Izzy Teaches Us All How to Live A Life Well-Lived
For seventeen years, Izzy has shown Shawn and her family what it means to have a good day, one day at a time. In her youth, she greeted family members at the door, rebalancing and shifting the energy of even the worst day back to center with her exuberant jumps, demands for attention, and attentiveness to their needs. In her later years, she beckoned Shawn to slow down, be present by her side, and lean into what is.
And then Izzy’s senses came to life. Her feet in the cool water. Her nose catching the scents on the breeze, and then, that burger. She devoured it – every last bite.
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Shawn was already grieving the impending loss of Izzy when I met her. Knowing the loss would be catastrophic and having seen the writing on the wall, she’d begun to prepare. Shawn’s pain was palpable; a red, raw wound. Izzy wasn’t finished teaching what it means to live a life well-lived, though.
I asked, “What is Izzy’s best day like?”
Shawn answered effortlessly, “A picnic by the creek with hamburgers and ice cream.”
“Let’s do that. What would it mean to you to have Izzy’s best day?” I wondered.
“It would always be a reminder to slow down and be present,” she answered thoughtfully.
“It would always be a reminder to slow down and be present,”
By the time I arrived, Izzy had to be carried down the long walk to the creek. She was exhausted and lethargic. Shawn ached to see her struggle. She confessed, “I don’t even know if she’ll be interested in eating.” They descended the stairs to the creek. Shawn lowered Izzy into the shallow water. She spread out her blanket and produced a burger the size of Izzy’s head.
And then Izzy’s senses came to life. Her feet in the cool water. Her nose catching the scents on the breeze, and then, that burger. She devoured it – every last bite. Tiny snappy nibbles of gratitude. Contented, she sat between Shawn’s legs, looking out into the water. Pride and joy beamed from her face. Rejuvenated, she walked the entire path back home, slowly, but of her own accord.
No matter how close to the end it seems, seek out every tiny morsel of joy and devour it. Always, forever, and until the end.
We learned something that day. No matter how close to the end it seems, seek out every tiny morsel of joy and devour it. Always, forever, and until the end. My friend Michelle, an advocate for and rescuer of senior dogs, says something I carry with me daily, “Live until you die.” Not exist, but live. Izzy spent 17 years showing the humans she loved this truth. Shortly after her photo session, Izzy passed on, but her legacy leaves an indelible mark that will never be forgotten by those who loved her most.
Feature Your Senior Dog In Our Latest Coffee Table Book
This story was featured in the Woman’s Best Friend coffee table book series. All profits from the sales of the book go to a rescue. The project has raised over $25,000 for rescues. Lux Summit Studio’s current coffee table book project is Old Friends: How Our Senior Dogs Teach Us To Live Our Best Lives. (See the trailer below.) Old Friends proudly supports Monkey’s House Dog Hospice and Sanctuary in New Jersey.
Submissions are open to feature senior dogs and their humans in Old Friends. Would you like to celebrate your bond with your senior dog and honor their legacy? Click the button to learn more about the project and submit to participate.
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Kristen Kidd is founder and co-owner of Lux Summit Studio in North Wales, Pa. She specializes in pet and family photography. She and her husband David, along with their two rescue dogs Hudson and Nito, call Lansdale home in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Together their full service photography studio serves Bucks County, Chester County, Philadelphia County as well as the tristate area, including New York, Maryland and Delaware.
Upon inquiry, Lux Summit Studio also provides destination sessions nationally to locations such as Boulder, Colorado, Charleston, South Carolina, San Diego, California, Orlando, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.