Six years ago today we lost my best friend. We got Smudge (yes...who my KS Smudges portrait business is named after. ❤️) when I was 5 years old and she passed right after my 18th birthday, in 2014. I loved growing up with her, especially being an only child - she was my best buddy. :) I can't believe it's been 6 years.
On the 6 month anniversary of her passing, I did a portrait of her (the 2nd photo, 2015) - technically my 1st ever pet portrait! I wanted to recreate the same photo for today but didn't get a chance to finish it yet. Even still, the growth in my portraits is immediately apparent.
I am so excited to finish this portrait and to continually honor her memory. On the year anniversary of her passing, I got a paw print tattoo right next to my heart in memory of her. I have pictures of her on my desk. I have her collar hanging on my car mirror. My portrait business is even named after her: KS Smudges. It is hard to understand the loss of a pet if you haven't had one, but that is the inevitable heartbreak we sign up for when we get a pet...yet we wouldn't trade it for a thing. ❤️
When my portrait clientele began to grow, a lot of people were hiring me for portraits of pets who had recently passed away. Knowing the pain and grief that this brings is what led me to create my Rainbow Bridge Special. For any portrait ordered of a pet who has recently passed away, you get 10% off and a free tiny photo magnet of your new angel. It is such an honor for me to be trusted in illustrating these special family members, and I feel an emotional connection with each one. Thank you to every single person who has entrusted me to recreate your dear pet, whether still with us or not. It is my absolute honor and pleasure.
Please enjoy some cute as heck pictures of Smudge & I growing up together from 2001-2014. 🤗
Hope you're resting easy, baby girl. ❤️🐾
