Loving Jesse
This is a second photo of my first Irish Setter, Jesse. In order to understand the full impact of our story, please read the narrative paired with my photograph titled Jesse. I described our first meeting at a pet store when I first saw this starving little girl, a product of a cruel puppy mill. This photo was taken at 10 weeks old, two weeks after I brought her home with a bloated stomach from starvation, a very fearful pup who did not display the normal interaction when puppies interact with humans, especially their first family. She did not wag her tail, lick my face or engage in any eye contact. Her first meal was pepto bismol and rice and slowly she graduated to medicinal pet food provided by the vet. She was neglected and as a result of her brutal entrance into the world was not trusting of human beings. After about 6 months of touching her, looking into her distant eyes like an animal captured in an autistic capsule, she looked at me and we never looked back to those unbearable days at the puppy mill where human greed is paramount without any regard for the puppy’s welfare. It is all about money and the unbearable consequences are suffered by the most vulnerable pups, many who do not survive. Some puppy mills have been closed due to their cruel and intolerable treatment of these beautiful animals, but we have a long way to go to stop people from producing puppies in unclean and dirty factories that spread disease throughout the kennel. I described in her adult photo how Jessie looked, the pain and discomfort clearly revealed in her beautiful amber eyes. She was my first love who became my best friend, teacher and most beloved companion. After twenty-five years, I still miss her and the wisdom and profound love she gave us with abundant gratitude for the many years we were fortunate to treasure her. I have always loved this photograph. It reveals that with commitment and work with abused and neglected animals, they do respond to our nuturance and return it with immeasureable love and devotion.
Loving Jesse belongs to the following groups:
Accentuate The Eyes, All Pets Great and Small, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, AW Welcome Center, Live, Love, Dream: May you have a Blessed Christmas Season , Mans Best Friend's (Dogs only), Our K9 Friend 1 image a day (Dogs only), The Healing Journey, THE SISTERHOOD and Two Beings Group Available for sale asGreeting Cards and Matted Prints
migaloomagic
oh what a beautiful puppy dog..and a beautiful story Julie
Wendy Slee
very touching story…so often animals are just treated as commodities and never appreciated for the true gifts they bring to us and the world. Your story highlights one such case where the situation was turned around and is a beautiful and reaffirming read. Lovely!
Julie Marks
Thanks for your comments. My first photo of her, Jesse tells the story and when I found this photo, I was delighted to show the visual of what I had described in my photograph, Jesse on RB. Look at the difference in the eyes.
handprintz
Very touching story bought me to tears that this can happen,what a wonderful life it must have been for her when she found you! and this is such a beautiful picture
MooseMan
In a perfect world, all pets and people would have someone like you to spend their lives with. We can only do what we can do, right? I will have a dog again some day. They are indeed wonderful friends.
Julie Marks replied
In my next life I want to come back as my dog!
Peter Harpley
I promised I would look at your work but I’m drawn first to this beautiful dog and your dear story. Whats the saying ‘All Dogs go to heaven’ they all deserve a little heaven on earth though…
Del Millar
Ditto to what Peter Harpley says
oxo
JaneAParis
I can feel the love coming out of this photo – Smiles from Jane:-)
Colin Cartwright
Absolutely stunning image and narrative, Julie. The story is so touching. Animals are so individual. It’s appalling how people can treat sentient beings (including each other).
This must be one of your most precious images.
You can see the expression in those clear eyes…it’s, ‘what happened?’ A conflict and confusion, with the new loving family…slowly dissolving that nightmare introduction to the world.
Well done, Julie.
Snoboardnlife
This is a heart warming photograph.When I was born my Parents had an Irish Setter, My first dog! I’ve always wanted another one
Renate Dartois
What a beautiful Dog and that face wow-these puppy mills are an outrage and so cruel wonderful narrative on this heartbreaking situation.
cdcantrell
Juie, Hi my name is Craig,very cute nice shot . I paint my self take a look.
Sophie Shapiro
Julie Marks
I appreciate all the wonderful comments about Jesse, one of those rare relationships
that grew into a profound and genuine love. Her troubled beginning is reflected
in her eyes and like people who begin life in a cruel environment, it takes time to
heal the wounds. Love is a powerful healing force and thankfully she landed in
my arms to be cherished as long as she lived. I still miss her. Thanks Sophie
for enlarging the photo so the viewers can look into her eyes, the mirror of her
soul. Photos that capture the emotions of trauma and neglect can motivate people to shut down puppy mills. In California, many have been closed!