McDaniel is not just an accomplished photographer, she is also a passionate advocate for rescue dogs.  Through her Photo Book Projects she aims to raise $300,000 for shelter dogs and deaf dogs throughout the country in need of a forever home.  Yes, it's ambitious goal, but with the aim of donating %50 percent of the sale of the two photography books, Rescue Dogs and Deaf Dogs, she believes she can do it.  If you would like to help Melissa fund her cross country journey to photograph shelter dogs and raise awareness of their plight while raising money for the shelters too, there are several ways to contribute; sponsorships, pre-order the books, buy one of her prints at Etsy, or simply visit her blog and click on the donate button.  Any amount would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you, Melissa, for your fearless drive to help these beautiful dogs in need.  Keep us posted on your journey.

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    Lydia

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    Sunny

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    Ted

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    Archie

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    Keller

    P.S. If you would like to hire Melissa to photograph your dog, visit her website for  information on if and when she will be in your area.

  • The Dog Bailout Gift Card as Seen on Oprah

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    Oprah and her Lange Foundation gift card via Oprah.com

    Day 7 of my 12 Days of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Yule, and Hanukkah Gift Guide (for those still counting).  Today, I give you the gift that caused a sensation when Oprah featured it on her Investigation of Puppy Mills show last year…

    The Doggie Bailout from the Lange Foundation.

    $75 will save dog (or cat) from the L.A. City Animal Shelters.  The gift's recipient will receive a photo of the dog you rescued and a story about the pet from founder, Gillian Lange.  The donation goes towards the shelter "bail-out fee", medical care, and other kennel related expenses. You are also invited to stop by the kennel and inquire about specific dogs who are in need.

    Here is an excerpt of the letter Oprah received from Salina, a blind Cocker Spaniel chosen in her honor:

    "One morning last week there was great excitement. … One of the dogs
    had heard an officer say that someone from Lange Foundation was coming
    to choose a dog in your honor. I shared in the excitement, even though
    I knew the dog chosen would not be me. I was old and I was blind. I'd
    lived for many years in the yard of my owner's home. They never paid
    much attention to me. I did have my own doghouse, and that is where I
    spent most of my life, especially when I could no longer see.

    "When the foundation arrived, I tried to look my best as I knew it was
    my fifth day at the pound—my final day. The lady slowly walked up and
    down the aisles. I could sense that she was sad, and I heard her say to
    the kennel man, 'I wish I could take all of them.' She passed by my
    crowded dog run for the third time, and then she stopped and said, 'I
    think I'll take that one … I'll take the blind one.'"

    Oprah was so moved, she immediately wrote the Lange Foundation a check for $10,000.

    With this card, you truly are giving the gift of life.  And after all we have seen, don't dogs deserve a bailout too this year?

    The Lange Foundation also reminds dog lovers to think of them when your are out shopping this season. They are always in need of the following items:

    • Any kind of canned dog or cat food
    • Hills Science Diet A/D (special formula available at vets offices)
    • Hills Science Diet I/D (special formula available at vets offices)
    • Light Food 
    • Leashes and collars
    • Dog and cat beds
    • Cat trees
    • Indestructible chew
    • Toys (Nylabone)
    • Cow Hooves
    • Advantage
    • Frontline
    • Kitty Litter (preferably the clay formula)
    • Veterinary Supplies (call us for more details on what we use)
    • Towels, sheets, and blankets
    • Office supplies

    For more information call: (310) 472-7727

  • Tribute Video to 9/11 Rescue Dogs

    By DogLover9087 via YouTube.

    View the video tribute I featured last year here. It’s is equally as moving.

  • The Hero Dogs of 9/11 Thank You Video

    No words can express our appreciation to the brave rescue workers who sacrificed so much that day. The dogs were very much a part of their efforts. Thank you to all the heroes of 9/11.

    (I found this video of the wonderful Venezuelan website El Perruno Digital.)