A Soul Dog Named Jigsaw: More Than Just a Pet Portrait

As a pet photographer, every session tells a story. But some stories reach out and wrap themselves around your heart — like the story of Jigsaw.

Jigsaw, or “Jig,” first met her human in 2013 as a round-bellied, oversized-pawed puppy with impossibly soft fur. Since then, she’s been more than just a travel companion. She’s been a friend through life’s highest peaks and lowest valleys, from snowy Minnesota to the warmth of Texas.

Jig loves smelling flowers, Winnie the Pooh, Running after balls, and laying in kiddie pools. Opening (more like shredding) presents from Santa, the Easter bunny, and on her birthday. Although her playtime looks a lot different and shorter then it used to she still has a lot of puppy personality in her.

In 2022, her health began to change. A stroke, tumors, and eventually Cushing Syndrome began to slow her down. But Jig never stopped being there — even when her human was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She became a certified service dog, a guardian with paws, fur, and an unbreakable spirit. She has always been there for her human with nothing but unconditional love.

The camera lens captured more than Jig’s graying face and wise eyes during our session — it caught the love between a dog and the person whose life she changed. You see, Jig isn’t just a dog. She’s a soul dog. A best friend. A life-saver. A once-in-a-lifetime connection.

A quote from Brooke "Jig has always been more to me than “just a dog”. She is my family, my heart, my soul dog and I can’t imagine life without her in it. She is the reason I’m here today. She got to meet my husband and bond with both my daughters. I watched as her face go from red, full and round to all white and frail like a little Opossum. I have loved her at her puppy breath and I will love her way beyond her last breath.

Technically I rescued her but in all honesty she rescued me. I’m very thankful she picked me to be her human."

Her story is a reminder of why I do what I do. Why these moments matter. Why preserving memories — especially as time begins to steal the spring from their step — is priceless.

Jigsaw rescued her human just as much as she was rescued. And through every shutter click, I hoped to give them something they could hold onto forever.

If you have a pet who’s touched your life like Jigsaw, don’t wait. Let’s tell their story — in images, in light, in love.