When someone tells you that you'll probably never have children on your own, you tend to believe it. Even when there's plenty of evidence to the contrary. ....Enter Ryker. I'll never forget the story of how I learned I was pregnant, as it was filled with bizarre twists and turns. Just before Christmas, I dreamed I gave birth to a boy who had a mouth full of teeth and a head full of hair. The next day, Abby handed a pregnancy test that she dug out of the vanity at a family member's home. I thought nothing of it...other than I can't get pregnant "on my own," though we'd been thinking about the long ordeal of trying and then seeking help. A horrible cough that developed on Christmas 2003 became unbearable the next day. Then I was walking across the house that morning and blacked out. I figured I was the last person who should be home alone with my over-active 1-year-old, so I called my dad, who came to help out. And I called the doctor to see if my cough was something serious....it was really awful! In fact, it was a bad virus, and he prescribed a strong cough medicine. Before I walked out, he warned me not to take it if I was pregnant. I told him I can't get pregnant "on my own," and left with my prescription. I drove through the ma and pa pharmacy, and as the pharmacist was handing me the medicine, he also issued a warning not to take it if I was pregnant. I think I sighed and asked him to throw in a pregnancy test, but they didn't sell them. So I took the medicine and went home, recounting the whole story to Dan and my dad. Dan took off to Walgreens for a test, and my dad headed home. Dan was in the kitchen, and I was upstairs with the test. He knew I was pregnant by the rapid and loud sound of me heading down the steps, positive pregnancy test in hand. The result...positive and arrived at "on my own." Well, Dan helped! And so began the journey of our second miracle from God...a boy who was destined to be a part of our family. We love this silly, fun-loving boy who's personality fills every room he walks into...a brave, warrior boy who might have a rough exterior but is the snuggliest, sweetest boy a momma could ever have. Happy Birthday, Ryker...my baby Ry-Ry. :)
Here's a great video from a senior session that we were able to incorporate lots of great ideas that Kristen and her mom had. Turned out fantastic! Thanks for choosing me to take your senior portraits!!
A week after we lost our beloved Gretchen, another miniature schnauzer stole our heart. Meet Max -- a four-year-old schnauzer who was rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri. He was neglected, possibly abused and had his fur matted down to his skin when he arrived at Posh Puppies. He might have lived with other dogs in the same small cage all those years -- probably without air conditioning, probably sitting in his own messes. We don't know for sure, but we know he is very fearful of people. But he loves dogs and children, and he's come a long way in the three weeks we've had him....thanks to Tricia Baker and cheese!
We loved Gretchen so much. She was like our first child; we picked her up a few months before we got married. And we didn't want getting a new dog to feel like we were replacing or betraying her. But we couldn't imagine our family as complete without a dog to snuggle. We're just dog people, and our kids love having a new dog to love.
I must confess, I didn't really know that purebred dogs could be "rescued." I had no idea about puppy mills, and I figure if I didn't know, there are probably a lot of people who don't know how dogs and puppies are treated in this so-called business. Posh Puppies even has 12-week-old puppies, because if the puppy mills can't find a home for them in a certain window of time, they generally destroy them -- even the puppies! And most of the older dogs used for breeding are killed, sometimes in very inhumane ways. It makes me sick!
So, how did we come to know about Posh Puppies? A friend of mine on Facebook posted a link to a rescue organization where they got their dog -- Posh Puppies Rescue in St. Louis. I NEVER would have clicked on it if we hadn't lost Gretchen just days before. I honestly didn't expect to see any schnauzers on their Web site, and we already knew we would have to stick with schnauzers because they're easy on our dog allergies. However, there were three mini schnauzers. Two puppies and Max. We couldn't help but fall for him when we read his story. So a week after saying good-bye to Gretchen, we went to see Max. And promptly brought him home.
We still have a lot of work ahead of us. He doesn't like the leash. He's pretty fearful. Has never barked. Doesn't eat or drink much still. He's got a very thin coat and flea allergy that has affected his skin and fur. His teeth are not good. A lot of puppy mills mix saw dust in with food to save money. We know we didn't and couldn't replace Gretchen. Max couldn't be more different. But he'd been at Posh Puppies for 3.5 months waiting for a family, and I'd like to think we were meant to be. He's come a long way in the last three weeks. He's acting playful and less uncomfortable. He'sstarted jumping, and he's adjusting to the kids. And who knows...maybe when we're ready, we'll get him a playmate from Posh Puppies!
Want to help dogs like Max continue getting rescued? Here's one way:
Dog Days of Summer to raise funds for Posh Puppies Rescue
ATHENS -- Denney Photography is holding a special fundraiser in July to collect donations for Posh Puppies Rescue.
The event will be by appointment on Saturday, July 17 and Saturday, July 24 in the studio of Denney Photography. Sessions are for pets and may include people. The cost for a mini session is $20 plus one item to help Posh Puppies care for rescued dogs until they are adopted by a forever family. Items needed include dog treats, squeaky or rope toys, leashes, collars, harnesses, dog beds or pillows, stainless steel pet bowls, blankets and towels.
Posh Puppies is a pet rescue of small purebred dogs located in St. Louis. Two Athens families, including the Denneys, recently adopted dogs rescued from puppy mills from Posh Puppies. Help us thank Posh Puppies for their dedication to this cause and get a special portrait of your fur baby. More about Posh Puppies can be found at www.poshpuppiesrescue.org. Read about Max on Denney Photography's blog at www.denneyphotography.com.
One of the reasons I love what I do so much is the people. I love meeting new people and adopting them into my "family" of clients. But I also very much love to be able to work with people I have known and loved all my life. I was so honored to take my cousin Anne's engagement photos. Especially since she and her husband-to-be Cory didn't complain and let me have lots of fun moving them all over and making them act like models. And they look pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. I don't know Cory well yet, but I can attest that Anne is super beautiful, sweet, smart and artistic (you should hear her sing!!). I hope these images can capture a small fraction of her personality and Cory's too. I'm looking forward to seeing them more and more since they just bought a house near my family's stomping ground in the metro east. Congratulations Anne & Cory!
Great turnout at the Shoe York City event last night at ShoeTopia. I'm so glad my path crossed with these lovely ladies a few years back when they opened their shop. They are SO MUCH FUN! Amy is extending the trunk show of "Manhattan" shoes through the weekend. Go check them out in the Montvale Plaza! There are some amazing shoes, and the animal print one with the big bow is my absolutely fave. It's a 3-4 inch heel that is surprisingly comfy! I just have to figure out where I would wear a heel like that??? During a baby photo shoot??? Hmmm..... Someone needs to invite me to a big party! The gals of all ages had fun getting their portraits done on the red carpet. I heard the paparazzi were pretty nice last night. :-)
I just want to offer a very heartfelt thanks to not only the amazing moms who were honored by their daughters' words, but also to the daughters who took the time to write down just why their moms are special and how they have impacted their lives. You are all winners to me! God blessed us with moms because in His wisdom he knew we would need a hefty dose of daily compassion, encouragement, support and love. And we're never too old to need our moms because what they do for us extends so far beyond meeting our physical needs before we're able. Moms are a lifeline at all phases of our lives. Mother's Day is really every day!
