I don't want to even call it that... an end-of-life shoot. But my sister did and it's her dog and we know what we know. The end is near for Lola.
She's over 15 and has had the biggest love affair with my sister Denise since she was 6-months-old and came from a backyard breeding situation. You know your soulmate when you meet 'em and they are soulmates.
I used to strum on my "niece's" chest and sing "L-O-L-A Lola," you know, the old Kinks song (worth a listen!). And if you said her name "Lo-lo-lo-lo" in Xena, Warrior Princess style, her ears would flutter in time. Stop me, I have more.
Oh, I did give a mother's day gift to Denise for a DNA Wisdom Panel that explained Lola's sort of wolverine look, my sister mistakenly called a Schnoodle. She is cocker spaniel, Russell terrier, miniature schnauzer mix. And of course, a lot of "mixed breed" in it as well.
Lola is blind and deaf and has tremors now. She has trouble walking and my sister hand feeds her.
When I was at my sister's in April, I saw a metal print I had made for her of my first photo shoot of Lola, way back in 2013. Yeah, it's not great, I see so many rookie mistakes I made. My skills were more limited then. So I apologized to Denise for not taking a better photo when I got better and when Lola looked better.
"Oh, all I see is the love," she said.
And you know, that tells you something.
Our eyes are always going to see the love.