Three kids spanning ten years in age could not have asked for a better dog to share in their childhood. We adored her. Somewhere around age eight or nine she developed a lump on the back of her neck. Despite the vet’s claim that it wasn’t cancerous, Dad and Mom had the lump removed. By the summer of 1991, Cinnamon had slowed down considerably. Her last few weeks with us were spent almost entirely on our tiled basement floor…the coolest place in the house on a hot summer day. I remember a conversation with my mom after she had taken Cinnamon to the vet one afternoon. She explained to me that an x-ray showed one giant growth on her stomach and the rest of her covered in little tumors. It was, most definitely, Cancer. Almost exactly ten years after that photo of me with my brand new puppy had been taken it was time to say goodbye….Twenty years later, and I’m still tearing up thinking about that very day.

On Monday, August 1, eight individuals will be chosen for a reduced priced photo session with one of four Twin Cities pet photographers (myself included!). Each photo session will include a complimentary mini-book, and 100% of the session fee will be donated to the National Canine Cancer Foundation. I am so incredibly proud to be working with three amazing peers on this project. Please, please, please stop by Twin Cities Smile for a Cure and share your experience with Canine Cancer by Sunday, July 31. You will not regret having gorgeous photos of your loved ones in five, ten, or even twenty years, and knowing that you helped others in the process will make those memories even more meaningful.

Smile for a Cure is a nationwide collaboration of pet photographers focused on raising money for Canine Cancer research. The organization was started by North Carolina pet photographer, Nunthany Johnson in memory of her dog, Max, who passed away in 2009. If you are a photographer wanting more information on how to participate, please visit Smileforacure.org.

I am happy to say that after a visit to the doctor, an x-ray, and some anti-inflammatory meds, we’re seeing our girl return back to “normal”. Yesterday afternoon when I came home from work I was greeted at the door without cries of pain, and with lots of sloppy Newf kisses. My heart was breaking just two days seeing her in pain, and last night I found nothing annoying about having my big furry shadow nudging her way between me and the counter while I made dinner in the kitchen.

P.S. Are you seeing that crazy hair on top of her head?!–Wow.

Phaneuf is in so many ways a perfect fit for Ryan and I. She and I however, do not see eye to eye on our preferred weather. While I love a nice, sunny summer day, this is her time of year, and nothing makes me like winter more than seeing her play in the snow. I just. plain. love it.

I am so glad that I fought my urge to curl up on the couch with a blanket, and I am so, so glad to have these photos of my snow-loving girl!