It is amazing how having a dog has changed my life for the better! These little creatures come into our lives and change its direction so quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I am loving the change! As a matter of fact I am the type of person who thrives on change. I think change helps us to grow and discover new ways and new things. How boring would it be if we were always doing the same things over and over?
My husband and I went to Florida in 2014 to visit family for the holidays and ended up coming back home with a cute Maltipoo puppy. It was my best Christmas gift ever!!!! Have you seen the video on YOUTUBE about some people getting a puppy as a gift and they all start crying with joy? “PUPPY BRING TEARS OF JOY” Well, that was totally me when I saw my adorable and tiny four pound puppy for the first time. Joy indeed! Happiness overload! I think puppies do have that effect on people. I am definitely not an unusual case, right?!
The past two years with Shanti (yes, that is her name!) have been really awesome! She has changed my life in so many ways I did not expect. One way is that now I have finally decided on a photography niche. I have been a photographer for a little over five years now, and the whole time I was a “do it all” photographer, meaning I could not decide on which type of photography to focus.
Well, all of that changed after I found my inspiring muse, Shanti! I started photographing her almost every day and enjoyed every minute of it. Then I realized that this is it, dogs are the subjects I would like to photograph over and over and over. Yes, now I am proudly specializing as a pet photographer! If you had told me a couple of years ago that pet photography would be my specialization, I would probably have said that you were crazy and out of your mind. Now I cannot see myself photographing anything else other than pets. It is fun, joyful, and the most important it comes naturally to me!
There are some other ways that Shanti has changed my life. Just to name a few…
I have a best friend and a companion! You see, when you work from home, sometimes it can be lonely and boring, but now Shanti keeps me company and fills my day with pure joy!
- I laugh so much more than I used to! My husband says that to me all the time and it is true! Shanti is adorably funny and is a super happy dog. Even on those rare days when I am in a bad mood she makes me laugh! Just to look at her cute little face puts a smile on mine!
- I get a lot of exercise! We walk three times a day for at least twenty minutes. She enjoys the walk and so do I. I also enjoy the pounds melting off of me. Since having my dog I have lost fifteen Yay!!!!!!! Okay, I am not going to lie, a little diet has also helped with the weight loss, but walking so much has definitely helped! 🙂
- I meet new people! It is amazing how having a dog brings people together! It is much easier to connect with other people because we are sharing a common interest. Everyone says hello when I am walking Shanti! My neighbors and even total strangers strike up a conversation more often than ever! Because of Shanti I have met so many friendly and interesting people, plus I have met a few new clients, too!
- I am happier! I appreciate every little thing that life has to offer and I don’t sweat over small stuff anymore. Life is fun! Life is good!
Dogs are such wonderful creatures! I am so grateful for my fur baby. I can truly say that thanks to Shanti I am a better version of myself. She is my inspiration and I know this is only the beginning of a new life, a new career niche, and a new me.
Has a dog changed your life in any way? I would love to hear your story in the comments below…
