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Danielle Carter 🫍

@dcarter786

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🌊The ocean is my happy place
📷:Whales and the best dog ever @kaia_monkey 🩵🫍
⚾️ LFGSD 💛🤎

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Some dogs become part of your life. And some dogs become part of who you are. 🥹🐾

Two nights ago, one of my closest friends had to say goodbye to her best friend, teammate, adventure buddy, and heart dog, Kaia. 💔

I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a more beautiful relationship between a human and a dog than Danielle and Kaia’s.

They were a team. They learned together, competed together, traveled together, and built this huge, beautiful life around each other. ❤️

And Kaia LIVED 🥹

I feel so lucky I got to share little pieces of that life with her: Mariners games and walking the bases ⚾️, brunches, pool days, car adventures, and seeing THAT wall of ribbons🏆😂 This dog had a more impressive résumé than most humans I know.

But my favorite part was simply getting to watch the 2 of them together.

Danielle, you gave Kaia a life full of purpose, adventure, silliness, and SO much love. And she gave it all right back.

She helped you do hard things, took you places you might never have gone, brought people into your life, and became such a huge part of who you are.

Somehow, out of every dog and every human in this world… you 2 found each other 🥹❤️

I’m so grateful that being your friend meant I got to love Kaia too.

You 2 gave each other the adventure of a lifetime ❤️

Rest easy, Queen Kaia. 👑🐾💛

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Kaia💛🫍

It’s not often I have the privilege of photographing a dog more than once, but I was lucky enough to have that chance with Kaia.

It was my second year in business and I met Kaia and her mom at a pet store. I told her I would be heading to Mammoth in a few weeks to do sessions in the fall colors and to my surprise and excitement, Danielle booked a session! The road tripped all the way to Mammoth and camped at Convict Lake to meet bright and early for our session. We explored all around the lake, and Kaia even went for a dip in the freezing cold water. I remember feeling so grateful someone decided to travel all that way for us to hang out and take photos🥰

Then there was the gallery wall contest. Kaia entered my second contest and was the 3rd place winner who raised $455 for Frosted Faces! We had our session at Scripps Pier on a gloomy March evening, but she brought the sunshine and magic!

Most recently, Kaia came to my first ever Petite Shared Session at Balboa Park. She trotted into center stage for her photos and rocked them (as per usual).

Danielle truly gave Kaia the best life filled with the best food, endless walks and adventures, dog sports, swimming, and so much more✨

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to document Kaia’s zest for life on multiple occasions and in multiple locations. Thank you for letting me document your sweet girl, Danielle🤍

Rest easy, @kaia_monkey 🌈

#souldog #goldenretriever #dogphotography #dogphotographer

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I don’t share every dog I’ve met who has crossed the bridge, but Kaia was truly one of a kind.

Kaia was proof that senior years can be some of the best years. Her person never treated age as a reason to slow down. If Kaia still had the energy, they were out there doing it together: hikes, adventures, sunshine, all of it. She stayed happy, curious, and active long after a lot of people would have decided it was time to take it easy.

Watching the two of them together was something special. They moved like a team, completely in sync, and you could see how much trust and love lived between them.

Danielle, thank you for giving Kaia such a full, joyful life and for letting me know her. She was so lucky to have you, and I know you were just as lucky to have her.

Run free, sweet Kaia 🤍

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RATCHx4 Miss Kaia Monkey BN RN AXP AXJ XF CAA BCAT RATSX2 CZ8PS DJX6 DS AJX4 HDNX TKI CGC FDC FTI TL1 UL1 SD1 LI1 VLB SVB ULC-1 VU-B, Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Hero #1505 💛

June 7, 2012-September 30, 2026

My heart is shattered into a million pieces and it still doesn’t feel real. There are not enough words to describe how special of a dog Kaia was. She started off as the dog that nobody wanted, but was clearly just waiting to find me. Kaia was my heart dog, my soul dog, my helper dog, my light and my love and my everything. And if you know anything about me, you know how Kaia was my entire personality (with a side of orcas and baseball)

