jen + lily / 08. 06. 11

where do i start with this one?  maybe with a warning?  i posted waaay too many images.  note to self: be better at culling images.  but really, i had the hardest time picking which images to blog because jen + her dog, lily are just.. infectious.  ya.

i haven't seen jen for years, back from the good ol' days of youth group.  and lemme tell ya, nothing has changed about that girl.  she is kind, down to earth and did i mention stunningly beautiful?  jen has the total zest for life aura going on.  in the time we spent together, i found out that currently she is working at southgate church and excitedly, is entering the pdp program at ubc this fall to reach her dream of becoming a teacher.  jen, i'm SO pumped for you.. you're totally going to get a thousand shiny apples on your desk from being all the kids' favourite teach.

and then there's lily, jen's 4 year old furbaby.  and man, are they a match made in heaven cos lily totally has the same go get 'em attitude.  particularly for tennis balls.  and water.  

spending the evening with jen + lily on their main walking and swimming trails was so endearing.  to hear all the stories of the crazy things lily has done (and eaten!), how she's always stuck to jen's side and even put on the tough girl act to a police officer for her mama.  it was so uplifting to witness how much a dog can be a crucial part of a person's life, of their family.

even if you don't know me well, chances are you know that i loveLOOOVE dogs.  and i'm a total over-user of the saying, "until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."  lame-sounding?  probably.  accurate?  yes.  if you haven't yet chosen to really truly get to know and give your heart to a creature of a different species, i eagerly encourage you to do so because it will make you a better you.  and it is obvious to me, that jen is better because of lily.  and lily, because of jen.

if you're thinking about loving an animal, please consider saving a life.  please, check out petfinder as well as ocean dog rescue to find a homeless pet that needs a family.