Happy Tails: Kira and Maddie

Whenever I get a submission from a new-to-me photographer, its a little like Forrest Gumps’ box of chocolates.  I never know what to expect, but I can’t wait to find out.   When I saw the subject line for today’s feature, I was definitely intrigued:  “Great Dane in the Tub.” What I saw was even better than I imagined!  Nashville dog photographer Chelsey Somohano of Fetch Dog Photography captured this great session that makes me wonder why washing a Maltese in the sink is occasionally a challenge.

Especially when I found out that the dog washer was weeks away from turning 5 years old!  Kira is a seven year old Great Dane that was adopted from Dames for Danes in Nashville.

From Wendy:  “We have had Kira for three years. Peyton was only two years old at the time. When Kira came to us she was already four years old, and had been an owner surrender to the rescue. The home that she came from gave her plenty of love during the first part of her life, but during and after a nasty divorce Kira quickly became too much for the family to handle. The family decided that it would be in Kira’s best interest to be with another family, and as sad as that sounds I could not be more happy because we all fell in love with her. And Peyton and her hit it off right from the start.”

What’s even more awesome than this little girl and her sweet Great Dane…  she has two! Although as Chelsey pointed out, only one Great Dane can fit in the tub at a time.

From Wendy:  “About a year later we were contacted by Dames For Danes and asked if we would be willing to foster another Dane. We agreed to give it a shot but honestly we weren’t sure what to expect with two GIANT dogs in our home. When Maddie (the one with black spots on her face) came to us she was nine months old. She had been one of about twenty Danes that were rescued from a breeder raid in Knoxville by the ASPCA. From what I understand, the living conditions that these poor babies were living in were horrible, and the only thing they were getting fed was kitchen scraps and molded bread. Luckily the ASPCA asked Dames For Danes for help and the Dames were able to bring the puppies back to health, and ultimately Maddie into our home. When it came time for us to let Maddie go to another family for a permanent adoption, we couldn’t let her go. We were what they call “foster failures” in the rescue world. We ended up adopting Maddie permanently into our home which then made us multiple Dane owners. People thought we were crazy taking in two GIANT dogs. But I think that is because there is so much misconception about the breed itself. Danes are called Gentle Giants for a reason. They are never hyper. They are lazy dogs who simply want to cuddle with you and give you their undying love and affection. We could not be more happy to have them with us. Our family would not be complete without them.”

Personally I think this last photo belongs in Life Magazine!   This session speaks volumes to me because its so real and beautiful, capturing moments that might slip away from memory with the passage of time.

You can see more of Kira and Maddie on Chelsey’s blog.

About Fetch Nashville:  Based in Nashville, TN, Chelsey Somohano is a dog photographer available for portrait and lifestyle sessions as well as commercial commissions locally and nationwide.  A dog lover her entire life, she loves capturing the unique personalities of her subjects.