Landfill Dogs by Shannon Johnstone

Landfill Dogs is a photography series by Mary Shannon Johnstone. I’ve enjoyed it so much, I want to share it with you. Her work is so moving and inspiring.

Johnstone has been spending time photographing dogs who live at animal shelters. Each week, she’ll take a dog and to a landfill to run, play, and eat treats. The dogs get to ride in a car and have some one-on-one attention. The individual attention and play time are rare at over-crowded animal shelters.

Afterwards, Johnstone posts photos from the shoot on Facebook. Each dog is up for adoption. Some of the dogs have already found homes.

These are stunning and beautiful photos that “showcase the beautiful souls of the most unwanted dogs.” With her permission, I’m sharing some of her work here so you can enjoy it.

The statement on the Landfill Dogs Facebook page explains the project and the significance of the landfill best:

These are not just cute pictures of dogs. These are dogs who have been homeless for at least two weeks, and now face euthanasia if they do not find a home. Each week for 18 months (late 2012–early 2014) I bring one dog from the county animal shelter and photograph him/her at the local landfill. The landfill site is used for two reasons. First, this is where the dogs will end up if they do not find a home. Their bodies will be buried deep in the landfill among our trash. These photographs offer the last opportunity for the dogs to find homes. The second reason for the landfill location is because the county animal shelter falls under the same management as the landfill. This government structure reflects a societal value; homeless cats and dogs are just another waste stream. However, this landscape offers a metaphor of hope. It is a place of trash that has been transformed into a place of beauty. I hope the viewer also sees the beauty in these homeless, unloved creatures. As part of this photographic process, each dog receive a car ride, a walk, treats, and about 2 hours of much needed individual attention. My goal is to offer an individual face to the souls that are lost because of animal overpopulation, and give these animals one last chance. This project will continue for one year, so that we can see the landscape change, but the constant stream of dogs remains the same. — Mary Shannon Johnstone

There are so many reasons I love this project. The photos are beautiful and moving. I’m inspired by how she’s turned her photography talent into a life-saving tool for the dogs. What she has shared taught me a lot about what’s happening at the shelters.

When I first met Shannon Johnstone, I was a student at Meredith College. She had moved to North Carolina from Chicago, a city that has had a firm grip on my heart for so many years. I remember listening in awe as she told me about running around the lake. (Boy, was I jealous.) She has also just adopted a sweet, shy dog which we got to meet a few times. I loved it.

Ms. Johnstone came to Meredith College just as I was preparing to graduate. I was incredibly lucky to have her as a professor, even for just a short time. She challenged me, expected a lot from me, and wouldn’t let me get away with much in class. I needed that.

I’m so moved by her work and want to do more to help the Landfill Dogs.

Adoption

If you’re thinking about bringing a dog into your life, please consider adoption. Do some research about breeds to be sure you’re finding the right fit. If you’re set on having a pure breed, don’t ignore the animal shelters. Pure breeds are often surrendered to the animal shelters.

You can also foster. If you’re not sure about offering a “forever home” to an animal, fostering is a great opportunity. Fostering a dog will keep him out of the animal shelter and safe from euthanasia until he finds a permanent home. There’s a lot of joy in fostering.

You can also like Landfill Dogs on Facebook to see more photos from Mary Shannon Johnstone. There are some incredible photos of dogs available for adoption on the page. If you feel so inclined, share them with your friends. You may know someone looking for a sweet pup to add to the family.

UPDATE (12/10/2013): Shannon Johnstone’s work has gotten a LOT of coverage in the news lately. How wonderful! Here are a few places to get more information: Mashable, Buzzfeed, Picture Correct, HLN, N&O, HuffPo, Today, Yahoo!, and ABC.