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This Photographer Captures The Touching Moments Of People Saying Goodbye To Their Pets (17 Pics)
Interview With Artist
Once one makes a decision to get a pet, they take home a new family member. Doesn't matter whether it's a dog, a cat, or a hamster, that little or big creature changes everything and becomes a big part of a person's life. Unfortunately, animals don't live as long as we would love them to (and that's their only flaw). Pets bring a lot of joy, but there comes the time when one has to say goodbye to a dear friend.
It is hard to accept the fact that there won't be snuggles, kisses, and cuddles anymore, therefore one has to find a way to bid farewell that could make the mourning a bit easier. One of them is to take pictures of the last moments together as a reminder of the warmth once felt.
Photographer Lauren Smith-Kennedy is helping those who have to let their pet cross the Rainbow Bridge with free end-of-life photo shoots for the animals and their humans. Her pictures perfectly capture one of the purest forms of love and companionship. Today we want to share her 17 touching photographs of people saying goodbye to their beloved members of the family.
More info: Instagram | thetillyproject.org | Facebook
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If it's that time, try to get a service that comes to your house to put the animal down. Our dog went to sleep on her own blanket, in her own house. It's an affordable alternative to a stainless table at the vet.
The photographer shared with Bored Panda that she offers these end-of-life sessions for free.
"After doing my first shoot and putting it out there on social media, the response was overwhelming. It became quickly apparent that this service was much needed and very valuable to families. I know how dear our beloved pets are, as I myself am a huge animal lover, and the thought of being able to honor so many lives by using my photography skills was something very powerful and motivating to me."
In addition to this, she works as the Director of Development for a wildlife rehabilitation center. This past season they had over 140 baby raccoons!
One of the most challenging parts of doing end-of-life pet photography for Lauren is being able to relate to the pain that these owners are going through: "after going through my own journey with grief, and still grieving the loss of my own cat after 4 years, I try to use this familiarity with grief to offer empathy and words of comfort to my clients. Much of the session is spent learning all about their pets and the lives they lived which is such an incredible thing."
but on the brighter side they will be happy, because they won’t feel sickness anymore
The photographer revealed that each photoshoot is different. "Some sessions are filled with laughter and smiles, belly rubs, and lots of kisses, and others are a bit heavier as you can feel the sadness of the owners. Though love still radiates through all of the sessions I have had."
"When I have shown my work to the public, there is an overwhelming sense of reliability to the grief of losing a pet. Thousands of people I have never met leave the most thoughtful and kind messages, and offer condolences to the clients I photograph."
I can't put a finger on as to exactly why, but this one in particular really pulls at my heartstrings and emotions.
The most memorable moment for Lauren was photographing Moo the 14-year-old chihuahua and his owner, Jill. "There was a moment at the end of the shoot, where Moo gently rested his head on Jill's hands and looked very gently into the camera. You could just see the love in his eyes. It was a very special moment and one of my favorite photos I've captured."
Lauren also wants to mention that she has created her own organization called "The Tilly Project", which is an end-of-life pet photography network with over 450 photographers who offer this service worldwide as well as resources for the families.
Perfect! No tears - just a last moment of joy celebrating your best friend. We did the same with our girl when the end came. We didn't want her to see our tears of sadness.
There is so much love in these pics. I'm not going to lie...the tears are flowing here. Looking now at my beautiful rescued Lab and I tell her everyday I love her. I look at a lot of things differently in Life now because of her. I think she actually rescued me. Big hug and thanks to all in these pics, that shared. Their pain will be my pain too someday. Take care.
I lost my beautiful dog last Thursday. These are beautiful but heart breaking
Over all the years, I am the one who takes our hearts to the vet for the pink shot, or they die in my arms at home or the vet comes here, my husband can't handle it. It is always me: Sam, Buck, Lady, JD, Bismarck, Jackson, Mandy, Molly, Major, Lil Bit, Alex, Katie, my heart Sugar, Pepper, Mous, Beau, Jackie, Cassidy, Maddie, Buttons, Charlie, Sweetie Pie, Cassius, Gypsy, Richelieu, I/we loved them all so much.
these animals are loving creaters that are watching over us nowi know how it feels i had a shelter and well alot of my anmals died i was onley 4 when i started and now im 16 sigh im sorry this s hard for you i know i had to deal with it my hole life if you work at a shelter pls dont get mad huff i lived on streets and i was throne out when i think 2 and i had to care for my self and i still do i did live in sheltors dog and i lived with animals and some left to go watch over me
I've said goodbye to many beloved family members. I just hope and pray when my time comes that I'm so well loved and missed. Our animal friends are what make us human.
