My mom's 80th

Happy Birthday mom...it's your 80th...kick off your shoes and dance a little! Anyway, I created this slideshow for her...just a look into her life.

The Dowds

Had sooo much fun with the Dowd family. They come back every year for pictures, to remind them of how their girls have grown!! Chelsea and Lacey are a mess, and I told their parents that they are in for trouble in the future!!! They are two beautiful young ladies, who like to show off their cheerleading skills on a regular basis!!

Why I help PAWS

PAWS---Panhandle Animal Welfare Society--is our local animal shelter in Fort Walton Beach. Who doesn't love a cute doggie or kittie? I have to give kudos to Tricia, who is the director of the shelter and does ALL she can to get the homeless placed, and Dee, who heads up animal control--where the officers go out on a daily basis and pick up strays or neglected animals.

Why do I give of my time to photograph the animals every few weeks for PAWS' Facebook and website? I love my photography business, and well, I LOVE animals...From the time when I lived in Orlando at a young age and used to bring home fallen birds and ducks walking down the street!

My husband says that if I was an animal control officer I would probably be arrested---for punishing those who have been cruel to the animals!! I admire you guys who can do that!

Anyway, in April of this year, I decided that a good fundraiser would be to hold a community yard sale at the Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach. We solicited donations and made a bunch of money for PAWS--the most of any fundraiser they have held. So, I said, let's do it again in the fall.

Hence, we are in the midst of organizing and pricing the items for Saturday's yard sale (7-1 p.m.), which I am SPEAKING will be bigger than the one in April.

Why do I put my business on hold for a week twice a year for the animals? (Well, I have to spend the time catching up at night until late, fulfilling print orders and doing edits for family portrait sessions. Thanks hubby, for understanding! :)

It's all in memory of Deebo, my son's pit bull.

You see, Deebo was killed in the line of duty three years ago, at the ripe ol' age of 3. The line of duty he was carrying out was chasing a cat up a tree, after my son let him outside to use the bathroom. Still, to this day, I can hear my son's voice over the phone, crying to me that Deebo had been shot...Sweet Deebo, who wouldn't hurt a flea. Who literally smiled at you when he came walking toward you. He just ran into the wrong yard, doing what dogs do--chase cats-- and the neighbor kid came outside and shot Deebo in the side as he was running away.

The 20-something kid chased Deebo home, and yelled something to my son like, "be glad I only shot him with a .22." The kid's aim was good...he happened to get Deebo in the lung and he bled to death.

Dee and Mary at PAWS tried their best to have the kid prosecuted, but he claimed that he shot Deebo in self-defense. Who is a state's attorney to believe--a person, or a misunderstood breed?

Anyway, it is in Deebo's memory that I put my business aside every couple of weeks, and now, twice a year, to try and help the homeless doggies and kitties out there. Thanks in advance for helping! I will NEVER forget you Deebo!