Melissa Oholendt | Minnesota Wedding & Lifestyle Photography

I really have no words left to say but THANK YOU. Sincerely and with all of my heart, THANK YOU.

Through your retweets, reposts, comments and re-blogs of the original post, your love for the animals of Japan blew my mind. I spent last night re-reading through the 130 comments and was so overcome with emotion and love for this community of people that I had to stop reading and find that dog of mine for a cuddle session. Thank you to the people who commented that you were also texting to make a $10 donation to the American Humane Association; spending my money is easy, but the desire to spend your own hard earned money is not as easy of a desicion and I’m so inspired by each one of you.

To my incredible redheaded friend, Erin, thank you for the idea and for the inspiration to make that committment and not look back. I gained far more in spirit than I ever could repay.

To my amazing parents who are matching my $130 donation to the American Humane Association, there is no doubt that I wouldn’t be half the woman I am without your leading examples all of my life. I love you so, so much.

To Gunnar, thank you for being the perfect example of  a dog who made a girl love more than she thought capable.

XOXO times infinity.

If you’d like to make a donation of your own to the American Humane Association, please go to this page.

Dear Baby Linnea,

You’ve been here less than a month but I bet you already have your daddy wrapped around that beautiful little pinky of yours, don’t  you? I bet the minute he held you, he promised to God and anyone listening that he would protect you and your mom no matter what life would bring. I bet the second your mom held you she squeezed you tight and thanked God that you were finally here and that you were simply perfect. I’m also betting that your mom and dad never knew how capable they were of love until you came into their lives and that they are learning just how much more love they have in their hearts every day they get to hold, cuddle and love you. Part of me wishes you could have known your mom and dad before they became your parents and saw how deeply they loved each other and how much more they love each other now but I know that this love, the love they have for you, far surpasses anything they’ve ever experienced before. Treat them well, little Linnea, for your arrival has been eagerly anticipated and much planned for.

Love to infinity,
Auntie Melissa.

<< Through the end of Friday, I will be donating $1 for every comment left on this post to the American Humane Association who’s Red Star Team currently is working day and night to find and rescue animals affected by the tsunami & earthquake in Japan. Please take 30 seconds to comment and then go give your furry friend a kiss from me. >>

I’m asking you for your help. Actually, I take that back; I need your help on this one. I can’t do it alone. Read on.

photo credit: (the fabulous) Lucky Mutt Photography

I am (quite certainly) the definition of the crazy dog person that you shake your head at. The person who loves her dog as much as a human baby (I can say this because I don’t have a human baby.); I’m also the person who thinks kissing her dog, square on the mouth (multiple times a day), is a totally normal occurence and one that I will actively search him out in the house to do.

Please still like me.

I think it’s obvious at this point, but this dog means the world to me. If anything were to happen to him, the word devasted would not even touch it; if we were separated, you had better believe I would be doing everything in my power to get him back.

Enter the tragedy in Japan last week. I wracked my brain trying to figure out a way to help and since I can’t be there myself to help, I wanted to find a way that wouldn’t just be throwing money at a problem but would be actively DOING something to better the situation of those affected. An amazing redheaded friend, who’s photo is proudly next to mine in the “crazy dog person” dictionary, inspired my decision to focus my efforts on the animals and, in particular, the American Humane Association who’s Red Star Team currently is working day and night to find and rescue animals affected by the tsunami and earthquake.

This is where you come in. I will make a $1 donation for every comment that is made between now and Friday, March 25. It can be a single-word comment or it could be confessions of your undying crazy love for that furry little animal at home; I honestly don’t care, just please comment. And spread the word. The more people know about it, the more animals can be saved or reunited with their owners. You can also donate $10 by texting PROTECT to 85944.

I pray that none of us are ever effected by the effects of a widespread tragedy but if we were, I hope that someone would care enough about the well being of that dog, who brings me more joy than I ever thought possible, to do something about it.

I happened upon this photo yesterday and that was the end of it. It will take you 30 seconds and could potentially create this kind of joy for another human being; really, how could you not?

photo credit

It really is a ridiculous obsession considering the fact that I live in a city but I find myself completely head-over-heels in love with the entire concept of horse riding. I’m blaming it on those movies I love where the mysterious, handsome man comes through a break in the fog (on a horse) and steals the heart of the ever-charming heroine but it also might be traced back to the fashion. Long ago Ralph Lauren completed the missing piece in my heart by perfecting the Equestrian culture and made riding breeches an acceptable and even a fashionable choice outside the horse environment and, to this day, my staple go-to outfit is a crisp button-up shirt, leggings and tall boots.

For years now I’ve been channeling my inner esquestrian heart into clothes but when the opportunity arose to photograph horses at a friend of the family’s stables the last time I was in Maryland, I was in the car with my gear before my mom was even off the phone. Now that, people, is eternal love.

It rolls on like a highlight reel in my head. WPPI 2011 will go down as the best trip of my life with some of my best friends and, trust me, I know how bold of a statement that is.

Gina-bean. Roomies & Airplanes. Did you really expect anything less from me? Two of the coolest women on the planet: Caroline & Nancy.

MTH Alum Night o’ Fun. My girl E. iPhoning with G & Caroline. No one had more beautiful roommates; no one.

Loves. Loves times infinity. Weird faces with the ban.do. Besties in the smilebooth.

Because who doesn’t love a bed photo? MK & MO. MTH Vegas. Tradeshowing.

Images shamelessly stolen from LC, EJ & CC.