Heartwork for Haiti

I am at a loss for words.  The total devastation and loss to so many in the country of Haiti is almost incomprehensible.

How can such a poor, impoverished country endure yet another tragedy such as this?

My father in law, Frank Chauvin, set up an orphanage called,  Le Foyer des Filles de Dieu, for girls aged three to 18, in Port-au-Prince, many years ago and has been instrumental in helping and saving many lives in Haiti.

I feel so  helpless and have chosen to help in the only way I know how, with my photography.  From now until the end of February I will donate $100.00 each for every session I do.  All funds I raise  will go directly to the orphanage.    It is my hope that many families in the area will respond and help me to raise as much money as possible for the orphanage and people of Port-au-Prince.

So, please, if you were considering booking a session or would like to pre-buy your session for this spring or summer, contact me at 519-980-7411 or angie@angiechauvin.com.

Please, help me to help them.

You can read more about Frank Chauvin at http://www.cbc.ca/canada/windsor/story/2010/01/15/windsor-chauvin-orphanage-100115.html

His charity is registered with the Canadian Government : Holy Name of Mary Food Fund.  Tax receipts are available.

A kitten named Oscar…

Happy Holidays to all of you!

This blog is dedicated to a sweet little furbaby named Oscar and all of the beautiful creatures who are or have ever been at our animal shelter.

I have had the privilege of working with dozens of shelter pets over the past 18 months, but this kitten is extraordinary.   Oscar is an absolute joy!  He loved being my tiny little model and almost fell asleep as I worked. He played, purred, snuggled and played some more!

Oscar was brought to the shelter, a tiny kitten all alone, apparently rejected by his mom.  He was placed in a caring  foster home where he initially was very unsure and wary.  But with the patience and love of his great foster mom, Oscar the Grouch, soon became Oscar the Adorable!

Our shelter is very fortunate to have wonderful people who volunteer as foster families and give furbabies like Oscar a second chance at life.

Kudos to all of you!

I believe that there is something very special and unique about each and every shelter pet.  Each of them deserves to love and to be loved.  Each of them deserves to be safe and warm and have an advocate who will be their voice in the world.  The creatures at our shelter have so much to give and ask for nothing in return, only love.

This year, if you have room in your home and heart, please consider giving one of the shelter angels a new family and home.  Or if you can, please donate to the expansion fund.  Every single dollar makes a difference in their lives.

ps. Yes, Oscar IS available for adopt at the Windsor Essex Humane Society 🙂

www.windsorhumane.org

Aussie Fun Day!

Happy Sunday everyone!

No, I didn’t just get back from a trip to Australia, (although, that would be nice!). But this was definitely the next best thing.

My family and I were invited to attend a totally fun FUNDAY to benefit the Michigan Australian Shepherd Rescue.  It was such an “Aussisome” day and there was so many great things to do and watch.  Agility, duck herding, fantastic raffle with amazing prizes – (my daughters luck won us a beautiful basket filled with tons of doggie toys and treats).

The lunch was delicious, the company warm and friendly and the canines, incredible.

Our rescue Aubree had the time of her life and thought she was in Aussie Heaven!  She ran like the wind with dozens of fellow Aussies and absolutely loved the agility.  The weather held out for us and I got to capture some amazing, wondrous moments at a wonderful event!

Thanks Morna and the ARM for your warm hospitality and for doing all that you do to save these sweet sweet furbabies.

Many more images to follow soon on my website.  Special thanks to my talented son who also shot lots of the action!

UPDATE:

~*~ The images are up online in a private gallery – please email me for the password ~*~

angie@angiechauvin.com

Please feel free to leave a comment!  I ♥ feedback!

Artsy capture.

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” – Maya Angelou

I have often posted about how blessed I am to be able to do something that I LOVE and enjoy so immensely.  And I know that to be able to give back to my community, especially to those who can’t help themselves or speak for themselves, is the most rewarding of all.  It was a dream of mine to be able to put on this Pet Pix event and raise money for such a deserving cause as this.  This past Saturday, that dream became a reality.  I am so very proud.

I am very happy to report that Pet Pix  was a HUGE success!  In just 7 hours and about 33 pet minishoots later, and because of the kindness and generosity of  the people in my community, I was able to raise over $800.00 for our Humane Society’s Pumpkin fund for seriously injured and neglected animals they rescue.

It was such a fun day!  I met so many wonderful, kind, animal loving people from our community.

My sincerest, heartfelt thank you goes out to all caring people  who donated, Linda and her wonderful family at Pet Depot, my beautiful, giving children who helped me before and during the event,  and to the Windsor Star, The Tribune and the SmartShopper for advertising my event.  You guys ROCK~!

Because of your generousity, helpless companions such as Stealth and Hooch will be able to get the vet care they need when they need it.

Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!

Here are just a few of the wonderful pets I photographed at Pet Pix:

Yup, this is my puppy, meeting a much tinier puppy!

