Debbie Millman has an ongoing project at PRINT titled “What Matters.” This is an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers. This facet of the project is a request of each invited respondent to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Katherine Carver is the author of Abandoned: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs, which has been featured on CBS Mornings, including features in the: Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun, The Eye of Photography, Psychology Today, Animal Welfare Institute Quarterly Magazine, Modern Dog Magazine, AARP The Magazine, and podcasts and radio interviews.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
I love creating a body of photography work. A creative life is a more interesting life. There is nothing better than having an idea find you and then deciding to follow the inspiration and see where your curiosity leads you. I felt this way with creating my new book, Abandoned: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs. The idea for Abandoned literally came to me on a summer day during 2012, roughly a year-and-a-half after we had adopted our first rescue dog named Biscuit, a Shetland Sheepdog. He forever changed my life in so many ways—he opened my heart in a way like no other; he brought me back to my love of photography. My curiosity and experience with Biscuit made me aware of the dog overpopulation crisis in our country, and this set me on a path to learn more about what happens to these abandoned dogs. I began documenting the fate of roughly 60 dogs of various breeds, who found themselves in shelters or rescues in the Mid-Atlantic region. I first photographed each dog prior to adoption, and I then photographed these same dogs again roughly a year later. Written narratives accompany the dogs’ photographs, providing to the extent possible, how, and why each dog was abandoned. I also explore the significant positive impact these dogs have had on their human companions’ lives, and vice versa.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
The first memory I have of being creative is during my high school senior year. I needed an art credit, and I fortuitously was placed into a photography class. It was an instant love affair—I spent any spare time I had in the darkroom creating images. During my last year of college, I took a few photography classes, with fine art credits waived, and I loved every minute of it while being exposed to a wide array of photographic artists. After college, I attended law school, and I promised myself that I would keep photography in my life somehow. Once Biscuit entered my life, he was the catalyst that really brought me back to photography, and I then began working on Abandoned, which took me over a decade to complete. I owe such a great debt to Biscuit.
What is your biggest regret?
I always try my best to live a life of “oh well” versus “what ifs.” I never want to have regrets, and I want to continue to always take risks and pursue my curiosity and dreams. Otherwise, I would be living a life of regrets.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
For me, I think any type of heartbreak is akin to experiencing a grieving process. For me, feeling all my feelings and working through this grieving process is the only way to get to the other side for me.
What makes you cry?
Goodbyes, especially permanent goodbyes, such as losing a loved one or a beloved animal, are extremely difficult and always lead to many tears for me. I love this quote by Suzanne Clothier, “There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals. It is a cycle unlike any other. To those who have never lived through its turnings or walked its rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge they will be broken seems incomprehensible. Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.” Also, on the opposite end of the spectrum, moments of pure, fleeting joy can bring me to my knees. For example, watching my daughter work diligently towards a goal and succeed makes me extremely proud leading to tears of joy.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
I believe the pride and joy of accomplishing a dream lasts forever, as nobody can take away one’s feeling of pride and joy when one accomplishes a big feat or dream. I can always transport myself back to my big accomplishments. However, I do my best to savor the present moment and present accomplishments, so that I truly enjoy the accomplishment. I am grateful for these journeys of self-discovery.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
I am not sure exactly what I believe regarding an “afterlife,” per se. I believe our souls, our essence, continue to live on in some manner after death. I also believe that our loved ones, including our beloved animals who have passed away, are always with us, providing us with guidance if we are willing to tune in, be present, and see the signs from the Universe.
What do you hate most about yourself?
I am not sure there is anything that I necessarily truly “hate” about myself. Something I am constantly working on is always being open to continually learning and growing in any way possible. I am continuously working on trusting the process and trusting that everything shows up right on time, but perhaps not on my timeframe. I also look for the lessons when things do not go the way or turn out the way that I had hoped.
What do you love most about yourself?
What I love most about myself is the ability to follow my curiosity, dream big, persevere, and never give up. Abandoned is a testament to these themes. I hope through my dedication and efforts that Abandoned reaches and touches as many people as possible, as it is timely and casts a light on the current dog overpopulation crisis in our country. In 2023, in the United States, 3.2 million dogs entered shelters/rescue organizations; 2.2 million of these dogs received homes; however, 1 million dogs did not. It is my great hope that Abandoned will help raise awareness of this crisis and encourage people to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue organization. Additionally, I also hope people witness through this project that it is possible to follow your dream and bring it to fruition.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
My favorite meal is when our little family, including my husband, my daughter, and our rescue fur girl, Victory, goes out to dinner together—exhaling the day, being present with one another, spending time together outside, taking in the fresh air, while enjoying a delicious meal together at one of our favorite restaurants!
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