You Never Know How Much Time You Have: Why Waiting for “Later” Can Mean Missing Everything
Many dog owners believe they’ll know when the right time is.
When life slows down.
When their dog is older.
When they finally get around to it.
But the truth is, time doesn’t always give us warnings.
A Story I Never Planned to Tell
One of our dogs was a beautiful, gentle pit bull. She was the sweetest soul—loving, calm, and deeply kind. She wasn’t reckless or wild. She was simply a dog being a dog.
Like many dogs, she was a counter surfer. If food was within reach, she’d find it. One day, she must have gotten into something she shouldn’t have—likely something in a field, something unseen.
That day started quietly. She vomited a little pink-tinged fluid. Later, there was blood in her stool. We took her to the vet immediately.
There was nothing they could do.
Her intestines were severely damaged. We went home without her—holding only her leash and collar.
She was eight years old. Healthy. Loved. And gone far too soon.
The Illusion of “Plenty of Time”
Most people associate loss with age. With decline. With long goodbyes.
But sometimes, loss arrives without any of those things.
Healthy dogs can be taken suddenly. Accidents happen. Illnesses appear without warning. One ordinary day can quietly become the last.
That’s what makes waiting so risky.
Not because we’re doing anything wrong—but because we assume tomorrow will look like today.
Why This Changed How I See Photography Forever
That experience changed everything for me.
Not because I wish I had more photos—but because I realized how fragile “later” really is.
Photographs don’t prevent loss.
They don’t soften grief.
But they give you something solid to hold onto when memories start to blur.
They remind you of who your dog was before everything changed.
This Is Why “The Best Time” Is Almost Always Now
People often ask when the best time is to photograph their dog.
Puppyhood?
Senior years?
A milestone moment?
The answer is simpler—and harder to hear.
The best time is while nothing feels urgent.
I talk more about this in When Is the Best Time to Photograph Your Dog?—because waiting for a sign often means missing the moment entirely.
This Isn’t About Fear — It’s About Love
This isn’t meant to scare anyone.
It’s meant to honour how deeply we love our dogs—and how quickly life can change without asking permission.
Photographing your dog isn’t about anticipating loss.
It’s about celebrating presence.
It’s about saying:
This mattered. This love mattered.
A Gentle Reminder
If your dog is healthy and happy today, that’s not a reason to wait.
That’s the reason to remember them exactly as they are.
Not because something bad is coming—but because nothing lasts forever, and love deserves to be preserved while it’s still ordinary.
