ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY
DEFINE AND SHINE PHOTOGRAPHY by
O
nce upon a time, there was a dog called Bella…
There was a new sound in the neighbourhood that got my attention, and I was so pleased to hear it that day. It came from my neighbours; there she was with her beautiful aqua new collar and a medallion with her name engraved Bella around her neck. I greeted Bella, with a very exciting Phelan (My Bernese Mountain dog) by my side over the fence. Wagging her tail, I am sure she remembered my voice and barked in a very friendly way. Being a humanitarian of heart and firmly believe women education is important! I started a project taking photos of women in very different professions. The reason for that is to showcase for the future that there are many different occupations young women can do these days, such as following a path being an electrician, a female butcher, etc. It led me asking the question towards my local vet Nina Coulthard at the Adelaide Vet Stirling South Australia, who does take good care of my beautiful Bernese 26
eYs Magazine
mountain dog Phelan wellbeing if it would be possible taking some photos while she is operating on a dog, cat or other animals. I was grateful when Nina said yes! That led me meeting Bella when the call came in from Sam G Tiller, the team leader at the practice and said “Nina is going to operate and de-sexing a dog that comes from a death row shelter interstate that has been taken in by a local shelter who rescues them and find them a home. Believe it; my mind was set on the opportunity of taking the photo of Nina in full operation for my project. Never thought, being introduced on the day and looking at her sad eyes through the cage, waiting to be led out, and being checked by Nina (The Vet) and Sam (the team leader). My heart was melting, Bella was so beautiful, very skinny, and her fur felt rough and didn’t shine! Bella’s past story wasn’t a loving one, and it still makes me sick how people can treat animals in such a bad way. Bella, running around freely in the animal
