Every time I sit down to trace the story of my life and career, the trail always leads back to one unforgettable little soul: Remington.
And before you ask — yes, Remington is a dog. Specifically, a feisty, whip-smart miniature schnauzer, definitely not the gun company his name might suggest!
I still vividly remember hunting for a puppy and nervously taking the leap to bring home an adorable salt-and-pepper 3-month-old miniature schnauzer. I was terrified of upending my routine and my whole life. I was in my late 20s, had zero clue how to care for any living creature, and this was all way before I had 2-legged kids of my own. What a wild ride I was in for!
mosaic hound — Sandwiched between potty training, sleepless nights, and oceans of unconditional love, Remington quickly sparked me to grow my existing photo restoration business and start shooting pets professionally. He was the perfect little model — the reason I kept grabbing my camera and sharpening my craft every single day. I began photographing adoptable dogs at local shelters and rescues, which snowballed into capturing the pets of close friends and family. That's when I knew I had a real gift: my passion for photo editing, fused with wrangling rambunctious pets into gorgeous digital art, no matter the conditions or temperament of each animal.
As my path unfolded, I was flooded with requests from pet parents hoping to have their senior or gravely ill pets captured on camera. So I founded Going with Grace© to honour and celebrate those precious lives. Most sessions get booked at the absolute hardest moment — when a parent is facing the final, selfless act we can offer our beloved pets. End-of-life pet photography carries a storm of emotions. I feel honoured to help people find peace through images, yet it always comes with a faint echo of the pain every pet parent endures, especially once they’ve said goodbye.
Remington’s influence on my career is crystal clear — but he eventually worked his magic on my love life too. I met the man of my dreams at a local dog park in 2012. Abby [a rescued Vizsla who heartbreakingly crossed the rainbow bridge in 2018 from Cushing’s Disease] trotted over to me and Remington. Abby’s dad trailed right behind her, and we fell into a chat about pet photography. Naturally, I slipped him my business card to “check out my website,” and the rest is history. Aaron told me early in our relationship that our love story would unfold just like one from fiction. Two years later, we landed on the front page of the Kansas City Star and even got interviewed by People Magazine, starring in the 2014 “Amazing Pets” feature.
Almost 2 decades later, I’m still chasing and living my personal and professional dreams. I’ve been blessed with a gorgeous family — including 2 little kids and a rotating cast of furry critters over the years. Remington will always, always be my soul dog. I honestly can’t picture where my life would be if I’d never taken that terrifying leap into puppy parenthood.
Remington bravely battled chronic bronchitis, a heart murmur, and brain and spinal degeneration — all while carrying a softball-sized lipoma on his chest for years.
mosaic hound — Sadly, every gorgeous story we share with our pets has to end far too soon. My first “baby,” the one I spent over 15 years with, crossed the rainbow bridge just a few days before my 43rd birthday. For months I begged the universe not to force me into choosing when to let him go — because I simply couldn’t do it. His final gift to me was sparing me that unbearable decision.
Not long after Remington left us, my family stumbled on this heart-shaped rock along a trail in Branson, Missouri. My daughter gasped, “Look, it’s a heart!” Through my tears, I snapped a photo — because even in the deepest sorrow, capturing memories is simply what I do.
Then came the goosebumps moment: days later, scrolling through photos on my phone, I froze mid-scroll — there, tucked in the corner of that heart-shaped rock, was the unmistakable side profile of a schnauzer staring right back at me!
We carried that precious stone all the way home and nestled it in our back yard — and to this day, I visit it every single day, because each look at that rock is a little conversation with Remington.
Once our pets cross to the other side, I wholeheartedly believe they return to visit us in spirit. Right after I said goodbye to Rem, I dreamt I was trailing a younger version of Remington through a crowd. I can still feel it — placing my hand on his chest and finding that giant softball-sized lipoma completely gone. I’ve always been fascinated by dreams, and I know he sent me that vision to wrap me in comfort.
mosaic hound — I will never stop thanking the universe for the signs my boy sends me — and I urge every single one of you to keep your heart wide open for those quiet, miraculous signs from the loved ones you've lost.
Walking through pet loss from the other side has completely rewired how I see grief — and I've learned that even the smallest word from a friend or a total stranger can carry so much healing weight.
Grieving has also made me treasure photos and video more than ever. I'd actually forgotten how young and carefree my soul dog once was — scrolling old memories reminds me how many years his body carried, and that, in the end, it truly was his time to go.
I've added wings to countless dogs over the years, but painting yours was the hardest goodbye of all. Fly high, my sweet boy — I love you always and forever.
