Dogs are amazing creatures who make our lives better. Many of us would be lost without our dogs, but Finn the Vizsla inspired Ann to change her life dramatically. Natalie of Good Morrow Photography took these family photos of Ann, her brother, James, and Ann’s Vizslas, Finn and Whedon. 
From Natalie: “Ann wanted pictures with her ‘boys.’ Her brother James was in town visiting from San Diego for the weekend. It was the weekend of the anniversary of their mother’s death three years before. They celebrate her life together every year at this time.
Ann and her husband tried for five years to have a baby. When her mother became ill, they decided that they would no longer pursue pregnancy — making her mom’s death and the grief that followed very complicated. These Vizslas are her babies, her children, her forever toddlers. The importance of capturing Finn and Ann… oh wow… These two have a bond unlike any other. Ann adopted Finn in the winter of 2007 and brought him home on the first day of Spring. It was clear when Finn entered her life that things needed to be different, and he was going to be a pivotal part in the changes.
After enjoying an amazing Chicago summer with her pup, Ann began to question what was fundamentally ‘wrong’ with her. She just wasn’t happy. She would wear her big dark sunglasses to work to hide the tears that overcame her each morning. Spending time outdoors with Finn was changing her… she could sense that there was something off but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Until the day in October, she took a day off of work.
It was one of those warm, delicious fall midwestern days, and she couldn’t wait to get Finn out to the Prairie Reclamation Area to run around. She usually had to walk the 30 min there in the dark and never fully got to enjoy all things, Finn, since they needed to hurry home so she could catch the bus north. The moment Ann unclipped Finn’s leash, a wave of knowing swept over her. He was running through tall grasses – the brush was rustling in his wake; he was bounding, head popping up every now and then. And she knew… if she touched Finn at that moment, she would FEEL true joy.
Finn was doing what he was bred to do. He was in his natural habitat. God made this beautiful creature, and he gave him special gifts, talents, instincts; and he was doing it. Finn was fulfilling all that was meant for him, and Ann realized she wasn’t.
She needed to be a teacher. An elementary school teacher and she needed to leave her husband. This was Earth Shattering. Exactly one month later, Ann and Finn left the apartment and never went back. Ann ended up back home in West Michigan. She got a job as a 5th-grade teacher – the same position and school and even room that had been available exactly seven years before – the same principal had inquired with Ann’s mom in the summer of 2002 if Ann would be interested in applying. It’s almost like Ann got a do-over.
There were a lot of tears and pain, but she is better for it. And it’s all because of Finn.”
Has a dog ever inspired you to change your life?
If you are hoping to add a Vizsla to your life, consider adopting one!
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About Good Morrow Photography: Based in Arvada, Colorado, Natalie specializes in family, child, and pet photography.
Gorgeous! All of you!
Love it AK! My cat had the same kind of life hanging effect on me… was really hard to lose him after almost 20 years! #unconditionallove XOXOXO
I am very sorry for your loss and hope the good memories help ease the pain.
Such great pictures of the dogs and their humans. I never knew those dogs were called vizslas. I need to have a photo shoot with my guys but until then I will post my own on instagram.
I’ll have to check them out!
The dogs are beautiful. I already have two rescued dogs are home, otherwise I would be looking into getting one of these, so adorable
We always adopted our animals from the local shelters. They have all been wonderful animals and glad we adopted them and saved them from the shelter.
So sweet. Pets can help us so much! Dogs haven’t helped me, but my cats certainly have. They can be finicky, but you know they love us!
I almost cried reading Ann’s story. To truly find happiness (and make the changes to get there) is something many don’t ever achieve.
I love all of these photos. Such happiness in these precious moments.
Without a dog in my life I am lost, the house is empty and I become reclusive, reading her story makes so much sense to me, the photos say it all, those smiles, and her pups are just stunning
You really selected a great meadow that showed the dog’s coloring so well. The dogs look beautiful agasint the backdrop of the meadow field.
Your pictures are always great! And this is definitely a beautiful family!
What a powerful story. I truly believe that pets can and do help us through so many aspects of our lives. They are always there for us when we need them and even when we don’t know that we need them.
This is an incredible story and the photos are wonderful!! I feel the same way about dogs. I never had children and my dog is my baby!! They give us so much love and bring so much joy into our lives!!
Finn and Whedon are so cute! They look so happy in those photos.
They are such adorable dogs. And they kind of remind me of our dog in my hometown. Missed those dogs back home.
Such gorgeous photos!! Such a great shoot with the pups. Love it!
Amazing story, Loved reading the way you write the post, Sure Finn helped Ann in making changes in her life. Your photography also beautiful love it.
She went through a lot and thank God she is in the place and job she wanted. Love all of these photos, they look so happy!
Thanks for sharing a powerful story. These photos are beautiful, very talented photographer.
I’m not married and I don’t have kids so my dog is my baby too! I love these photos and I would love to get pics made of me and my baby one day!!
If you ever need help finding a photographer, let me know!
Such beautiful babies. And the photography and the choice of backdrop are amazing as always.