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John & Shep On Lake Superior
Posted in Blog, Dogs!, Featured Work, Personal Work | 368 comments
This 19 year old Shep being cradled in his father’s arms earlier this week in Lake Superior. Shep falls asleep every night when he is carried into the lake. I was so happy I got to capture this moment for John. By the way, John rescued Shep as an 8 month old puppy, and he’s been by his side through many adventures 
.
This Facebook post has gone viral, and I am so excited to welcome new fans from all over! I am in the midst of crazy season, and had no clue this would take off like it has. Love to everyone!! If you are interested in prints, please go here.
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Truly, God knew what He was doing when He gave us these incredible creatures!
R.I.P. my beautiful Seymour.
Amazing picture! You captured true love between a man and his best friend!
A perfect moment – from every angle. Thank you Hannah, and happy days to John and his precious charge, Shep.
The esence of what humans should be like–my own love “magnum”passed in my arms in april of this year-i rushed to go to sleep so i could see him in my dreams again–once in a long while does something so purely good comes your way-this was it-all our prayers.
The picture is so poignant. It made me rub my two dogs.
Thank you so much! Great shot, so moving. You have done the world a great favor by sharing it.
You really captured the moment – looks like they’ve had quite a journey together (:
Every time I look at this photo, tears come to my eyes. The photo captures such deep emotion. Such pure love and devotion are remarkable.
We are dealing with the coming end of life of our Basset,Sebastian…hoping that he will let us know when it is time for him to go. His face is as grey as Schoep’s. We have ramps and all kinds of comfort measures for him….never taking vacations ourselves. I dread the end but rest assured that he will be the first to great me when my time comes. On another note…who in their right mind would leave John?
This sweet, simple picture says more than words could every possibly say. There is more love between the two of them than most people could imagine. God brought John to Schoep because He knew that John would love and take care of him. God brough Schoep to John because He knew that Schoep would love and take care of John. Hannah, I hope you win photography’s top honor for this picture. God bless you.
Hannah ~ This photo speaks volumes of love, emotion, caring. Schoep’s unconditional love for John, and John’s unconditional love for Schoep. My prayers go out to them. Thank you so much for sharing this photo. You have touched the world with your work! I like what you said “I can’t believe I get to do this”. You are a blessing! We are all glad you get to do this!
Such a beautiful photo and story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
I usually would never persuit comments, pictures or even articles to write about them or comment on. that’s NOT my style nor my personality. BUT, I have to tell you this picture is very touching and it was touching enough to make me tear up and even drop a few~~! The last time I truly cried was at the death bed of my dog “Bishop”and that broke me for a few month and even now years later I still miss him and think about him a lot. It’s truly hard to lose your best friend!
Thank you,
GIL P
C’est une photo d’une tendresse absolue, d’un respect total et d’un amour partagé. J’espère que Shep sera encore mieux soigné avec la vente de sa photo.
Je souhaite à Shep et à John de s’aimer encore très longtemps.
Magnifique ! quel beau moment d’émotion
You have just made my cry… I love dogs… They are everything to me…Send my hugs and kisses to Shep and his amazing owner…
I am so touched!!! Love you John & Shep!!!
I LOVE ANIMES,MY FRIENDS AND I LOVE SHUGO CHARA,NARUTO,FAIRY TAIL,CARD CAPTOR SAKURA UNS…
xDD
Shep can be helped with Stemcell therapy. I know it works because it greatly helped my cat. It is a fairly new
therapy. It is being performed all over the country for arthritic dogs and cats.
I spent around $2500.00 on the procedure. This picture has generated so much attention on the net that someone needs to set up a small donation fund. The money could be raised quickly if it is too expensive for John.
First thing to do is talk to some Vets that know about Stemcells. A few vets have the equipment to prepare the Stemcells in house. It is about a four to six hour procedure.
Hang in there you two.
One of the best photos I have seen these last months. So peacefull!
This story, and more importantly, this photograph—-it takes me back to the basics. It makes me forget about the current political fight between the right and the left,….it makes me remember what is truly valuable in our lives……it makes me ashamed that we have not fought enough (in this country) for the rights of the creatures we propagate and then so very often neglect. This photo makes me ashamed that I have not done enough, myself, to fight for laws that protect the many, many creatures who are abused and neglected.
John—Please know that your story has touched a great number of people and touched them deeply. You and your Schep–the incredible strength and love in the bond between you….you both are making a huge, huge impact on so very many people….
What an incredible legacy that you and Schep have created…and I am so very grateful, on behalf of all of the needy creatures out there, that you have allowed your love and your bond with Schep to be made public….you, John, must be a very special man…..who encountered and saved and shared his life with an also very special dog. And you two have truly impacted a great many with your story.
From South of France,
S’abandonner ainsi. Dans une Confiance Totale.
je ne peux détacher mes yeux de cette photo simplement sublime. des larmes.
l’humain retrouve sa part d’Humanité,
pour et grâce à l’Amour d’un Animal.
Merci à Toi mon Chien, qui m’accompagne d’un tel Amour depuis 12 ans.
we posted previously but i guess it didnt go through–we were amazed at this picture and storey-this is the best part of human beings though it comes rarely-we lost our magnum in march-he passed in my arms-all the best wishes to these two wonderfull creations-God Bless
Such a wonderful and touching photo. I will always remember it.
