Meet Solophena, my half-bald bestie

A few years ago I decided to downsize and only surround myself with simple, beautiful things. (Very liberating, give it a try!) During that time, I was searching for a pet and came across a tiny, nearly bald, 2 year-old, Chinese Crested dog in need of a home. Yes, the ones that always win the ugliest dog contests. They look like a cross between the last thing pulled from a burning building and something washed up on the beach that you can't quite make out.

Fast forward a few weeks and I'm on a meandering road trip from Maryland to North Carolina, breathing in the scenery, taking photos, and listening to audio-books, my favorite things. (Along with run-on sentences). I received a phone call from the owners of the little half-bald dog asking if I would like to meet them in Orlando. I left the gorgeous beaches of North Carolina and went in search of this strange looking dog.

I pulled up in a parking lot lined with palm trees and watched as the girl pulled this gray, shaking, puny puppy from the car. Wow. She was ...not what I expected. Her back looked like bumpy shark skin. I wasn't sure if I wanted to touch her. She was terrified and quivering. The girl explained that she had been a show dog, but she was too neurotic to be in the ring. The tiniest thing spooked her and she wouldn't cooperate. She wasn't good enough ...because she literally refused to jump through their hoops. She liked being alone. The other dogs bit her and took her food. Another family had taken her in and their dogs bit her and bullied her as well. I scooped up the odd little bundle of bizarre hair and weird skin without a second thought and knew that she was my girl.

She's been with me for a few years now. I find that up close, people are either repulsed by her or fall in love with her. She doesn't demand attention. She rarely barks or makes a sound. She doesn't follow me around or come running to meet me when I get home. She doesn't lick my face incessantly. She won't jump through my hoops either :) She happily wiggles a bit, then she curls up next to me in the tightest ball and is so utterly content just to know that I'm there. She's simple. Beautiful. Exactly what I was searching for.

When it came time to figure out a name for my photography business, I thought of her. Especially since she's my model for new lenses and lighting, ha! We often have to stop because people want to take her picture. She's been bullied and bit, tossed aside by her people, and moved to a strange new place ...where she's loved immensely. She's completely oblivious to the people who scrunch up their faces in disgust and pull their children back. They point at her and laugh and she never seems to mind. I wish we all had the ability to be as comfortable in our own skin. I often hear women say derogatory things about their bodies, their hair, or their clothes, myself included. Maybe you have had your own struggles, insecurities, and vulnerabilities. Maybe you think people only see your flaws and not your good stuff. Been there. Let me help you find your beautiful, whatever it may be :)

Warm wishes,

Chelle