Cause for Paws {Nashville Pet Event Photography}

I just want to say that I am so grateful to be part of such a great community of animal lovers. Not only do I get to photograph pets and their people, I have had the opportunities to give back by doing photography for local pet charities, including events for the Pet Community Center and Agape Animal Rescue. I really love being able to support the local pet charity community through my work!

On the blog today, I get to share an event I did in October called Cause for Paws which benefits the Nashville Humane Association (NHA) at the Belle Meade Country Club. (You can check all the photos here on the Cause for Paws website). The Nashville Humane Association is “committed to finding responsible homes, controlling pet overpopulation, and promoting the humane treatment of animals, all while supporting pets and pet-families in our community.” Please check it out if you are interested in adopting a pet, they have a wonderful facility in Nashville. For the event, NHA brought adoptable puppies for the guests to love on and potentially adopt!

The event always has a fashion show, and this year the designer, Shoshanna, showcased some of the beautiful dresses in her collection.

And a big congratulations to the 2023 winner of the Julia Colton Award for Excellence in Animal Welfare to Kimberly Wise. Ms. Wise is the President of the Pedigree Foundation, and also Senior Manager of Foster Programs at Greater Good Charities. Congratulations Kimberly, we are all so grateful for the great work you do!

Enjoy!

~Mandy

Here is a list of other vendors involved in the Cause for Paws pet event:

Gus Mayer 

Southern Events 

Please Be Seated

Knestrick by Design

Hair and Makeup: Aubrey Heller

Titos Vodka

Contact a Premier Pet Photographer for an Event in Nashville!

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!

Paws to Remember Vendor Spotlight with Maryglenn and Major {Nashville Dog Photographer}

This week on the blog is Maryglenn and Major. I actually just did this session at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, and a few days later Major passed away. It seems I have had a lot of clients doing end of life sessions throughout this past year, and Maryglenn is no stranger to the heartache the loss of a pet causes. It is no wonder we bonded (I see her at all the rescue events I photograph) with what she does as an animal advocate and because of what she does with her company, Paws to Remember. More about the great work she is doing in a bit but first let’s celebrate the life of sweet Major.

Major was an Old English Sheepdog and lived to the age of twelve and a half. His full name was Majordomo Billy Bojangles “Major” Warnock, named after a character in a Grateful Dead song, “Alabama Getaway”; character named Majordomo Billy Bojangles. (Maryglenn is a huge Deadhead).

When I asked what Major loved the most, Maryglenn responded “I honestly think it’s me.” (I have no doubt about that). He hated the garbage truck… “loathed, abhorred, and abominated the sound it made.” Her favorite things about him were that he is the sweetest dog and that his temperament was like a teddy bear. Her husband once described this cute dog as “nothing more than a bunch of wool wrapped around a big heart”, and Maryglenn thinks this is so accurate. “Major is pure love” and has been a faithful, loving and loyal companion. Maryglenn loves the Old English Sheepdog breed because they are smart, beautiful, fluffy, a little goofy, sweet, and so, so loyal.

Before Major, Maryglenn an Old English Sheepdog named Garcia. (Yes, after Jerry Garcia). The vendor spotlight is for her company Paws to Remember that formed after her precious Garcia passed away in 2011. “…nothing—absolutely nothing—could’ve prepared me for the anguish, the heartbreak, the profound, almost all-consuming sorrow of losing my beloved Garcia…Even in the depths of my grief, and even when I felt terribly alone, I knew I wasn’t the only one who had, or would, struggle so mightily after the loss of a pet. An idea began to form and while it took nearly 8 long years, I finally decided to do something about it.”

Working through the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement, Maryglenn completed her certification to become a Pet Bereavement Counselor and spent time interacting with grieving owners and learning more about the pet aftercare industry. She also became an ordained minister and Pet Funeral Officiant. And then, Paws to Remember came to fruition. This is a pet aftercare business that serves grieving pet owners in their time of need. It provides such services as: pet memorial services, celebrations of life, and funerals; pet bereavement counseling on both a group and individual basis; and assistance in creating meaningful memorials and tributes.

Since conception, Maryglenn has eulogized and celebrated companion animals from cats to Chihuahuas, counseled owners who’ve just lost pets and those whose pets have been gone for years, talked to pet lovers, veterinarians, specialists, and business owners about loss, about grief, and about grace.

“My advice for anyone struggling with the loss of a pet is this: know that you’re not alone, know that what you are experiencing is normal—and know there is help available. Pain is normal and inevitable—but misery is optional. Even in grief, we can make a choice to dwell on the sadness and sorrow and let it torture us and rule our lives—or we can take steps to heal from it. Help is available.”

Please check out these sweet photos of Major and Maryglenn!  

~Mandy

Contact a Wedding Photographer in Nashville, TN!

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!

Allison and Maude {Nashville Dog Photographer}

Boo! Happy Halloween everyone! I have some perfect photos to share for this occasion since Allison decided to do a session with Halloween costumes! How fun and adorable are these minions?!

Meet Allison and Maude, her 10-year-old English Sheepdog. Why Maude? Well, Allison just loves older generation human names for dogs. Maude may look big and tough, but she really is just a sweetie. The best part about her is her goofy personality, and that she tolerates Allison dressing her up for the holidays. Maude loves her treats, playing tug and going on car rides.

The photos here are from two different sessions, almost exactly a year apart. The Halloween minion session was from this year in October in their neighborhood and the photos with their regular outfits are from last fall at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park. Hope you love them!

~Mandy

Have a dog you adore? Bring them to a photo session!

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!