Recently, Maggie and Matt lost Rosco. He got sick fast, and goodbyes were said quickly. Maggie texted me this week, asking me for a favor. She told me about Rosco. She said she knew that some shots get nixed during the culling and editing phase, but missing him terribly, she wondered if I could include all the shots of him I had.

I am so happy we took these photographs. I believe Maggie and Matt feel the same. I know this is clearly a different scenario, but it reminded me so much of my grandfather passing away. I’d recently shot a few photos of him while we were visiting. And suddenly, those photos were invaluable, were so powerfully precious. It had me thinking as well about this excellent and emotional article: Photographs are More Than Paper. Because preserving those we love is so significant. It’s more important than we realize. Whether it is a pet, or a parent… these photographs are more than a fleeting memory. They’re a tangible way we can hang onto those we love, and the memories we’ve created with them.

As I write these words, I am thinking about Maggie and Matt’s upcoming celebrating of love. I know it will be painful not to have Rosco present. I can imagine how challenging it is to think about this next chapter of their lives without him. But I can’t help feeling like Rosco’s passing is an important part of this immense and transformational change in their life. A new beginning awaits them in a new place. Rosco will follow them there, in photographs, in memories. Amazing things are ahead. I hope they sprint towards this new chapter like Rosco bounded towards the cliffs, enthusiastically, fearlessly, and with joy.