Guest Guest66881 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 A photographer has captured the heartbreaking last moments owners share with their dying pets in a tender new photo series. Kristin Zabawa, 60, a former zoo keeper turned photographer, visits terminally ill pets and completes the shoots as a final memory for the owners. She will go to wherever the owner and pet feel most comfortable to do the shoots, usually their homes. +13 Kristin Zabawa visits the homes of pet owners to document their final moments with their pets. Pictured is a young girl with her terminally ill cat +13 She said the popularity of her 'SoulSessions' was growing. Here a woman is pictured with her dying cat +13 Shawn, a terminally ill dog is pictured as he rests on a sofa alongside his owner Lulu She said: 'I walk through the doorway with a completely open mind and heart, and accept the moments that are offered. 'Some feel more comfortable with a little more suggestion, some just experience their loving moments with their animal and I disappear to them. [h=2][/h] 'When someone contacts me to book a shoot it means that they realise that their animal family will soon die. 'Some people say the idea of SoulSessions is very sad. However, I don't feel that is a criticism. Sadness and emotion is a way to work through grief. 'I present this as a way to celebrate the loving bonds. During a shoot there's laughter as well as tears. 'A perfect image is one which speaks to the person's heart. When someone tells me that their animal's personality and soul shines through the images, that is perfect.' +13 Pictured is dying pet dog Jocie and her owner Jan. Kristin Zabawa says the photo shoots are taken wherever her subjects feel most comfortable +13 Only a few months after the death of Jocie, Jan's poodle Marie (pictured) was diagnosed with cancer. Kristin Zabawa was called back to her home to take another series of photos +13 Kristin Zabawa said her shoot with Marie and Jan (pictured) was memorable because it was very non-verbal +13 Cat owner Deedee enjoys the final moments she has at home with her dying cat Mickey +13 She says the photoshoots are a way to celebrate the loving bonds between owners and their pets. Pictured is terminally ill cat Mickey One shoot which has stayed with her was with a woman named Jan and her dogs, Jocie and Marie. She said: 'They had all shared many years together and the bonds were very strong, but Jocie had been diagnosed with cancer. 'It was a lovely session - very non-verbal. Jan needed few words to just be with Jocie. 'Then earlier April, just four months after she and Marie had lost Jocie, Jan contacted me again, this time it was for Marie, who'd just been diagnosed with cancer. 'Marie was deaf and Jan communicated with her using signs. Jan had adopted a puppy, Blu, earlier in the year. As the older dog, Marie had been teaching Blu many dog lessons. 'Blu, being a puppy, was very playful during the session at first but as it progressed he became very quiet and just watched Marie.' +13 Dying pet dog Magoo lies the grass as he enjoys his final moments in the company of his owner +13 Magoo's owner Trish enjoys her dogs' company as she celebrates her bond with Magoo +13 The pictures are not exclusive to just cats and dogs - here a horse owner spends time with her dying pet +13 Dog owner Carol looks into the eyes of her dying pet Harry. The photographs are a way of helping owners come to terms with their pets' deaths +13 A pet cat named Dale is given a final scratch and pat as his owner prepares herself for his death Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3068456/Heartbreaking-photographs-dying-pets-held-owners-life-ebbs-away-help-people-overcome-grief-losing-beloved-animals.html#ixzz3ZGKCIbIm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest66881 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Really sad but i would do it, we take our pets pictures all the time why not one last good bye together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindor Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 That looks so much better than the 2 experiences I had with my cats, very distressed sitting in a cold room at the vets..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Not for me. I wouldn't want my last moments captured in that awful sad time. I'd never be able to look at those photos they'd be too painful. When I think of anyone Ive lost animal or human I want to remember them in happy times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest66881 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 We lost one of our russell's the other week (not going into details here) i never got to say good bye or anything broke my heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 We lost one of our russell's the other week (not going into details here) i never got to say good bye or anything broke my heart. Aw that's so sad. I'm sorry for your loss Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindor Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 We lost one of our russell's the other week (not going into details here) i never got to say good bye or anything broke my heart. Sorry to hear that Paul........:hug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Sorry for your loss Paul. In regards to the article, I'm afraid it's not something I would want or something that reminded me of the pain my furry one was feeling at that point in life. I'd rather have photos done whilst they are well and get them framed on the wall as something to remember them by and the fun times we shared. I want to be able to look at it and smile, not look and see the suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Sorry to hear about your loss, Paul xx I would do this too, though I'm definitely teary eyed after looking through those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 I am a big pet lover, my pets are my children, but no, this is not for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Les Patterson Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Bloody hell Paul, while reading your post a strong wind must have blown grit into my eyes, can't stop them from watering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Some people will try and make money out of anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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