Anyone who’s had a pet knows that they have a special place in the family, but for German photographer, Elke Vogelsang, it’s especially true.
Captured in this amazing series of photographs, her dogs, Ioli, Scout and Noodles, all of whom were rescued from a shelter, are not only a part of her family – they saved her family.
“My husband, Carsten, fell seriously ill a few years ago at Christmas. He had a brain haemorrhage. The dogs were the ones who found him in time, so he could be saved,” the photographer told the Daily Mail, “They heard that something was wrong and raised the alarm, running to the bathroom door so we found my husband lying in the bathtub unconscious.”
“He spent weeks in a coma, months without any short-term memory and months in hospital. My dogs and my photography were my comfort and distraction at that time,” said Elke, “When my husband was in hospital I took a picture every day as a diary for him when he was away from us and had no memory. This one-picture-a-day project lasted much longer than that. Photography became something like an addiction to me, as it was such a great way to try to stay calm, to relax, to be creative.”
Elke’s project, in which her dogs feature, were not only a creative process – but a healing process.
And there’s no better way to heal than with some sweet dogs, and their goofy faces.
Just ask Elke.
You can follow Elke on Facebook here or view more of her work on her website here.
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