SantaPaws 2024

Aside from photography, I have a tender heart for our four-legged friends and family members.
Having grown up with 4-6 cats, 2 dogs and a horse (in my post-teen years), I was taught from an early age the wonderful characters and life these wonderful creatures bring into our homes and family(s). Some of my fondest childhood memories are being greeted at the door as I came home from school by my personal cat (Silver), as she knew minutes before I would arrive home to be waiting at the door, eager to receive and give a furry hug and soothing purr. 

As I ventured into adulthood, I would continue my relationship with another furry companion, Katzianna; a calico cat that was rescued by my step-mom during a winter storm, appearing to be a kitten, only to discover the next morning that she was a “mama” and had given birth to 6 adorable kittens during the night. Originally, I was supposed to take one of the new kittens home to Salt Lake City; however, as I sat a few weeks later with the new mama and her kittens, it was she who seemed to understand my desire for cuddles and calm relaxed moments of introspection, as I would sit quietly, cat on my lap and get lost in the soothing vibration of her little motor as she peacefully purred and watched TV with me.

Life has had its moments since those days, and yet even to this day, I find myself often desiring to introduce another furry four-legged friend to my little circle of “family”. Unfortunately, location, time and significant others within that circle are not able to indulge in being in close proximity to such a family-member due to allergies.

When time opens the door however, I eagerly accept opportunities to help others find and embrace the warmth these creatures offer to us and our homes.

This past Thanksgiving weekend was no exception. Thanks to The Friends of Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter (FOLLKAS) and Smash K-9, I was invited to capture and freeze some moments with Santa-Claus as people from all over Calvert County, Maryland came together and allowed me to capture their four-legged friends as they visited with the Jolly-Man himself.

I even had an opportunity to hold “Lenny” a cute orange & white tabby that is currently up for adoption at the Shelter. I soooooo very much wanted to bring him home; but alas, I am unable to do so at the moment and I know that he will find a wonderful ForeverHome with someone else and make them smile, just as he made me smile as I reluctantly handed him over to Santa so he could whisper in Santa’s ear how much he loves to be scratched behind his ears and under his chin and how he enjoys playing with catnip mice.

Help me celebrate all of these four-legged joy-makers and consider visiting FOLLKAS yourself and adopting a new member to your family/home. If you’re like me and simply unable to do that, be kind and consider donating to FOLLKAS, or your nearby Animal Shelter, with your time and/or resources.

Also, a “thank-you” to Snow Effects in Colorado for their amazing ECO/PEOPLE/PET-FRIENDLY snow effects. Most companies utilize a plastic or polymer based synthetic snow coverage; however, Snow Effects uses fine paper fiber and starch to create VERY REALISTIC snow that can be easily swept up and/or diluted in water and it disappears just like real snow would (you can even get snow with a starch additive that when lightly moistened, has all the characteristics of real snow, meaning you can create snow-balls that actually act like a soft snow-ball should when it meets its target).

::UPDATE:: The other day my girlfriend was talking to her sister and found out that her brother-in-law’s brother had recently acquired a new “four-legged family member of the feline variety”. Upon further discussion it was revealed that the new family member’s name is …. …. yup, you guessed it, “Lenny!!”. It turns out that he and his family had recently lost their previous family member and decided to pay the shelter a visit. Unbeknownst to them of my affiliation and or activities on the previous Saturday, they decided on an adorable and loving orange & white tabby with an incredible purring motor and calm demeanor. I, of course, have advised my girlfriend to let the family know that I am more than happy to “cat-sit” anytime it is needed, and even when it isn’t. I’m so happy that I will have opportunity to keep an extended relationship to Lenny and I hope all the wonderful visitors (pets awaiting homes) will find themselves loving and warm homes for the holidays and beyond.