Introducing Xara

 

I've known Allison and Jon for many many years. They come with me on my adventures, they support me in all things, I was fortunate enough to photograph their wedding and so many other big moments of their lives, and now I'm honored to say I got to come to their house and photograph portraits for their new little lady.

Introducing Duchess Xara Bruna Von Xoltan...but they just call her Xara. She's the newest addition to the McLaughlin Family and I am so happy for them (and Xara, of course, who is already so loved.)

We love you, Xara. And hey, Jon and Alley? We love you too. I know that somewhere, Ivy Girl is looking down and seeing her little sister frolicking around being an adorable silly goofball, and that she's so proud and so happy to see how much joy Xara is putting into your world. 

You did good, y'all. I'm sure that Ivy is beyond happy to see how joyful this little lady has made you, and she's glad the the McLaughlin Compound has a dog in it again. Her watch might have ended, but Xara is worthy of taking up the mantle now.

Hey, Ivy; your momma and daddy have a new Very Good Girl to watch over them in your stead. Xara is doing the best job she can (and being the biggest goofy goober ever; you'd be ever so proud.)

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando: Fire, Heartbreak, Help

Hi, friends.

I am sure you've seen the horrible news about how Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando's Conroy location caught on fire late last night--the cause of the fire is still undetermined, but it damaged about 75% of the building and several of the cats in the shelter tragically lost their lives. The surviving pets have been transferred to the Sanford location while they assess what their next steps will be and what the future will hold for the Orlando shelter. Pet Alliance is a really important resource in our community for pets, pet owners, and abandoned animals--they do a lot of great things, including taking in a whole big bunch of animals who were stranded or left behind after Hurricane Ida not long ago. We adopted our own crazy black cat Sam from PAGO in 2010 so they're very near and dear to our hearts and we are devastated for them.

Right now, they're asking for donations, both monetary and of physical supplies, specifically wet cat food and clean blankets and towels. Brendan and I are going to be making a monetary donation, and I'll be running some supply drop offs up to the Sanford location early next week for them. My heart has been hurting so much today for all the animals lost and for the employees and volunteers at PAGO who are no doubt suffering as they deal with this tragedy and I just want to do as much as we can, so if you are able and willing and want to help out, this is the direct link to PAGO's donate page:

https://petallianceorlando.org/ways-give/donate/

If you have pets of your own, be they furry, scaley, slithery, or slimy, hug them a little tighter tonight and give them a few extra treats in honor of the lives lost at Pet Alliance. (Unless they're fish, because I understand they don't take too kindly to hugs.)

We love you, Pet Alliance, and this community will rally behind you and help you move forward after this tragedy. Thank you for all that you do (and thank you to the brave firefighters who did all they could to save as many of the animals as possible). This situation is so hard, but if I know Orlando, I know that the families you serve will be right here to help you get back on your feet. From this fur baby mom to all those out there hurting tonight, sending love and light and well-wishes, and we'll gather up anything and everything we can (monetarily and physically) to help ease the burden and pain of the coming days.