Rachael Rodgers is an extraordinary photographer who beautifully captures her road trips with a unique twist—her travel companions are dogs without permanent homes.
Based in the charming hamlet of Exshaw in Alberta, Canada, Rodgers has embarked on countless journeys with hundreds of dogs across Canada, as well as the states of Washington, Utah, and Oregon.
Her incredible adventure began with a simple Instagram post that unexpectedly went viral.
‘There was no initial plan for such a project,’ Rodgers told CNBC. ‘I discovered that I had a substantial number of followers on Instagram who were more interested in my photos of dogs. So, I decided to volunteer at a local shelter, taking pictures of adoptable dogs and posting them instead.’
‘I do it because I have accidentally developed this remarkable ability to change a dog’s life,’ says Rachael Rodgers, the talented photographer.
Rachael Rodgers
Photographer
Since that fateful Instagram post, Rodgers has continued photographing canine companions. She now collaborates with over 20 shelters, picking up dogs for adventures such as hiking and kayaking in national and provincial parks. Even while on personal travels, Rodgers makes it a point to volunteer at shelters along the way.
Rodgers highlights three dogs available for adoption: Paddy, Aurora, and Wilma.
Source: Rachael Rodgers
Rodgers proudly states that nearly every dog she has photographed has found a forever home, with only three exceptions: Paddy, Aurora, and Wilma, as shown above.
Traveling with man’s best friend
Rodgers’ Instagram account @trailsandbears serves as a delightful gallery showcasing the dogs in the Canadian wilderness, engaging in activities like kayaking in Moraine Lake, Alberta, and mountain hiking in the Yukon, a Canadian territory.
‘To kickstart each adventure, I typically drive 60 to 90 minutes in any direction from my home,’ Rodgers explains. ‘I plan my itinerary flexibly, depending on the information I receive about the dog ahead of time.’
In her photographs, Rodgers strives to capture each dog’s unique personality. To accomplish this, she curates activities based on the dog’s preferences, highlighting their strengths to potential adopters.
‘The dogs usually ride in the back of my car, sometimes opting for shotgun,’ she amusingly remarks. ‘I typically post videos of the dogs during the car rides, allowing viewers to witness their responses.’
Rodgers and Feta, a puppy from the Whitehorse Humane Society, share a special moment at a deserted gold mine in the Yukon, Canada. Feta has since found a loving home.
Source: Rachael Rodgers
‘A few years ago, it used to be quite challenging to visit shelters,’ Rodgers recalls. ‘I received strange looks and numerous rejections. However, these days, more often than not, I don’t even need to explain what I would like to do.’
Oftentimes, people recognize her from her Instagram page.
The need for better representation
Rodgers shares that traveling with rescue dogs can be challenging, but her commitment to representing them drives her to continue volunteering.
Rodgers revels in playtime with three shelter dogs.
Source: Rachael Rodgers
‘I do it because I have inadvertently acquired this powerful tool, audience, and ability to change a dog’s life. It is not my personal preference, but it is vital to showcase rescue dogs in real-world environments,’ she explains. ‘You cannot judge a dog solely based on their behavior in a shelter—it is an artificial space. Therefore, it is crucial to get them out into a natural environment and engage in activities that potential adoptive families might do with them.’
Rodgers advises dog owners who wish to travel with their pets to pay attention to their moods. She advises, ‘Provide them with mental health stops, allowing them to explore and sniff around to lighten the journey.’
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
