Joseph Handsomedog has had a great year. This gentle German Shepherd has had a year great enough to wash away the pain and illness caused by the previous four years tied to a tree and left to nearly starve. (See the article at this link for more background.) Over the past year since being rescued by Middletown, Ohio’s PAWS Adoption Center, Joseph has been treated for chronic ear infections and heartworm, gained about 40 pounds, and lived in the loving company of his foster mother, Gail Corrill and his three German Shepherd sisters.
Joseph Handsomedog greets friends at his birthday party.
Today, September 27, 2014, is one year since Joseph was rescued, and Gail has named this day as Joseph’s birthday, since no-one knows the day he was born, and this year truly has been a rebirth for him. This is also the day that Gail officially adopts Joseph. In honor of the day, Gail organized a community birthday party for Joseph in the new PAWS facility that just opened a few months ago.
Joseph Handsomedog watches friends prepare for the birthday party.
Joseph is ready to lend a paw, or perhaps just check to see if any crumbs have fallen!
As Joseph’s friends from near and far came to the party and enjoyed delicious hot dogs, chips, cupcakes, and lemonaide, Joseph made sure they were welcome, greeting them with his signature giant fleece bone, reaching out to be petted, and generally tolerating the requisite birthday hat. Josephs doggy sisters Lexi and Pepper were there too. Sadly, sister Lola passed away a little more than a week ago, but she made Joseph a welcome member of the family even while she battled her own cancer.
Joseph and his family on a holiday card from 2013.
A young friend enjoys a “Joseph” birthday cupcake.
Joseph Handsomedog greets partygoers with his signature giant fleece bone.
My contribution to the event, as owner and photographer at Dogpatch Pix Pet Portrait Studio, was to donate a birthday photography session for Joseph and to create a memorable photographic portrait of him to hang in the new PAWS building. About one month ago Joseph came for his session. I selected a beautiful pose, and I reached out to one of the premier art canvas printing companies in the United States, and an Ohio neighbor, Simply Color Lab, to see if they would donate the printing and framing of the portrait. They very generously agreed. Thank you so much Simply Color Lab for your wonderful contribution to the day!
Gail Corrill shows party guests Joseph Handsomedog’s birthday portrait by Susan Gertz of Dogpatch Pix.
Joseph’s birthday portrait will be featured in the 2015 PAWS charity calendar. Joseph was the cover dog for the 2014 calendar, and while he had improved in health and appearance so much last November when the calendar was photographed, he has come so much further in health as of today and is truly the handsome dog he was meant to be.
Joseph was the cover dog for the 2014 PAWS charity calendar.
I also enjoyed some treats at the party in honor of Joseph! Thank you Joseph Handsomedog for inviting me!
Just stunning. My family has followed Joseph from the first report of his abuse – looking at how far he’s come, and how much he’s now loved restores a little bit of faith in humanity. Gail is my hero. The pictures you took are wonderful – the little party hat brought me to tears. I’m so glad Joseph found his happy ending – no animal should ever have to suffer.
Michelle, it is lovely to hear from you! I am so honored that I have been able to photograph Joseph and document some wonderful happy moments in his life!
Your pictures of Joseph’s birthday party are beautiful! I’ve seen other pictures that you have taken and they are always Fantastic! Thanks for sharing Joseph’s special day with your pictures!
Sally, thanks so much for visiting the page! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
Nice captures of the party!
That’s such a great photograph of Joseph, Susan! I am so glad he found his forever home that’s filled with love from his human parent as well as pet siblings! God is so great!
Fong, it was a great day to celebrate Joseph’s happiness!
Love all the pictures and comments. Thank you Susan.
Beautiful pictures,as usual! Wish I could have been there, but work gets in the way sometimes! He is a gorgeous GSD, shows you what love can do
It was lovely to meet you formally and to share photographing the party together. Your photos are lovely and I always enjoy seeing how someone else saw the same things I did!
Thanks, Linda! I enjoyed meeting you as well, and your photos of the part were just great!
I love this Susan…your “story telling” of this special day is phenomenal!
I will never forget this angel and his mommy???????
My sweet boy you are so loved now. How wonderful to have such a caring family at last. Love you !!
Dear Joseph, how loved you are. Now that you are at the Rainbow Bridge, all your health is restored. You were,and are, so loved by all. Sweet dreams, My precious boy.