It doesn't matter how tough you think you are, saying goodbye to a pet is heart breaking.
No. No. I just adopted my first dog only a year ago. I don't want to think about this. It hurts...
I am coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the day I had to say goodbye to my cat. I wish I had a picture of me with her like this, but I also don't... because she went downhill so fast and I don't want to remember her that way. :(
My mantle is full of urns, so we never leave them behind. There are 3 more that should be there, but back in the day, it was to cost prohibitive. I hope they forgave me, they are still in my heart.
Fighting back the tears here, lol. And the great thing is you know these pets had a great life and a loving home.
Man i just got a kitten (8 months) i know this day will come one day and i hope its atleast 20 years from now! I cant imagine losing my bestfriend
Despite the deep sadness these pictures have one thing in common and it's beautiful thing. They are greatly loved and gifted even the last time embraced in this love. Death is part of life and without death life can't exist, but love is what makes all the difference. I do wish I will be granted this too when time comes for my loved furry friends. You can't possibly think of greater selfless act than to be with the companion for who you were the entire life, to love them even in final moments on earth. And they deserve best of it.
When I had to let my 16 years old kitty go a year ago, the vet asked "what do you want to do with the body". We (mum and I) told her we were going to bury her in our garden. She said it was illegal. And to this day I remember her cold face when I told her to call the damn cops if she wanted, but Ebony would always be with us. And she is, in spirit.
I'm sorry for that. And you did right, the best you could. I didn't have garden when my first dog passed away years back. But it was only shortly before when finally in my country they started doing cremation for pets (not actually in my country, it was service which came from neighboring country). Wasn't cheap but it was the best decision we could make. I would never be able to leave animal after passing to be handled like waste. They do deserve better,all of them,for all they gave us.
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I lost my beautiful dog last Thursday. These are beautiful but heart breaking
Over all the years, I am the one who takes our hearts to the vet for the pink shot, or they die in my arms at home or the vet comes here, my husband can't handle it. It is always me: Sam, Buck, Lady, JD, Bismarck, Jackson, Mandy, Molly, Major, Lil Bit, Alex, Katie, my heart Sugar, Pepper, Mous, Beau, Jackie, Cassidy, Maddie, Buttons, Charlie, Sweetie Pie, Cassius, Gypsy, Richelieu, I/we loved them all so much.
these animals are loving creaters that are watching over us nowi know how it feels i had a shelter and well alot of my anmals died i was onley 4 when i started and now im 16 sigh im sorry this s hard for you i know i had to deal with it my hole life if you work at a shelter pls dont get mad huff i lived on streets and i was throne out when i think 2 and i had to care for my self and i still do i did live in sheltors dog and i lived with animals and some left to go watch over me
I've said goodbye to many beloved family members. I just hope and pray when my time comes that I'm so well loved and missed. Our animal friends are what make us human.
It doesn't matter how tough you think you are, saying goodbye to a pet is heart breaking.
No. No. I just adopted my first dog only a year ago. I don't want to think about this. It hurts...
I am coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the day I had to say goodbye to my cat. I wish I had a picture of me with her like this, but I also don't... because she went downhill so fast and I don't want to remember her that way. :(
My mantle is full of urns, so we never leave them behind. There are 3 more that should be there, but back in the day, it was to cost prohibitive. I hope they forgave me, they are still in my heart.
Fighting back the tears here, lol. And the great thing is you know these pets had a great life and a loving home.
Man i just got a kitten (8 months) i know this day will come one day and i hope its atleast 20 years from now! I cant imagine losing my bestfriend
Despite the deep sadness these pictures have one thing in common and it's beautiful thing. They are greatly loved and gifted even the last time embraced in this love. Death is part of life and without death life can't exist, but love is what makes all the difference. I do wish I will be granted this too when time comes for my loved furry friends. You can't possibly think of greater selfless act than to be with the companion for who you were the entire life, to love them even in final moments on earth. And they deserve best of it.
When I had to let my 16 years old kitty go a year ago, the vet asked "what do you want to do with the body". We (mum and I) told her we were going to bury her in our garden. She said it was illegal. And to this day I remember her cold face when I told her to call the damn cops if she wanted, but Ebony would always be with us. And she is, in spirit.
I'm sorry for that. And you did right, the best you could. I didn't have garden when my first dog passed away years back. But it was only shortly before when finally in my country they started doing cremation for pets (not actually in my country, it was service which came from neighboring country). Wasn't cheap but it was the best decision we could make. I would never be able to leave animal after passing to be handled like waste. They do deserve better,all of them,for all they gave us.
Load More Replies... 