Dogged devotion
Book explores the bond between pet and owner
THE love between a person and their dog is rarely expressed in words – it is simply not the nature of the friendship, and often its single biggest advantage. So when owners were asked to pen letters to their sometimes dearly departed pets, the results are, in some cases, fairly emotional.
Each letter is accompanied by the photography of Zoo Studio’s multi award-winning animal photographer Ken Drake and compiled in Fur-Ever Loved: A letter to my dog.
One letter, written to maltese cross Chloe, paints a picture of a puppy that was a “white ball of fluff” in 2003 and was a perfect fit for the family.
“You saved us numerous times from snakes with that familiar deep growl – we owe you our lives,” the owner wrote.
“It didn’t take long for you to show us your trademark – your very large white ears; so large in fact that the vet called you the rare white-eared bat.”
Chloe died in April last year.
“I know you are now free of pain, but the pain in our hearts remains,” Chloe’s owner wrote.
Fly’s owner also writes of their friendship cultivated by a shared love of agility (which involves the owner directing the dog through obstacle courses).
“Every day you are there resting your head on my lap, forgiving all my faults, never judging me for my bad decisions and always there with a wagging tail to celebrate my victories with me,” Fly’s owner writes.
“In August 2016 I was diagnosed with cancer.
“When I came home that day you looked at me with sad eyes. I said ‘Don’t worry buddy, I will beat this for you.’
“You wagged your tail and ran off to get your ball.
“I know you will fight this with me and I know that you will never leave my side.
“You will make me smile daily and you will bring laughter to my days.
“You will be my best medicine.
“I will never have a dog like you again. Till death do us part.”