What’s a Soul Dog?

And yes, Remington is a dog. In this case, a spunky miniature schnauzer, not the firearms manufacturer.

I still remember searching for a puppy and hesitantly making the decision to bring home an adorable salt and pepper 3-month-old miniature schnauzer.  I was so scared to change my routine and life. I was in my late 20s, had no clue how to care for any living creature, and this was long before I had 2-legged kids of my own.  What a ride I was about to experience!

In between potty training, sleepless nights, and unconditional love, Remington quickly inspired me to expand my existing photo restoration business and photograph pets professionally. He was a perfectly poised model and the reason I continued to pick up my camera and improve my skills every day. I started photographing dogs up for adoption at local animal shelters and rescues. That eventually led to photographing the pets of my close friends and family. I realized I had a true gift when my passion for editing photos was coupled with wrangling pets and creating a digital work of art regardless of the conditions or temperament of each pet.

Photo by Marie Photography

Remington and Jennifer.

As my journey continued, I received countless requests from pet parents hoping to have their senior or critically ill pets photographed. So, I founded Going with Grace© to honor and celebrate the lives of those pets.  Most sessions are booked when a pet parent is making one of their hardest decisions; the last act of selflessness we can give our precious pets. End-of-life pet photography comes with a myriad of emotions. I’m honored to help others find peace through imagery, but it comes with a small tinge of the pain a pet parent experiences, especially after they say goodbye.

It’s clear Remington helped me in my professional career. But, he eventually played a crucial role in my love life, too. I met the man of my dreams at a local dog park in 2012. Abby [a rescued Vizsla who sadly passed away in 2018 from Cushing’s Disease] made her way over to me and Remington. Abby’s dad followed her, and we struck up a conversation about pet photography. I conveniently gave him my business card to ‘check out my website,’ and the rest is history. Aaron told me when we first started dating that our love story was going to be just like the ones you see in fiction. Two years later, we were featured on the front page of the Kansas City Star and even interviewed by People Magazine, appearing in the 2014 “Amazing Pets” feature.

Nearly 2 decades later, I’m still living my personal and professional dreams. I’ve been blessed with a beautiful family, including 2 small children and an assortment of furry critters over the years. Remington will forever be my soul dog. I can’t imagine where my life would be had I not made that plunge into puppy parenthood.

Photo by Marie Photography

Remington fought chronic bronchitis, a heart murmur, brain and spinal degeneration and lived with a softball-sized lipoma on his chest for years.

Sadly, every beautiful story with our pets must also come to an end too soon. My first “baby” who I had over 15 years with, crossed the bridge a few days before my 43^rd birthday. For months I prayed I wouldn’t have to make the decision of when it was time to let him go, because I just couldn’t do it. His last gift to me was not putting me through that unbearable experience. 

Shortly after Remington passed away, my family found this heart-shaped rock on a trail in Branson, Missouri. My daughter said “Look, it’s a heart!” Through tears, I took a photo because even in sorrow, capturing memories is what I do.

A couple days later, I was scrolling through photos on my phone, and I noticed the classic side profile of a schnauzer on the bottom corner of the heart.

We brought back this stone to our home and placed it in our back yard. I look at it every day and think of Remington.

After our pet crosses to the other side, I truly believe they come back to visit us in spirit. Shortly after I said goodbye to Rem, I had a dream I was following a younger version of Remington in a crowd of people. I vividly remember putting my hand on his chest and no longer feeling his giant softball sized lipoma. I’ve always found dreams so fascinating, and I know he sent me this vision to comfort me.

I’m so thankful for the signs from my boy and I encourage everyone to look for signs from their loved ones who are no longer with us.

Being on the other side of pet loss has opened my eyes to the true depths of grief and how simply hearing from friends or complete strangers with caring words means so much.

As I process grief, I’ve learned even more the importance of photos and video. I had forgotten how young and carefree my soul dog was. Looking through old memories reminds me how old he was, how many years of wear his body had endured and that it really was his time to let go.

I’ve put wings on many dogs, but you were the absolute hardest. Fly high, my sweet boy. I love you always.