Maggie Epling has always been close to her grandparents, so when, last April, her grandfather underwent open-heart surgery, the 20-year-old University of Kentucky student decided to spend the summer helping to care for him.
She pitched in wherever needed, doing housework and taking her grandfather to medical appointments. But that still left her with free time. She had originally planned on getting a job or an internship during her break, and she longed to do something just as productive…something to make a difference.
Maggie had two passions: animals and photography. In fact, it was her grandfather who’d given Maggie her first camera when she was 10 years old. These days, one of her favorite subjects to photograph was her beagle, Wally, a stray her family rescued in 2016. Suddenly, Maggie got an idea. Her grandparents lived in Kentucky’s rural Pike County. The local animal shelter didn’t get much foot traffic, so it was always filled to capacity. What if I take portraits of the animals to post online to try to up the number of adoptions? she wondered.
Picture-perfect
With a spark of excitement, Maggie contacted the shelter. “My goal is to present the dog or cat in a light that will help people see them as the pet they will actually be bringing home,” Maggie explained to the workers. And the workers quickly embraced Maggie’s vision. The first dog Maggie photographed was a little white terrier. The sweet thing was so timid, which made it difficult for potential adopters to bond with her when visiting the shelter. But after some playtime with Maggie in the shelter’s courtyard, she relaxed.
This story is from the January 16, 2023 edition of Woman's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 16, 2023 edition of Woman's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Cool creamy wow
White chocolate in the filling makes this dreamy delight even richer
She provides love and comfort to senior & ailing cats
When Jessica Vigos took in an abandoned elderly cat with health issues, she found herself thinking about all the other senior and sick cats who would never find a loving forever home. She created a sanctuary for these special kitties because Jessica knows how healing a second chance can be!
5 simple head-start garden tricks!
Spring has sprung, and we have the secrets to help you kick off a gorgeous growing season!
Everyday Hero
She makes special dolls to comfort foster kids!
New uses for drugstore staples
These everyday OTC heroes have powers beyond their obvious use, serving as double-duty health boosters
Prevent skin cancer starting now
Spring is finally here! That means shedding winter layers and donning your favorite short-sleeve tops as you enjoy the beautiful weather. And it turns out now is also the perfect time to up your sun-protection game before the dog days of summer.
No more pesky overnight wake-ups!
Every night, many of us awaken between 2 and 3 aw. And it can feel almost impossible to get back to sleep without meds, suggests Stanford research. But scientists have now pinpointed common triggers of middle-of-the-night insomnia, letting you sleep through the night
Surprising key to strong
Preventing type 2 diabetes is one of the best things you can do for your body since doing so protects against nerve damage, vision problems, dementia, heart disease and kidney disease. But warding off diabetes also optimizes strength and vitality.
"I make up to $6,000 an event with my food truck!"
For Cynthia Pittari, sharing her authentic Italian recipes feeds her community and her bank account!
Save $$$ while eliminating credit card balances!
Finance pros share how to pay down bills while paying eS. 1,000s less in interest—based on your credit score