The Harris Family (Part 2) {Kentucky Pet Photographer}

Here is the second half of the Harris family blog!  If you didn’t see part one, please click here: The Harris Family Part One

I am thrilled for part two, because it includes all the horses.  I grew up with horses, so taking these photos was nostalgic for me.  I felt right at home!

Sherri and Jeff Harris live on a 40-acre farm.  They are at capacity for animals with five horses, four dogs, a fish and two feral cats. Though at capacity, they still foster occasionally.  They rescue whenever they can and are bona fide animal lovers. They even feed the neighbor's cat as if he is was theirs because he enjoys their barn so much.

I just want to say, thank you Sherri and Jeff for all that you do for these animals!

Now, on to these beautiful horses…

Blackjack is a stunning Walking Horse that has trust issues based on the assumption of a less than perfect background. He came from a kill auction and has taken a very long time to him to trust again. He is regal under saddle but can be a bit unpredictable when riding. 

Tonto is also a Walking Horse that came from a friend who was thinning out her herd. Tonto is beautiful, reliable and sensitive. Sherri and Jeff say they are so lucky to have him.

Roscoe is their pony who came with Tonto because they loved each other so much Sherri didn’t have the heart to separate them.  Roscoe is a comedian, athletic and has been ridden in competitions in the past.  To the Harris’ he is much more like a big, hilarious dog.

Lovie was another rescue from a kill pen. She is a beautiful, incredibly sweet and spunky spotted mare AND the only female horse. She is stunning with the one haunting blue eye and the other brown eye.  Lovie requires special attention in feed and hoof care because she has a metabolism issue most likely due to being left in a field with little care before she was rescued.

Kid One Sock is the Harris’ only Quarter horse and the only one that has papers.  Sherri was looking for a horse like him to rescue but none seemed to fit, so when he came along it was meant to be.  He had spent most of his time alone in a field without friends, so it took him a little while to adjust to the Harris herd.  He came with a severely split hoof that took almost five years of special hoof care to get back in shape.

Sherri finds it amazing and soothing just to watch them enjoy life.  

I hope you enjoy their photos below as much as I did taking them!

~Mandy

Need new family photos? Bring your pets along!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

The Harris Family {Kentucky Pet Photographer}

I am very excited for today’s blog AND it’s a two parter!  This is seriously one of my favorite shoots to date, and I remember it well!  I was 8 months pregnant at the time, and drove a few hours to this lovely couple’s farm in Maceo, Kentucky.  They not only had dogs for me to photograph, but they also horses and beta fish.  I grew up with horses and felt right at home with theirs.  

Once Sherri and Jeff were married, they knew they wanted to buy a small farm and build a farmhouse.  They have 40 acres in Kentucky and call themselves “gentlemen farmers” (so fun!).  “We are a bit like Green Acres but with more animals,” Sherri told me.  They always rescue when they can and still foster. 

For part one of this blog, I want to introduce you to the Harris’ dogs.  With each pup they have kept their original name or a variation of that name. Each one of them has a unique story as to how they came to be a part of the Harris pack.  Ages are guesses because they were all adopted as young adults. 

 Huckleberry, a full blooded bluetick hound, is about ten.  Sherri loves this breed and found Huck on Petfinder in Alabama after losing another bluetick to cancer.  Sadly, he was already promised to another family.  Sherri did not give up on him and called the shelter a week later.  The family never picked him up and he was scheduled to be euthanized within the hour!  Sherri paid for him over the phone and found a way to get him. 

Gracie, short for Princess Grace of Maceo, is around six or seven years old.  She is a foster fail from their local rescue called Saving Paws Animal Rescue of KY (SPARKY).  She is mostly Chihuahua and though Sherri had never planned on owning a Chihuahua, once they fostered her they fell in love and adopted her.  What makes Gracie really special?  She is a tripod!  The little lady had been hit by a car which required her front leg to be amputated at the shoulder. She runs and jumps as if she has no idea she is a tripod. She is the glue for the dog pack that makes sure everyone plays.  

The Harris’ next pup is Butters (formerly Utterly).  She is between six and eight.  She is a stocky mix of a lot of things per her dog genetic test.  Sherri and Jeff fostered her after she was found in someone’s carport and given to Robyn’s Nest, a rescue in Nashville.  Butters had a lot of fears and issues at first, and it was hard to keep her safe from herself.  Sherri and Jeff felt they would do a better job than most, so they adopted her.  Butters is lucky to have them.  The Pet Community Center who did her spay found out she had survived being shot AND hit by a car!  

And last but not least, Darla is a six year old hound. She was a Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC) dog.  Sherri got her as a short-term foster during a Bow Wow Breakout held by MACC. She asked for a dog that was overlooked and ther’re the longest and they showed her Darla.  After spending a long Breakout weekend together, Sherri tried to get someone to adopt her on social media, but no takers.  Sherri had to go back for her. She is hilarious and maintains her job of chief mole hunter as a serious mission, often digging up plants and making huge holes in their yard!

The fish is a male Betta named Steven Tyler, who sadly is no longer with us.  However, Sherri did tell me they got another Betta that looks just like Steven Tyler and named him JT (Justin Timberlake).  I love their fish names!
Be on the look out for Part 2, the all their horses, next week!

~Mandy

Pets Are Family, Too!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!