By: Maria Sampaio
Carole’s journey to Drake began with heartbreak and hope. “After we lost our sweet Belle, a Boykin mix, we reached out to Operation Little Brown Dog Rescue just to see if they might have a dog that could fit into our family,” she recalls. That call led them to Drake; a bouncy, joyful young Boykin whose owner, facing a kidney transplant, wanted nothing more than the perfect home for him. Carole and her son drove to Georgia to meet him, and the moment their eyes met, she knew. “As she handed me his leash, I leaned down and said, ‘You’re going to be my best friend,’ and that’s exactly what he’s been ever since.” Drake quickly wove himself into the heart of the family—beach adventures with the youngest son, afternoon naps with the oldest, and endless gratitude from Carole herself. She treasures that he was raised with love before joining them and continues to be surrounded by it now, because, as she says, “He deserves it.”
Stories like Carole’s are exactly what our Who Saved Who project is meant to celebrate—those incredible moments when a pet doesn’t just join a household, they become the heartbeat of it. As a luxury pet portrait photographer, my goal is to capture more than a pretty pose; I want to preserve the way they look at you, the trust in their eyes, and the connection you share. And because pets are truly part of the family, we often pair these with luxury family portraits, creating artwork that reflects the whole story—people, paws, and all. The love Carole and her boys share with Drake is the kind that radiates in every glance and every touch. Drake’s story with Carole is the perfect example of why this work matters so much. It’s not just about a portrait…it’s about honoring the love that changes everything. We would love to feature your story of who saved who—reach out to us to see if you’re a good fit for this special project. And if you’re looking to rescue a new family member of your own, we encourage you to check out Operation Little Brown Dog Rescue, the organization that helped connect Carole with her best friend.
“A rescued dog will love you forever.” — Anonymous
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