Sanjana Madappa is a huge animal lover, and she works at a shelter called,Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) in Bangalore, India.Over the years, she adopted five dogs from the rescue, creating the perfect little family with her and her husband.
Source: GoLucky Diaries Photography
Last year, she found out that her family was going to be gaining a new member, but this time it was of the human variety.Unfortunately, instead of being happy for her growing brood, many people were critical of the idea of the baby have furry siblings. She wrote:
I was told by family, friends and even my doctor to get rid of my dogs, that my baby came first.
Source: GoLucky Diaries Photography
Madappa had often witnessed cases like this at the shelter. Worried mothers who thought their dogs would cause problems or be potentially dangerous with a little one around.But the mother-to-be knew that wasn't an option for her.She told The Dodo:
I didn't say much to people who told me to give them away. I just nodded and smiled because sometimes you just can't change opinions. This photoshoot was my answer.
Source: GoLucky Diaries Photography
Madappa and her husband asked photographerBhargavi Naveento capture their family to be in a set of touching photos.The dogs were all clearly thrilled for the arrival of their new baby brother, and Madappa said they were extremely gentle with her during her pregnancy.
Source: GoLucky Diaries Photography
I had an unreasonably difficult pregnancy... My dogs are the reason I got through my pregnancy with my sanity intact. The days I spent crying, I had the comforting weight of Diegos head on my lap reassuring me things would be okay. The nights I spent on the bathroom floor, Leo kept me company, gently pawing me now and then to see if I was okay. I lost a very special little girl along the way, Leela, who kept me smiling with her silly antics till the end. When I could finally fall asleep, I had Cujo resting at my feet. I couldn't afford to stay in bed feeling sorry for myself when I had these kids depending on me.
Source: GoLucky Diaries Photography
Her baby was born just a week after the incredible photos were taken, and so far all of her canine companions have been nothing but the best of siblings to her son, Ayan. She told The Dodo:
My youngest pup sleeps next to his cradle while another always comes running to check in on him if he starts crying. They are so gentle with him. They never jump on me if I'm carrying him or up on the bed if he is on it. I didn't have to teach them this, they just knew.
Source: GoLucky Diaries Photography
She has a message to send to everyone who considers giving up their dogs for a pregnancy:
I couldn't ever in good conscience give away an animal that loves me and trusts me with the same innocence and purity that my baby does. I couldn't abandon a family member to bring in another.
H/t: The Dodo
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