On this International Dog Day I want to share the story of Abu, Bamba and their parents and my dear friends Eligha and Erik. Abu (on left in the first picture) was my mom’s dog at first, she got him in Miami before she knew that her building didn’t allow any pets. Soon after he joined my mom, my brother and their cat, mom started receiving notices from the building’s office stating that they either need to get rid of the dog or move out (Abu had separation anxiety and barked when they’d leave the house). I felt compelled to bring him with me to NYC, I thought I could give him a better life. Sometimes I’d leave him home alone for a long time because of working so much and I knew he wasn’t happy. One time I asked my friend Eligha to watch him for a day. She fell in love and didn’t want to give him back. I told her no but eventually I realized that he might have better time living upstate with Eligha and Erik. So on the day when I decided to tell her that she can keep him, she got another Pomeranian that looked almost identical to Abu and named her Bamba. After awhile I asked her if she’d still like to adopt Abu. Erik and Eligha were happy to have him. I would go upstate to see him every chance I got, admittedly not enough. Every time I’d go there he’d make that special noise when he saw me. He wouldn’t leave my lap, but he’d still go to sleep with Erik. To make the long story of his passing shorter, Abu has been suffering from collapsing trachea. He’s had hard time breathing and on December 1 Eligha told me that they decided to put him to sleep. I made my way upstate and spent the last night and morning with Abu and his family while taking their portraits. Everyone was completely devastated and it was a very difficult decision to put him to sleep because he seemed so healthy on the outside. Abu peacefully passed away in Erik’s arms while staring in my eyes. Thank you Eligha and Erik for giving him so much love and a beautiful home I couldn’t give him myself. Love you miss you my good boy. #nationaldogday