Thank you for everything Kaia. For finding me, for everything you taught me and everything we learned together. I’m so thankful for how silly you are and how you always make me laugh and smile no matter what, you help me do hard things, and you keep me going. I’m so thankful that because of you, we met so many people, went so many places, accomplished so many things, and went on so many adventures. I’m so thankful for all of the days we had together, even the boring ones, because time spend with you is never wasted. You are my heart dog, my soul dog, my light and my love and my everything. You are my best friend, my teammate, my helper dog, my adventure buddy, my Padres dog, and my orca dog. You are a hero dog, an athlete, a champion, an actor, and a friend to all. Kaia you’ve made an impact on so many people and your legacy will live on and you will never be forgotten. 🥹

Kaia lived for 14 years, 3 months, and 24 days- and I’m so thankful that she had such a long and healthy life. Her last day was her worst day, and even then, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I’m so privileged to have spent 13 years, 6 months, and 29 days with Kaia. I have never had a dog live who lived such full and long life, but despite that, it will never be enough time. Kaia- you are the best dog in the whole wide world and the best dog that has ever been or ever will be. Thank you so much for being my buddy, please rest easy and pain free, and say hi to mom for me, your job here is done now. 🩵

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A few miles....a lot of moments...and stories I get to capture in between everything else with the ones who make it all matter.

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Some paw prints fade from the sand, but never from the heart. 💜
#doglove #beachwalks #pawprints #lensmomentsllc

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A fun shot of T99B spyhopping from this past fall! I’ve been trying to catch up on photos from the last few months as we gear up for the start of the 2026 season!

T99B “Holly” traveled with T36A1 “Tierna” and her son T36A1 “Drift” a lot this summer. The T36As and T99s are thought to be related making these two females possibly cousins! They were such a fun trio to watch and on this day, it was particularly interesting because it was a hunting and training say for toddler T36A1 “Drift”! They made several harbor seal hunts in just under a few hours, mostly allowing him to learn how to be a proficient hunter.

September 15, 2026
Taken on @westernprincewildlife

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As an artist, one of my favorite things about creating a magical piece, is seeing my clients look when they first see it. I love checking in to see where it was placed in their home 💕

“It’s on my mantle and I look at it everyday. It’s so perfect and I literally did not know that this type of art existed until I found you! I’m so happy I have it and love that it was a surprise for which photo you chose! And it was made even better getting it in person and getting to meet you!” -Kaia’s Mama 🐾

DM to Order your next pet gift! 🐶

#throwbackthursday #rewindandremember #sandiegoartists #petportraits #originalart

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“Bark at the Park” is paws down some of the best days of the year at Petco Park!! 🐶☀️🌇

It’s a true San Diego tradition, from pups in Padres jerseys to families soaking up the sun in Gallagher Square. There’s nothing like watching a ballgame surrounded by four-legged Friar Faithful fans...tails wagging, tongues out, and everyone part of the Padres pack!

Whether you’re here for baseball, belly rubs, or both, “Bark at the Park” is all about celebrating our “Fur-ever Fans” while having some fun at America’s finest ballpark! 🙌

#forthefaithful

📷: @seandiaz

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Beautiful morning in La Jolla with my girls and all the “guys”!

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I'm a day late posting for National Golden Retriever Day, but some of you probably wouldn't have noticed that unless I just told you.

Every time I meet a golden I am delighted by their personality. They are like that friend you can call that would give you the shirt off their back with no questions asked.

#sandiegopetphotographer #sandiegodogsofinstagram #sandiegodogphotographer #sandiegodogphotography #goldensofsandiego #goldenretrieversofinstagram

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What summer staff party is complete without a mechanical bull? Whooo doggy, this here aquarium sure does know how to throw a Neon Hoedown 🤠🔥🐂 And I'm not just talking about Matt 😜

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