Total Commitment
East Shore, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Dog: Owen Leve
Camera: Hasselblad XPan
What makes it special: There is nothing like the pure, natural expression of an innate being. One who is unbothered by ego with a spirit that rejoices in play, completely immersed in our beautiful world.
The story: "Like any dog, Owen lives in the moment, free from worries and responsibilities. Why not? He was in his favorite world. A place where crystal-clear water, granite rocks and the mountain fauna reigned. He was with his human life partner, Court, and a number of Homo Sapiens who he had played with many times before. Best of all, they were focusing on him and speaking his language of adventurous fun.
After a morning of swimming and jumping around the pristine granite boulders of Lake Tahoe's East Shore, Owen had become quite comfortable with our game. He had been placed onto a variety of perches, given the commands to wait and then was given the green light to jump. Waiting was no easy task for a being anticipating brief realization of flight. Every time he took the plunge the crystal waters seemed to touch his soul. He would climb out again and again to be placed on yet another perch. He sat there ready, fixed on his target, his metaphorical toy bobbing on the surface of the water. We all new that it was impossible for him to leap far enough to reach his goal and yet, again and again, he launched with every ounce of his being.
Humans have a hard time letting go. We often hold back, never fully committing to our goals. If only we could forget our fears and take that ever important leap of faith. When Owen jumped he gave it all, 100%. He jumped with total commitment."
