The Little Things We Never Want to Forget | Leo and Lucy’s Story

Leo and Lucy’s Story

Sometimes the biggest pieces of our hearts arrive when we aren’t even looking for them.

For the Segar family, it began with a visit to Williamson County Animal Center in late 2023. They were only stopping by “just to look.” But then they met Leo and Lucy, a brother and sister who would become the heartbeat of their home.

Over the next two and a half years, these two personalities filled their days with all the things that make life with cats so wonderful. Chasing a laser, enjoying some tuna, rolling over for tummy rubs, and finding every opportunity to snuggle close. Their family watched their “silly beans” grow into snuggly, goofy sweethearts and constant companions.

Those everyday moments became part of the life they shared, familiar and full of love.

Another Year Another Chapter

Leo and Lucy returned to our Tails of Franklin book project for their second year. I love photographing families and their fur-babies again, and having another opportunity to spend time with these two was especially meaningful.

This year, I visited the Segar family in their home, surrounded by the familiar places where Leo and Lucy spent their days together. This year’s portraits carried a deeper meaning for their family.

In June, Leo had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and advanced heart disease. His family spent the following two months cherishing their time with him. When the opportunity came to have Leo and Lucy photographed again, they wanted another chapter of their story to hold onto.

By the time I photographed him, Leo was tired, and his chest had been shaved during his medical care. He still had the familiar expressions and personality his family knew and loved. Those were the details I wanted them to see when they looked at his portraits.

Remembering Him as They Knew Him

After our session, I was able to digitally restore the appearance of Leo’s fur in his finished portraits. That care was an important part of creating artwork that reflected the Leo his family had known and loved throughout their time together.

His sweetness, his personality, and that familiar face were all there. His family could look at his portrait and feel close to the companion who had brought so much love into their home.

The Memories That Stay With Us

Photographing pets year after year is something I treasure. I get to see their personalities unfold and create artwork that becomes more meaningful as their families’ lives change.

Our fur-babies become part of the rhythm of our everyday lives. They follow us from room to room, curl up beside us, and make us laugh with the habits we know so well. A favorite place to sleep or a familiar look can hold a whole story for the people who love them.

For the Segar family, Leo and Lucy brought companionship, laughter, and so much love into their home. Their portraits from two different years tell more of that story, preserving the personalities and the bond that made these two so special.

Their participation in Tails of Franklin also connects their story to a community of people who love their pets. The book project supports Friends of Williamson County Animal Center, making their return especially meaningful after the adoption-center visit that first brought Leo and Lucy into their lives.

I’m grateful I had the opportunity to photograph Leo and Lucy again, and that their family has these portraits to enjoy for years to come. Sometimes a portrait becomes much more than something beautiful to hang on the wall. It becomes another way to feel close to someone we love.

Pet Portrait Photography in Franklin Tennessee

At Misty Westebbe Photography, I create portraits of cats, dogs, and other beloved fur-babies in Franklin and throughout Middle Tennessee. Leo and Lucy’s session took place in their family’s home, where so much of their story had unfolded.

Every fur-baby brings their own personality to a portrait experience. Whether yours is full of mischief or happiest curled up beside you, I’d love to hear about the life you share and the portraits you would love to have.

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