A picture is worth a thousand words.
I am one of those people who loves taking photographs. Now with camera phones and Facebook, it's so easy to snap pictures anytime and to store them for years and years. I also enjoy printing out my favorite photos and keeping them in albums or in picture frames on my walls around my house.
Photos are my way of holding onto memories that I want to be sure never slip away. But when I saw what one photographer was doing to help people hold onto the memories of their pets? I couldn't believe it.
Unfortunately, when we lose a pet to illness, our grief can often cloud our positive memories. It can sometimes be hard to remember the good times we spent with our beloved cat or dog. This is where the amazing photographer Eva Hagel decided to step in and do something incredible and uplifting for the families of terminally ill pets.
Eva shared her moving story and her beautiful photographs with the Huffington Post. They show just how much of an impact one person can have in helping families remember their cherished pets.
Please SHARE if you are inspired by Eva and her incredible photographs.
h/t Huffington Post
Eva Hagel is a photographer in Minnesota who is generously offering free photo sessions to pet owners and their beloved animals who are terminally ill.
Eva told Huffington Post, "Our pets are just like children. Their death can leave a resounding emptiness in our lives. Having these images to look back on can help begin the healing process and encourage memories about what a joy their companion was."
Eva was initially inspired to offer her services after she lost her pet boxer, Cleo, to cancer. She writes on her website, "My heart literally broke in two. I have no images, no pictures of us together. If I could change that I would."
In honor of Cleo, Eva has named her efforts Project Cleo. Eva writes, "The goal of 'Project Cleo' is to provide Bliss sessions to families living in Southeastern Minnesota. Bliss sessions are about celebration, not grieving. Celebrating the life of your pet."
Eva has already donated her time to seven families and their Bliss sessions. So far, all of the sessions have been with dogs.
Eva told Huffington Post, "These sessions are very emotional. I always cry on the way home. It is so hard knowing what these families are about to experience."
She told Huffington Post she wanted to "make sure every family has at least one lasting memory of the beloved pet that they will be missing."
"During the session I tell families to love on their animals, relax and enjoy the moment. Above all sessions should be about joy and happiness. If I can ease the pain of saying goodbye, I know I have done my job."
Project Cleo relies entirely on donations so that Bliss sessions are completely free to families. Eva writes on her website, "When you are getting ready to say goodbye to your beloved companion the last thing you want to think about is money."
Eva is an inspiration and her photographs will provide families with joyful memories for years to come!
To donate to Project Cleo, please visit their website.
Please SHARE if you are inspired by Eva and her incredible photographs.
