Pets hold a special place in the hearts of their family members. Whether they’re four legged or finned, fluffy or scaled, while they’re with us they’re part of the family. Liz and Craig have hearts big enough to keep rescuing animals who need homes, even those who may not have much time left. So when one of their rescue cats was only given a few weeks left to live, they wanted a backyard pet portrait session to help remember him.

We kept things simple. Their delightful Ottawa backyard had great evening light. It was early summer, and their gardens were exploding with colour. I’m a big fan of market lights, which they had strung around the perimeter along the fence. They even had a lemonade bar.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived – after all, they were already grieving the impending loss of a kitty that had been in their lives for a while. But Liz and Craig were joyful in celebrating their friend, letting him wander on his leash and lavishing him with cuddles. The final portraits from that day show how much he was loved, and I hope they cherish the memories.

If you want portraits of you and your pet, don’t feel embarrassed to prioritize them. Time goes by too quickly. And for those of you who rescue animals to give them a better life, even if they only have a short time left, I am amazed by your generosity and capacity to love. Thank you.