Ingo and Poldi: Most Unlikely Friends

These pics are so lovely.

Had to share them.

Subject: Ingo and Poldi: Most Unlikely Friends

Tanja Brandt
Tanja Brandt is a German photographer who has dedicated her career towards photographing animals and wildlife.
In one of her most recent projects,
Brandt shot photographs of a highly unlikely pair of friends – Ingo, the Belgian shepherd; and Poldi (Napoleon), the one-year-old owlet.
Tanja Brandt
Poldi and Ingo are both pets of Brandt's, and have formed a bond over the past year that the photographer simply couldn't ignore.
Brandt is a professional photographer, and has years of experience doing photoshoots with various animals.
Ingo, the shepherd, is one of her most loyal and popular models.

"The dog is very very well educated. He is able to do every order by far.
Head down, head right, stay, sit, everything… but not so with the birds."

Brandt describes the relationship between Ingo and Poldi as somewhat of a 'protector-protected' relationship.
Ingo is a guardian for Poldi, whom Brandt states "doesn't know how to live free".

Poldi didn't hatch until two days after his six brothers and sisters, and has always been very vulnerable due to his size.
Ingo, on the other hand, comes from a family of strong and oftentimes ruthless police dogs.

Ingo is very protective over the year-old owlet, and their bond is as strong off-camera as it appears in Tanja's photographs.

"They respect each other and they can read each other."

Ingo is often photographed with various birds (such as the Harris hawk)
and other animals, but he doesn't share a bond with anyone quite like he does with Poldi.

Comments

What is success?

Success is not giving a hoot. If you can be a 45 year old cat woman playing in front of 3000 people, totally uninhibited, then you are succeeding. Because if you are able to do that, you are in the present moment, not caring about what anybody else thinks. Not worried about their judgements or how you think you should be coming across. (ok, so I was a little worried, so not 100% successful, but I continue to strive to be free of this nonsence) When you have that presence of mind in front of animals, that is when you are succeeding.

A Lesson in Surrender

I always found the concept of surrender a cop out. Something one would do if one was too weak to take on a situation. So, when I found myself in a situation where I am unable to follow my passion in the most effective manner, I experienced great discomfort. Speaking up was immediately taken as judgement. Even though it was never intended as that. The presumed judgement resulted in defence. And the drama began, and unfolded. Chasms and vindication ruled. Frustration and finger pointing. What has this to do with animals? For those of us that work with animals, they are like kids. They sense how we feel. Our moods affect them. So, when this type of angst environment is created, the disturbance affects the creatures that we love. The lesson – stop the angst. It is not worth upsetting the animals. Nothing is. So, surrender. Not sure where this will go. But I am here righ...

cove slaughter

I am saddened and battling to understand people again. The cove dolphins are cordoned off, awaiting slaughter. Some being taken to dolphin facilities world wide. How do people stand there and do this? How do they sleep at night with those decisions in their head? Then again how do we all? Driving to a bird sanctuary yesterday I saw a cattle truck on its way to the abattoir. What is the difference? Then I saw a bearded vulture at the sanctuary. Only 320 of the left in the world and they are planning wind generators in their area – a certain death certificate. Here is a prayer – look into the eyes of an animal. Or a human. See them for the miracle that they are. Then make choices that are respectful and loving. As yourself – What would love do? I am so grateful that I am surrounded by animals. And so grateful that there is no effort required for me to care for them.

Touching Animal Souls

Search This Blog