Gold Rush Britain

1999 ~ 2009

On September 22, 2009, Britain had to be laid to rest because he could no longer stand up on his own. He was diagnosed with cancer and a week later he was gone. The abruptness of the situation has left me and everyone I know, quite speechless. There is so much to be said about Britain that I wouldn't even know where to start. He was my constant companion, muse and my reason for starting Off The Leash Portraits. He sat patiently for countless, countless hours while I photographed him in costumes, on location, with props, rowdy children and even rowdier dogs. He helped me develop my skills as a pet photographer and most importantly, he gave me unconditional love the entire time.

Britain has taught me so many things, patience and responsibility being the most important of those things. I love him more than anything and I feel truly blessed to have been the owner of such an amazing dog! His spirit will always be alive in my heart and there will never be another dog like him!

Britain's soul speaks out to me through his photos. Only when looking at my photos of Britain can I truly understand the essence of the canine spirit. He was a true dog, in every sense of the word and a textbook Golden Retriever. I am currently working on my first book, which documents ten years of my growth as a photographer through photos of Britain. I hope to finish it by the end of winter, 2011.

Brita'n's last photo 9/21/09