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
Here were some other fun images I grabbed of this fun-filled lady...
Inside, there are many dog-filled stories including one about a super-awesome Flyball team located right here in the Charlotte-area. Check out page 44 of the magazine to see the pictures and read the story. Find the online version here: 
And one of my favorites. This is a lovely story about a Diabetic Service Dog and his bond with his mom. You can find this story on page 22 
To see pictures from the Cover Dog Contest, check out page 16 
Lake Norman Currents did a fabulous job with the layout of the story and Alden's mom told me she cried when she saw it for the first time. Many thanks to Lake Norman Currents magazine for writing this story and raising awareness for service dogs everywhere!
Occasionally I like to pull out my notebook because it takes me back to the beginning - back to when all of that information was so new to me. I like to remember the passion that was stirred up inside and the excitement I had for totally "getting" something and being "good" at it. (PS - check out the pic below. Haha! My maiden name!)
When people ask me how to get started in photography or even how to improve their skills, I always recommend taking a photography course. Sure, there are a ton of amazing, self-taught photographers out there. However, not everyone has the discipline to learn the f-stops, shutter speed settings and ISO values and how they interconnect. We were required to memorize all of these numbers and know what to do when one or two of those numbers changed - it became second nature and we were regularly tested on that. Plus, we learned about composition, expression and many fun photographic techniques.
Of course, we also learned how to process film and develop our own prints. While those things might not seem relative to today's business of "developing" your images in Photoshop, it actually is! Many of the tools in Photoshop come directly from the darkroom including dodging, burning, masking, filters, sponging, etc. If you know the history, you understand why the Photoshop tools do what they do and look the way they look.
Anyway, thanks for tagging along on this trip down memory lane. If I only knew then what I know now... :)
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!!!
Andora is the more "mature" of the fur-kids and she shows her age so gracefully. She's definitely the calmer of the two and prefers to hang out and kinda watch the action take place.
Achilles, on the other hand, is still very puppy-like even at 4 years old. He's go-go-go and loves to chase his toys and give huge, slobbery kisses. Such a cutie-pie!
I was so excited to have some lovely evening light to show off these pups in all their fabulousness!
And the whole family...
Andora happily accepts some human kisses...
I think Achilles wanted to look serious for this picture. Do you think he pulled it off? ;)
And here is Achilles doing what he loves most...playing!
Andora just sat back and watched everyone at the park. She's such a sweetheart!
And one last one of Achilles being Achilles...
I wanted to post this today because Ruby's mom is recovering from surgery. I hope this brings a little brightness into her day!
Of course we had to have some play time mixed in with all that posing. Plus, what do you expect a dog to do in the fresh, cool sand?!?
Ruby fell in LOVE with my little squeaky ball. I understand she stole it and is still playing with it regularly!
The end.
