It's A Dog's World

Tanya, Owner of 8 C's Big Dog Rescue with several of the dogs we have photographed for them!

Many of my clients choose to include their family pets in their family portraits....I admire that. I grew up on a farm with lots of animals...you name it...we had it (horses, rabbits, snakes, iguanas, parrots, dogs, cats, etc...), now in my "adult life" we are alittle more modest but have 3 dogs and some salt water critters. Our pets are our family! With my love for animals, I knew that my talents could be used some how to help them. My adventure with 8 C's Big Dog Rescue all started with our "facebook" search to add a new dog to our family....one of ours is 15 yrs. old and needed a break and my other one is 4 year old large Chessie, who needed a friend that would not be too intimidated by her. I came across 8 C's Big Dog Rescue (8 C's) and immediately feel in love with their philosophy. I had to complete a comprehensive application to be considered for ownership, I had to supply previous vet records..among other things, all of this was to of course ensure that I would be a worthy pet owner. Before we even adopted a dog, I contacted the owner, Tanya and asked if our studio could be of service to their non-profit rescue....and the rest is history. I have been delighted to work with this organization pro bono for the last couple of months.

8 C's Big Dog Rescue incorporated as a non-profit organization in June of 2009 operating out of Callahan. Their mission is to save the lives of homeless, abused, and neglected large breed dogs. It is their goal to put their rescue dogs in permanent "forever homes". Tanya says she started 8'Cs because there were several little dog rescues and rescues for pure breeds, but there really weren't any rescues that specialized in adopting out large mix breeds or bully breeds. This does not mean they don't help the small dogs too; they just recently adopted out a Chiweenie, and are treating a Boston Terrier for heartworms so he can be adopted too once healthy. Tanya does not operate out of a shelter, but yet many other volunteers who open their homes to foster the rescue animals until forever homes can be found for each of the animals. "Foster homes are the life line of the rescue, without foster homes, we would not have any rescues." said Tanya. The amount of foster homes used at any given time varies due to demand; however they typically have 5 or 6 foster homes housing dogs of 8'C's. We have spoken with several foster moms as when the come to the studio and they all have a similar reasoning for fostering. Foster Mom Dana, said, "I chose to foster because there are so many dogs that would make wonderful pets, all they need is a chance. By fostering, I am able to teach them good manners before they go to their forever homes." Foster Mom Bonnie has fostered over 15 dogs for 8 C's, not including the litter of 8 puppies she has now. When asked how it is working with Tanya, she said, "Tanya and I have been friends for a while. She has a very large heart and is a compassionate person." Foster Mom Hayley just started fostering with 8 C's yet had previously fostered many puppies and kittens with the Nassau Humane Society and Cats Angels and says that helping animals is her passion.

So where do all of these dogs come from.....many are often acquired from the local Animal Control and Humane Society. Tanya often takes the dogs that likely may not make it out of the pound. "I don't pull the most adoptable dogs, I usually pull what is on death row" Tanya said. "I knew that if I was able to start my own rescue, there wouldn't be the time limit." Tanya pays for much of the vet care out of her own pocket and uses the services of Dr. Payne with Full Circle Animal Hospital in Callahan. You can often find the pets of 8'C at the Rivercity Petsmart on the weekends, and advertised in several locations like our facebook page (www.facebook.com/bostonphotographyfl), their facebook page (www.facebook.com/8csbigdogrescue), petfinders and more.

If you want to help this organization, monetary donations can be left at Full Circle Animal Hospital in 8C's name; this money will go directly to vetting the adoptable animals or you could complete an application on their webpage to adopt a dog or become a foster home. Right now 8 C's is taking many items to put in there benefit Yard Sale on March 3rd and would love your donations.

And by the way, I adopted "Reef" from the very first litter of pups I photographed for 8 C's :)