Love the Dog in Front of You
Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a behavioural syndrome that affects old dogs. Dogs with CCD will display behavioural alterations such as an inability to think with normal clarity, altered interactions with their owners, other pets and the home environment, disturbances to their normal sleep-wake cycle, soiling in the house and changes in their normal activity. This severely impaired cognitive function is considered to be akin to human dementia illnesses. Increased degeneration in the brain is caused by protein build up called plaques and leads to changes in the animal’s sociability and the gradual loss of learned behaviours. One of the challenges is that the looks of ageing don’t necessarily exist with animals therefore it is harder to observe the effects of dementia on animals than it is with humans. This gallery presents the story of Poppy, a Scottish West Highland Terrier that on coming up to her 12th birthday had developed CCD and had been displaying the signs and symptoms of her declining cognitive function. This is a difficult time for both Poppy and me. I have used photography as a form of therapy, achieved through the medium’s potential to allow a connection with the world around us and has helped me accept the reality of this cruel and complicated disease. The intention of these images is to present these symptoms in a manner that highlights the loss both to the dog and to me and to convey this in a sympathetic and personal way. In memory of Poppy 2008 - 2020