The bond between a pet and its owner is special – and a local photographer explores how powerful the bond can be between the LGBTQ community and their rescue dogs.
Saturday marked the first day of Transgender Awareness Week, and the Don’t you want me The project kicks off, examining the powerful connection between trans and gay people and their rescue dogs, through compelling photos.
The photo project aims to share some of the unique journeys humans share with their furry babies and the impact this has had on their lives as they transition and grow together.
“The rescue dog has been through this predicament and once it’s safe it transforms,” said Jack Jackson, co-founder of the project.
“All of that anxieties and fears, aggression is gone, and it’s the same with some of the people on the project.”
Jackson moved to Canada 10 years ago from a small island in the English Channel. Leaving his career in finance, Jackson, who experienced transphobia as a trans man, was unemployed before finding photography and starting to photograph dogs, as well as the queer and trans community.
“I was not doing well, it was a very difficult time and I found myself completely alone,” he said. Then he saved his dog Jet.
“What kept me going and moving was Jet,” Jackson said.
He then began to capture other rescue dogs and their owners.
“The project isn’t all about mental health or vulnerability… it’s also stories of transformation,” Jackson said. “It’s about giving inspiration and hope to young people.”
One of the animal owner relationships captured in the project is Lucas Silveira and his Chihuahua pet, Marcy. Marcy came into her life five years ago, about a year after her divorce.
Silveira, a Canadian singer-songwriter from The Cliks, is also the first trans man to sign a major recording contract. It’s clear: Marcy saved him.
At the time, an old friend of Silveira’s who could no longer look after her dog called her to tell her that she had to give him Marcy.
“I love chihuahuas,” said Silveira. “I was going through a really, really tough time… went through a lot of depression, not only because of my divorce, but also the transition can be really tough at times. It’s been an amazing journey since then, to kind of be reborn and learning again that. I am.”
Silveira struggles with agoraphobia, a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear places or situations that could cause you to panic or feel trapped or helpless – which has escalated for him during the pandemic. Without Marcy, who earned Emotional Support Dog certification two months ago, he said he would have no reason to continue.
“She was incredible support for me and saved my life to be honest,” said Silveira. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have any reason to get up in the morning, I wouldn’t have any reason to make sure I was taking care of myself so that I could protect her.”
The Don’t you want me the project can be found in line. A traveling exhibit will also be on display in Pet Valu stores across Canada.
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