How I Accidentally Became a Dog Photographer

Before my husband, Dillon, and I brought home our new puppy, Fraser, in March 2021, we learned that our little bundle of joy suffered from a severe heart murmur. We were determined to do whatever we could to help our four-month-old West Highland Terrier.

Fraser was soon diagnosed with pulmonic stenosis — meaning his heart doesn’t allow blood to flow freely out of it. 53% of puppies with the same severity of his condition don’t make it past their first year.

To repair the obstruction in Fraser’s heart, he needed a $5,000 Balloon Valvuloplasty. I booked the surgery with the University of Minnesota veterinary hospital before I had any idea how I was going to pay for it — and I only had a month to figure it out.

The Answer: Pup Portrait Fundraiser

I decided I would hold a pet portrait fundraiser. I was already a brand photographer and had taken tons of my own dogs’ portraits, so I gave it a try. I figured that even if only one person booked a session, I’d consider it a success.

To my surprise, the fundraiser was a huge hit! Every session availability was booked, and I even had walk-up appointments. Fraser’s surgery was completely paid for from the fundraiser, plus a portion of his follow-up scans.

I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming amount of love, support, and generosity that came rushing in during the fundraiser. We received donations without sessions being booked.

More so, many people reached out to follow up about Fraser and see how he was doing after surgery.

A Successful Surgery & A New Passion

Fraser’s surgery was deemed successful — though he will likely need daily medication for the rest of his life to manage his condition. As grateful as I was to have received a clean bill of health, I knew that not every pet owner has a way to raise funds for a life-saving surgery as I did.

The money I raised only helped Fraser, and I wanted to help more pets and pay it forward.

I had fallen in love with photographing dogs in a studio and creating dramatic portraits that their humans squealed over.

I launched The Dog Photog four months after Fraser’s surgery to continue working with pets and creating timeless portraits for their parents.

Life After Surgery

In June of 2022, Fraser went in for a routine one-year post-surgery check-up.

We received far less positive news than we were expecting. Even though he is asymptomatic, he was already in congestive heart failure. While his surgery was successful one year ago, his heart never developed enough to sustain a fully successful surgery. The 6–8 years we thought we would have with him were expected to be cut drastically short to less than one year.

In December 2022, Fraser went in for his quarterly echocardiogram. We were cautiously optimistic, but prepared for the worst.

Instead of needing to start preparing to say goodbye, Fraser’s doctor found that his echocardiogram and tests came back showing he was doing really well — like a “medical marvel” well!

They aren’t sure why he’s remaining so stable with his congestive heart failure diagnosis, but they anticipate him being with us for several years instead of months.

A Bump in the Road

After a night of restlessness, Fraser just wasn’t himself the morning of Friday, May 19, 2023. As any concerned dog mom would do, I called his vet at U of M and looked for guidance. His breath was short and heavy. He wasn’t interested in his food. He wouldn’t sit or lay down — just stand and stare into the distance or down at the floor.

Without the option to secure a last-minute appointment, I brought Fraser to the emergency room.

He was placed in an oxygen room to ease his stressed breathing. The triage team ran blood work (came back normal) and a fast scan to analyze the state of his heart failure. They found fluid surrounding his heart and lungs, causing discomfort and difficulty breathing. After a chest scan, full echocardiogram, and lab work to check kidney function, Fraser underwent a chest tap to remove 510ml of fluid—an awful lot for a 14-pound dog.

While it may sound short and simple, Fraser was in the ER for eight hours and underwent light sedation to accommodate the procedure. Dillon met me at the ER so I wouldn’t have to cry alone. Waiting and hoping Fraser would be okay, we were faced with making logical decisions about his quality of life — ensuring nothing was done selfishly.

Two weeks later, Fraser went in for what would have been his regular annual check-in with his cardio team. We arrived with optimistic mindsets but were quickly brought back down to reality. Fraser was in late-stage heart failure. The fluid had returned faster than expected, and they removed 520ml this time.

With all other health markers in check, his medications were adjusted. Again, we left hopeful, hearts full of love. Fraser underwent another chest tap, 375ml removed. His kidney function and echocardiogram remain strong — all signs his medication is helping manage symptoms. All good signs for my sweet boy.

July 10, 2023

For the last month and a half, Fraser has had check-ups every two weeks, including a chest tap each visit. Seeing him recover from each procedure is painful, but knowing it improves his quality of life makes it easier.

This check-up started as usual: check-in, vitals, activity updates, eating habits, bathroom habits. Fast scan. Wait.

The scan took longer than usual. Fraser’s tech brought him back with the news we were desperately trying to avoid:

“Fraser’s heart is encased in fluid. Fluid is floating around his chest and in between his heart and lungs. Fraser is in end-stage heart failure.”

But here was my 2 ½-year-old Westie, seemingly thriving on his medication. Despite the pain, there has been so much joy. Fraser is a bright light in my world — perhaps the happiest dog I’ve ever met. He still has energy to chase squirrels, bark at dogs outside, and play with his big Pitbull/Lab sister like he’s invincible.

I’ve learned so much from figuring it all out as a dog parent — making hard, expensive decisions while keeping his well-being at the forefront. We’re on this journey together until Fraser decides otherwise.

5 Years Later

Today, Fraser turns five — a milestone I never imagined we’d reach. We celebrated with a huge birthday party for this little guy. My parents even brought home Fraser’s littermate, Finlay, so birthdays are serious business around here.

Five years is a long time and no time at all. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how much this little guy has changed my life. We kicked off a three-year backyard landscaping project starting with replacing a falling-apart chain link fence with a cedar privacy fence, because Fraser could fit through any of the holes when he was tiny.

He learned how to be a dog from his older sissy, Sequoia — a Lab-Pit mix. Fraser is the most obedient, loyal, and cuddly Westie I’ve ever met, and I credit Sequoia for helping shape that. It just goes to show that every decision has an effect on your life.

Without Fraser, I never would have leased my first photo studio. Without Fraser, we wouldn’t have shifted our lives to make sure he goes potty every 4–5 hours, gets his medication at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. without fail, or let him out in the middle of the night so he can drink as much water as he needs — even when he’s tricking us and just wants to chase rabbits.

Every day is a gift. Fraser is a living, white, fluffy representation of choosing life and embracing the unknown — and sometimes, it just works out.