Bored Panda has featured The See Hear Love Project™ through the portraits, words and stories of 11 rescue animals.
The See Hear Love Project is the world’s only documentary storytelling project told from the animal’s perspective. Through animal communication, shelter and rescue animals share their stories, and we create a portrait and film to help them get seen, heard and adopted.
I spent 11 years as a staff photojournalist at the Chicago Tribune and was a member of a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting team. The most important thing I carried from photojournalism into this project is that the best stories begin with listening—really listening—to the individual whose story you are trying to tell.
Learning animal communication gave me the opportunity to bring that same approach to animals: listen first and then tell their story.
Meet the Animals and Watch Their Films
TOOTSIE
I met Tootsie the day after her owner left her at a humane society. She was heartbroken.
When she came to our Chicago studio, she was frozen with fear. Her ears were back, and she had checked out. We gave her all the time she needed, and I got one photograph with her ears up.
Thankfully, we only needed one.
Tootsie has since been adopted and found her forever home.
BLANCA
Blanca had been left on the side of a road in the rain at night in Chicago. She adored her foster, but she was incredibly anxious. Her tail stayed tucked, and she couldn’t leave her foster’s arms.
Again, we got one photograph. I’m incredibly proud of it because it doesn’t show a scared dog. It shows who she is.
Blanca has also been adopted and found her forever home.
RAMONA
Ramona, a pig who had been neglected by her owner, was rescued by April of Chicagoland Pig Rescue. Today, Ramona sleeps in bed with her humans every night.
During her communication, she thanked April for saving her life and described her beautifully:
“April IS love.”
Every animal should be loved and adored like Ramona.
AVALANCHE
What surprises me most is the wisdom that can come through during an animal communication session.
Avalanche, a rescued rabbit, spoke about protecting his energy by not reacting to everything happening around him.
“It takes patience to be this chill.”
Wise words indeed.
ZENO
After being surrendered by his owner, Zeno spent more than a year waiting for someone to choose him.
During his communication, he told me:
“I want to know, at least once in my life, that I was loved.”
SAM & FRODO
Sam and Frodo are two rescued rabbits whose connection became part of the story we created with them.
DAMA
Dama arrived at the studio in a wheelchair.
That was the first thing I noticed. It was also the least interesting thing about her.
What I remember is her determination, curiosity and joy.
“Maybe I’m not a misfit. I just have more to love.”
HORCHATA
Horchata is a rescue dog from One Tail at a Time who became part of The See Hear Love Project.
The Goal of The See Hear Love Project
The portrait lets us see them.
The communication lets us hear them.
And hopefully, someone falls in love and gives them a home.
