SRO NOTE

You may have wondered “What’s up with all the Pet Portraits?” Indeed in a world full of tragedies like Hurricane Katrina and the sadness that has ensued, why am I focusing on something so silly as making pictures of dogs and cats?

Well there are several issues at play.

One, I have been severely affected by all the news. The people displaced by this disaster could easily be Me. I, too, live on minimum income. I survive due to Disability from the government so I wonder if a natural calamity hit me (which it easily could), what would I do to survive? The things I have going for me seem to be that I am white and live in an “upscale” area. Other than that, I could easily be on the news or Oprah. I would never leave Polly alone. I would grab what cash I could, my computer and Polly and hope for the best.

So I do what I can. I can’t donate money or time so I try and make those who can happy. At least for a moment, the moment when they see their own pets recognized and appreciated. I try and see something where others can’t right now.

I don’t take this lightly. Every picture I get of someone’s pet I look over and over in hopes of understanding what each person sees and makes them love each animal. I start a picture, set it aside and look at it later. What else is there I haven’t seen yet?

It’s an effort of love. Love for the bond that connects us to the creatures we’ve chosen to take care of and nurture. Love of the people who’ve sent pictures to me. Love of what glues us to the fabric of life between creatures living on this planet right now.



9:03:08 PM    sro home /