Karuna Rescue, Nov.23
One of the truest, most poignant lines I’ve ever heard is “We don’t deserve dogs.” We truly do not. As anyone who knows me knows, I’m a dog lover. To say I prefer dogs to people is a vast understatement. I have 2 of my own, and over the years I’ve rescued and rehomed several more. Here in sunny Shenzhen, and indeed all over China, although pet ownership is a relatively new thing, it’s a very big thing. And while I’m sure the majority of pet owners do their best, there are many that still see an animal as “a thing.” When most people talk about animals and pets, they don’t refer to it as “him” or “her,” but “it.” The most heartbreaking time of year is always around Spring Festivel, AKA Chinese new year, when scores upon scores of pets are abandoned, dumped, tied to a tree in a park or thrown out of a moving car window. Why pay for somneone to look after “it” while you’re back in your hometown for a week, when you can just dump it and get another, younger, cuter one when you’re back in town? Yeh, the mentality of some people is unfathomable.
This little beauty was running around like a bat out of hell, and in a moment the sun pierced the trees behind and shone right on her nose. She stopped, and stood there for a few seconds to enjoy the warmth, before returning to a state of energetic insanity.
Karuna rescue is an organisation run by angels-on-earth, people who do actually care, and devote all their time, energy and finances into saving, helping, treating, and hopefully re-homing dogs and other unwanted misfortunates. Back in November of 2023, they had organised an information day, with some presentations and talks in the aim of bringing some awareness, and possibly some much needed funds, for the Karuna rescue centre. Part of that day was an auction of photos of some of their gorgeous beasts, which myself and several other photographers had taken in the lead up to the event. On the day of the shoot we were pressed for time, with sunlight fading fast, and as expected, the dogs were super excited to be getting so much attention from people. It was an incredibly fun time, I got covered in dog slobber, and walked away feeling a real sense of reward. It’s not very often you can help anyone, or anything, by taking a few photos, but that day I felt we all did.
“And the selfie of the year, goes to…”
The event day came, people in attendance seemed interested and openly particapated in it all, and (I hope) left with a slightly better idea of how animals should be treated. I gave a talk about dogs in movies and in history and so forth, and I’m very happy to say, two of my dog prints sold. I’m under no illusion that it made a huge impact, but even if a few people walked away with a more enlightened understanding of our furry best friends, it was very much worth it. Be kind to all animals. As the truly divine individual Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Quite so.
And P.S; If you’d like to be an angel and somehow help the precious lives at Karuna Rescue, please just send me a message and I’ll put you in touch. Even if you could help by donating just a few RMB per month, as the old woman said as she peed in the ocean, “Every little helps.” :)
Photography Notes; For these shots I used the trusted workhorse, the Canon 5D4, and my rarely-used 17-40 f4 L lens. I wanted to attempt the low-and-close perspective, something like a fishbowl lens (but I don’t own any fishbowl lenses.) I almost never, ever, shoot on burst mode, I always shoot single-shot, and if I get the shot, I do, and if I don’t then so be it. But for this day I shot fast as the Waco Kid (name the movie) trying my best to get those slobbery-cute photos. I had the aperture wide open at f4, and switched the lens to manual focus at around 30cm from the camera. Then I just sprayed and prayed. I’m happy with how the photos came out, they are different from all the others photographers’ shots, and I think having them all in black and white put them all into a nice series. People say “Don’t work with kids and animals,” but I’d be in heaven if I could just snap dogs all day. Dogs really are speechless angels on earth. Be kind to them. Karma is watching you.
Just a small amount from the photos displayed there on the day.
Seeing your photos printed and framed nice is such a glorious feeling, I highly recommend it.
Me and Camilla and two lovely ladies…
