Stories of rescued dogs help other Edmond pets
Photographer creates book to assist shelters

BY JOHN A. WILLIAMS Comments 2
Published: May 14, 2009

Photographing dogs is what Melissa Rawlings loves to do.

Photographer Melissa Rawlings gets a kiss from her dog, Kyla. Rawlings’ photo book of rescued dogs raises money for Paws For Life and Edmond Animal Shelter. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

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GET THE BOOK

Paws for life

"The Rescued” is available through Rawlings’ Web site.

→To purchase a book, go to melissa rawlings.com.

→To become a Paws For Life volunteer, go to edmondok.com and click on the animal shelter link.

"I do that on the side,” she said. "I have a full-time office job and I have a part-time job in my vet clinic.” She also is a full-time college student.

Her favorite photo model is her four-year-old dog, Kyla, which she adopted from the Edmond Animal Shelter two years ago.

"I just started taking pictures of her and thought they turned out great so I started getting requests from co-workers and friends to take pictures of their dogs, and that’s how it started,” she said.

From her hobby, she said an idea came to her one day. "I love dogs. I believe in animal adoption from local shelters and I’m a photographer,” she said.

So she began to photograph dogs that were rescued from the animal shelter and included their pictures and stories in a book called "The Rescued.”

"They have found their forever home,” she said. "They’ve been either rescued or adopted from the shelter or picked up off the street.”

Rawlings, who volunteers with Paws For Life, an organization that serves Edmond Animal Shelter, is selling her book for $25 with all proceeds going to support both groups.

"Donations help out tremendously in purchasing cat litter, leashes and vet supplies,” said Ila Kay Lee, administrative specialist at the Edmond Animal Shelter.

"My dog is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Rawlings said. "If you’re thinking about bringing a furry friend into your life, please stop by your local shelter first. You might find your new best friend.”