What a hectic month it's been and we're not even half way through it yet! African Horse Sickness (AHS), a serious and mostly fatal disease, has run rampant through the horse community in Gauteng and surrounding areas. The helplessness and loss which comes from losing a beloved horse in such a horrible way is beyond words. Some people have tragically lost more than one.
A long time client of mine and fellow animal lover, Chyenoa Dakota, lost her beloved Gypsy (above right) to AHS. This was made worse by her husband Mike losing his gorgeous horse Goldie (above left) late last year.
Both horses are the subject of a forthcoming portrait. Bittersweet, I know. This is a good time to mention why it's important to take photos of the animals in your life on a regular basis. We all have hundreds of puppy photos, but youngsters grow up, time flies and the next thing you know you're living with a Golden Oldie. Or worse, your animal-friend's time on Earth is suddenly cut short.
Keep those photos safe, back them up OFF SITE and try keep another copy of them elsewhere. That's what I SHOULD have done, but didn't. To add to my horrible March, we were robbed earlier in the month. Computer equipment AND back-up drives were stolen, leaving me with a cavernous size hole where my digital existence used to be.
Luckily I have photos stashed on Facebook, Flickr and Picasa so the loss, while monumental, wasn't as bad as I initially thought it was.
To top this lot was Japan's earthquake on Friday – I dread to think of the lives – both animal and human –which have been lost. I'm already seeing rescue and money raising attempts for animals in affected areas.
All of this makes me realise how much I have to be grateful for. This is a good thing.
On a more cheerful note, I've finished Barbara's Pekes. These two cuties had their pics taken (when I still HAD a camera) last year. They'll be joining the Pekes Barbara has known through her life and these pups in the basket; up on the wall.
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