My fundraiser to Help the Helpless

Good Morning,

I am very thrilled to announce a very special day happening this Saturday here in Tecumseh.  I will be on location at Linda’s Pet Depot, doing mini sessions just for your pets!  For a donation of just $25, you will receive a very special 8×10  pet portrait.

100% of the proceeds will be given to the Humane Society’s Pumpkin fund.

Since I began volunteering my photography at the shelter last summer, I have been very  affected by the stories and the plight of many sweet, helpless animals who are fortunate to be rescued by the Humane Society.  A few months ago, I   was asked  to photograph two very sad and horribly neglected dogs,  Stealth and Hooch after they were seized and saved by the officers at the shelter.  It shook me to my core.  To witness this type of neglect and abuse of innocent, helpless beings was shocking to say the least.  I also had the opportunity to photograph another wonderful dog, Timmos, who also was terribly neglected and hurt and also  saved by the  shelter, in part due to the donations  in a special Pumpkin Fund.

And so now it is my turn, to do more, to help more and to change the outcome,  and save the lives of  helpless animals.

I know I can count on the support and kindness of the people in this county to come out and join me for a day of fun and photos this Saturday!  I’d love to meet you and your furbaby!

Here are the details:

And you can comment with any questions you may have.

Thank you in advance for helping me help the helpless!

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears. ~ Arabian Proverb

I LOVE my job.  Have I mentioned that??  I ♥ that I get to meet incredible people, children and animals!  I ♥ that I am able to give back doing something I am passionate about! Love, ♥, LOVE it!!!

On Sunday, I met two of the sweetest, most gentle horses ever!  This was a first for me, and it’s a first for the Windsor Essex Humane Society as well!  Horses up for adoption!!!  And what wonderful horses they are.  A very bonded pair of mother and mare.  Perfect for Mother’s day!

Kudos to the kind family who opened up their hearts  to give these majestic creatures a temporary home!

Thanks Rachel, Kate, Laura and Jillian for your help!  Too FUN!

“The joy of my house tiptoes from room to room on silent paws.” ~ Author Unknown

I am so blessed.  I know, I  write this all the time,  I just have always been able to recognize that I am truly blessed.  I am blessed to be able to give back using my camera, a bit of talent, but really  just a lot of passion.  I have always said that I get back so much more than I give.  And I have made some amazing friends along the way.  This is a true blessing.  My great friends at the shelter knew about my dear dog Genny passing away last weekend.  Somehow they knew that a cuddle of kittens would do me good.  And how it did!

These spunky little babies were so lovable, so full of abounding curiosity and innocence, how could they  not warm your heart and feed your soul?

Meet the “M” family!  Madisyn, Mason, Matthew and Marc!  They are just 7 weeks old and looking for forever homes.

It’s a great time to open your heart and home to a new member of the family.  Seize the Day!

Kittens are good Soul Food!

Animals are such agreeable friends – They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. ~George Eliot

At the end of a very difficult weekend, I was blessed  to meet these sweet creatures, who brought much sunshine into my life.  I hope that you will consider making one of them part of your family.  They truly deserve a loving new family and I can promise you, the gifts you will receive from a shelter pet are far more than you would ever imagine.  They will repay you over and over and over.    I will feature a new pet each day this week.  Thanks to my great kids,  and Brooke and Jean for their help 🙂

Today’s gift  is an amazing shepherd named “Journey”.

Journey is so playful and full of love – she will make a wonderful furbaby to a special family.  Isn’t she gorgeous?

Hamming it up for my camera:

****************Stay tuned!  Another awesome pet tomorrow!! **************

♥ Pretty Potpourri of Pets ♥

We have a very nice potpourri of pets for you this week.  My daughters and I were thrilled to meet two very sweet and adorable kittens, “Havanna”  and “Mittens”, a beautiful kitty  “Print”,  and sweet guinea pig named “Princess” at the shelter this past weekend.

It’s always great fun to come up with new creative ways to show off these cuties.  I aim for portraiture that is soft, gentle and lovable and captures each creature’s true soul.   It was very hard to resist the temptation to bring them all home!

If you’re looking for a sweet companion, please visit the shelter today.  There are lots of wonderful pets looking for their forever families.

“To err is human, to forgive, canine.” – Unknown

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope all is well in your world.

This week there are 2 wonderful dogs for Pet of the Week.  First is a very cute, playful pup named Tyson.   He was found wandering the streets alone and cold.   Tyson is only 10 months old and has the cutest ears I’ve ever seen!  He is super friendly and active.

And next, another black lab mix, Nitro.  Nitro is 2 years old and was abandoned and left in a house without food or water for several days!  He was rescued after an anonymous tip to the shelter.  Check out the air!  This boy can jump for treats!

Please visit these and all the great dogs at the shelter this week!  It’s a great time to adopt a new family member!!

Have a great week!