Why this image matters
A souvenir of my dog Bili I lost in 2014.
Photography
Mohawk Dog Profile
A character-driven portrait that balances humor, personality, and strong profile framing.
Why
Story
The story behind it
Picture of my first dog Bili wearing my roommate Daves shaved hair And thought would make a nice picture.And it turned out great it is one of my favorite pictures of him.He died in my arms was one of the hardest moments in my life.
History
History / context
Bili: A Legacy of Loyalty I remember the very first day my mom brought him home; he was in a little cage, and I was so excited that I ran across the street to buy him two stainless steel bowls and a plastic toy. That toy became his favorite for his entire life, and I still have it to this day. When I eventually moved out, Bili stayed by my side. He moved with me through four different apartments, from my childhood home to my adult life. He was so attached to me that if I left him home alone, he would cry all night, so I started bringing him to work. He would stand right there at my desk—he was such a good boy. Bili was brave, courageous, and incredibly loyal. He was my protector; if anyone even threatened me, he would bark and growle instantly. We were so connected that we were always in sync. If someone was making me angry, I didn't even have to say a word—Bili would just stare them down as if to say, "You really just did that?" I was lucky to live near a shopping center that allowed me to walk him inside, so he truly went everywhere with me. He was there for every chapter of my youth. In 2014, after I returned from a trip to Gaspé, Bili passed away in my arms. He was struggling to breathe, and it breaks my heart to think about it. Even though everyone tells me I did everything right, I still feel like I failed him. I was young, he was my first dog, and I was inexperienced. I find myself wishing I knew then what I know now, and I hope he can forgive me for that. I miss him every single day—especially his singing. His favorite songs to howl along to were "You're the One That I Want" from Grease and "Who Let the Dogs Out." I truly hope we meet again on the other side. I hope he knows that I loved him more than words can say, and that he deserved the world.