This is true love!
merci Hannah
Keep going back to this picture, beautiful. thank you for sharing.
Absolutely beautiful capture! I only wish we could see more.
Is John single, by any chance?
OH MY GOD!! This is truly touching -I have goosebumps all over. what a moment!! thank you SO much for this – and thank you john, for treating your dog with the upmost respect!! <3
As a fellow dog lover and owner of two wonderful dogs myself, I have to say that the story behind the photo made me cry! There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my fur babies! Beautiful work!
You have captured love on film. I too am moved to tears. Please tell John he has moved the world. This is something so special. Absolutely beautiful….
This story has reached Latvia, and many of us feel moved in the same way as Americans were. What a story!
As the writer Arthur Clarke once put it in a work of his, of all the animals on Earth, it is only the dog that man has succeeded in forming close ties with. Dogs live with us, dogs sleep next to us, dogs are there to protect us and to give us their unconditional love and affection. Again, what a story!
As I fight back the tears…my two Cairn Terriers are now 12 and slowing down. I cherish each day, but far to frequently all the day to day trash to crowd out our time together. I will indeed renew my efforts to spend time with my babies before they are gone. THANK you for reminding me what is important.
This is love, every time I look at the photo I cry…..
Fantastic shot, I hope shep is ok and of course John. Shep looks at peace in the photo.
Very loving, would love to find someone who would love me like that. xx
From Argentina thanks for this wonderful vision
Simply stunning. LOVE! Restores my faith in people!!
this is truly a deep loving,forever bond to which both r truly comitted. we so obessed with the love of r 4 legged children that we hope that they really know how much we would do 4 them.we have a 15 year old german shepard boy(kuma),and we just lost r beautiful baby girl (sheba) she was a pure white german shepard and was 16,we cry 4 her daily. we r so touched by the peace in the stillness of shep being that he is getting some relief from the warm waters on his body,and having his daddy holding him tightly in his arms,letting him know it’s o.k. i’m here! love with no bounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a beautiful story. Y’all are lucky to have each other.
It’s been years since I had to put down my 17-year old daschund Cruiser.
He helped me get through some rough years, especially after the death of my mom.
Even though I was in denial of his aging body, Cruiser let me know it was time. His little
Body was tired. We spent our last day doing all of his favorite things.
We took beautiful photographs of him, but I stroked his fur for hours as I wanted to
Remember his softness, his smell, & look into his eyes- they were just soulful.
We went for a car ride, napped, & he ate all his favorite foods. As I held him before he slipped
Away, I reassured Cruiser that it was okay to let go..& that I would see him on the
Other side. It was a peaceful release. I am so grateful for having Cruiser in my life & to the friends who helped me
When I knew his impending departure was close.
He is still with me in spirit & in my heart & memories.
Oh what I would give to hold him one more time.
Just be in the moment & know that you both are where you’re meant
To be. Be strong for each other.
Hugs & a peaceful release when the time comes.
Brenda
Stunning, touching, true…
The man is as kind as his dog is trusting.
Truly a moving photo.
As soon as I saw the photo I thought the dog was about to die…and only the thought of having to read such a news broke my heart… than I read the article and was even more moved… emotional and tearful thanks to you for the wonderful shot, to Shep for his love for John, and to John for his love for Shep… The news has bounced on Yahoo Italy (I am Italian) and I have read it while in Korea… a marvelous way to confirm you how this photo has become an internationally acclaimed masterpiece of humanity. Long live Shep! Long live John and Shep’s unconditional love! GRAZIE!!! for this incredible expression of hope…
oh god the video of the two in the water, the story and the photo just absolutely wiped me out. Amazing
I showed 30 people at work this photo. I smiled ad
I showed 30 people at work this photo. I smiled and cried. This
Thank you for sharing! I showed many people at work. I would be lost with out my beloved dog sadie. John will get many blessings for his devoted love for shep
Thank you for giving your dog unconditional love and top notch care dogs deserve!
I hope the good Lord above blesses you richly.
Great photo, thanks!
How much are you selling them?
How can I send Schoep some money for his bills?
Thanks, AC
13106 Regency Way
San Antonio, TX 78249
This is the most moving picture I’ve ever seen, of a man and his dog. What unconditional love. Many blessings to John and Shep, from South America…
I am crying with happiness for the loss of my pet just an hour ago, and I suddenly saw your story and photo on the news. I also found my Sammy at the SPCA and she had been abused terribly. I just knew when I saw her that I had to give her the life she never had. It took months for her to come out of her shell and to learn that she could have a life and to have self confidence and happiness. Over the years she blossomed and has always been there for me and my husband, We have been blessed with our ‘diamond in the ruff’, our dear Sammy. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photo.
Beautiful~~such a simple picture but yet says so very much. You can see, almost feel, the love John has for Shep. I can just evision John picking Shep up with such tender care and taking him into the warm water. Both John and Shep shows many emotions. Shep feels utter saftey laying against John’s chest and he can sense the security. John holding Shep in such a way it is just lulling Shep into a peaceful sleep. What a dog and what a man. I would love to meet John someday.