It took me close to two solid days to gather and officially archive 9 years of photos and video of Lilly. I’m so grateful – now that she is gone – to have countless images of our life together. You’ll always find spontaneous moments to capture, but here is a short list of must-have dog photos and video.
1. At least one good photo per year of you and your dog together
2. Puppy photos or early post-adoption photos
3. Photos of your dog playing, especially with fav toys
4. Photos of your dog sleeping
5. Photos of your dog looking inquisitive
6. Photos of your dog at her favorite places and with her fav people
7. Photos of your dog with her canine / feline contemporaries
8. Video clips of your dog playing
9. Video clips of your dog doing tricks
10. Video clips of your dog running, especially running toward you
Once Lilly became so sick, I knew that I would use the video clip of her running through our middle pasture at the end of her memorial tribute video. For me, it’s both a reminder of her original vigor and a dream of being reunited in some way, at some point.
Can you think of anything to add to this list of must-have dog photos and videos? Add your ideas in the comments section below.
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P.S. We’re close to having everything worked out for the memorial fundraiser. We hope to launch the campaign and begin accepting donations by Valentine’s Day.
I love all your photos and videos of you and Lilly. And great reminder. Through the years, my camera has become my constant ride-along.
Some good advice. I have very few pictures of Viva and me together, it was mostly me behind the camera. I tried to make up for it at the end, and shoot some additional photos’, but I am not happy for these, because of her hurt nose. Maybe later, I can be glad for these too.
Great list. There can never be enough expressive photos of our dogs.
I’m so glad you included one of you and your dog – I think that is something that often gets overlooked. I know that some of my most treasured photos are of me with my beloved pups.
What a wonderful idea…I have lots of videos and pictures of my dogs within the pack (I am a dog walker) and some special ones but only a couple of the dogs and me…need to take more for sure and special ones of them separately and together! I bawl like a baby every time I watch your video and see your pictures Roxanne, I love the soul bond you and lily had, oh I can relate to that! Thinking of you and always praying for comfort and peace for you, thank you soooooooooooo much for sharing your life with us!
Shelley xo
All great suggestions from the post and commenters. I would add that getting some professional photos of you/your family and your dog is also helpful. The quality of my camera isn’t that good, and the professional pet photographers can get your dogs to do some fun things, and can really make a difference.
I also agree with getting pics of your dog in all sorts of moods, looks, and action is a great idea.
I love these pics of you and Lilly!
You have a great collection with Lilly. I’m so glad.
I’d add to back everything up. Multiple times. When your dog is still alive, you can always take more photos… but there comes a time when you can’t.
P.S. For some reason, Feedly is not showing that you have a new post. I don’t know what’s up with that.
A great list…can never have too many photos, as far as i’m concerned!
Oops….. Lily lived FIVE more years after being diagnosed with bone cancer.
Those are all terrific suggestions. I would add taking holiday and special occasion photos of your dog: birthdays, Halloween. Christmas, etc. When my American Bulldog, Lily, was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2007, I panicked because I realized that i had been so busy taking care of her any my other 3 dogs that i had not spent a lot of time taking photos of them. I hired a professional photographer to take a photo of me and Lily and my other 3 dogs the day before she was scheduled to have limb spare surgery that would permanently change her appearance. (She later had that leg amputated when the cancer reappeared.) Lily went on to live more years and I began to dress her up for every holiday and post the photos on FB. Most of my friends loved the photos and a few friends thought I was crazy. I lost Lily to a different cancer, lymphoma, in June of 2012 and I treasure every one of the holiday photos I took.
OMG this really rocked my boat….I have no pictures or me and my precious Callie (13) together…cause I’m always taking the pictures…Makes me want to cry! But I have always loved you pictures and post on Lilly! <3
Great reminders here. Loved the one about “looking inquisitive.” Will pass on to my daughter who just got a puppy. Thanks.