Four

Old dogs teach us new tricks

BY James Geer, February 14, 2012

Anyone who has loved an old dog knows it’s the truest form of love – blind. No longer are they cute pups. Old dogs are frail, smelly, balding, stiff and crooked, blind or incontinent, in need of real care, or at least, respect. This is when US photographer Nancy LeVine turns her camera to them.

Through her documentary style portraits, Le Vine describes the lives led by these seniors via; a stare down the lens through cloudy blind eyes, the crossing of a desolate street, standing proudly by their master ignoring the pains of arthritis or simply sitting on their front porch. Her work is incredibly engaging and aims to teach us humans a thing or two about growing old. “Animals grow old whilst living in the present… they simply relish every moment of what today has to offer,” says LaVine.

Sadness or pity is often an initial emotional response to the Senior Dogs across America images, however with time this often turns to humour. Mason, the 12 year old German Shepherd, stares at you from his one eye, or is it a wink? A reminder not to take life too seriously.

If you have been lucky enough to love and old dog or you just appreciate honest portraiture, check out LeVines photographs.

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Photography by Nancy LeVine
See the complete series and more of Nancy LeVine’s work here

Tags Black&White, Community, Personal, Photography, Portrait, Reportage, Social