Kristen Kidd.
A North Wales-based photographer is currently in the works of her fourth book, “Old Friends: How Senior Dogs Are Teaching Us to Live Our Best Lives,” and is accepting submissions from senior dog owners for a feature in the book.
“Old Friends: How Senior Dogs Are Teaching Us to Live Our Best Lives” is a coffee table book by Kristin Kidd featuring the stories of senior dogs and their owners. The profits from the sales will go toward Monkey’s House: A Dog Hospice and Sanctuary.
Kidd runs Lux Summit Studio — previously known as Kristen Kidd Photography. The studio hosted events like the Puppy Fashion Show that benefited Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue and the Puppy Punk Party that benefited New Leash on Life. Kidd has authored three other books that raised more than $25,000 for local rescues. The books were a series discussing the bonds between women and their dogs that belonged to the Women’s Best Friend project.
About five years ago, Kidd began photographing pets. Many of the clients who reached out to her happened to be women who wanted a photo experience with their dogs.
“I found myself sitting across from woman after woman sharing how their dogs had been there for them in the most seminal moments of their lives — their highest highs and lowest lows — and nearly every conversation ended with them saying, ‘I know that makes me crazy for how much I love my dogs,’” Kidd said. “I wanted them to understand that they weren't crazy, that they're in very good company.”
These women would often share stories about their experiences with depression, anxiety, career changes, and hitting major milestones. In her book, Kidd wanted to highlight these kinds of stories to present them as part of the human experience and to also show how dogs can positively impact people while going through these life experiences.
For the “Old Friends” project, Kidd wanted to bring attention to the unwavering spirit senior dogs have, despite their age and how it may impact their capabilities. She also wanted to raise awareness about aging in dogs as well as aging in general.
“I want for this coffee table book to be able to build off of that and to create a platform where we can have conversations about our mindset about aging and shift it into a positive celebration as opposed to a sad concept,” Kidd said.
“Old Friends: How Senior Dogs Are Teaching Us To Live Our Best Lives” also features a local veterinarian from Telford Veterinary Hospital Dr. Joanne Loeffler.
“I’m honored to be a part of the book,” Loeffler said. “Everyone loves puppies, but getting a dog to their senior years is just so special. There’s a bond that forms that you just know what each other is thinking. Like having your favorite pair of pants or shirt, old dogs just fit perfectly with us.”
Her section of the book talks about her dogs Ivy, Storm, and Phoenix.
Ivy was a long-haired German shepherd dog who passed away recently at ten years old. Loeffler got her at eight weeks old from a breeder. Ivy was a certified therapy dog who did over 800 hours of work in her career and worked mainly with special needs kids.
“She loved everything, both person and animal, that she ever met,” Loeffler said.
Storm, a 9½-year-old long-haired German shepherd, was rescued at eight months old after being neglected by her previous owners. Loeffler said Storm was initially very untrusting of her for a while.
“Now she is my shadow and best friend,” Loeffler said. “She and I compete in the sport of nose-work which really helped her gain confidence. Most people don’t know the real her because she’s still nervous of new people, but once you are in her pack you will see the goofy dog she is.”
Phoenix, a 9½-year-old short haired German shepherd, was rescued at 1½-years-old. She had been hit by a car and not given proper medical attention. By the time she was taken in, her right front leg needed to be amputated.
“She’s never [let] being different slow her down for one second,” Loeffler said. “She and I also compete in nosework and she got me involved in the sport.”
Loeffler also has two Leonbergers named Theo and Nemo.
Kidd is still accepting submissions from senior dog owners to have their stories featured in her book. Only 50 senior dogs and their humans will be featured.
For more information on submissions, click here.
See also:
Charity Puppy Fashion Show Scheduled for Next Week in North Wales
Prison Puppy Punk Party Proves Prosperous
Local Photographer’s ‘Woman’s Best Friend’ Project to Benefit Local Rescue
Keep Your Dog Leashed: Thoughts From One Friendly Pet Owner To Another
Local Photographer’s Book Release Raises $6,000 for Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue
