ANCHOR
The Dogs Who Greeted Us at The Door of Every Chapter
A fine art photography book featuring local senior dogs to help fund grants for senior dog programs .
For the one who has seen every season of you and walked beside you through them all.
ANCHOR is a curated fine art photography book honoring senior dogs in our local community, the dogs who have walked life alongside us long enough to become part of who we are.
This is not a farewell project.
It is a recognition of presence, depth, and shared life while it is still unfolding.
Limited spaces. Applications reviewed in the order received.
Honoring the Wisdom and Love of Senior Dogs Through Fine Art
Your senior dog has walked beside you through life's most meaningful chapters. ANCHOR celebrates this profound companionship by preserving their story through fine art portraiture, creating tangible legacy pieces that honor the bond you share.
What ANCHOR Is
ANCHOR is a curated fine art photography book project created to honor senior dogs in our local community and share the stories of the lives they have walked alongside.
Participating dogs and their people will receive a custom fine art portrait session designed to capture each dog’s personality with painterly light and intention. Selected portraits will be featured in the published ANCHOR book.
As a participant, dog guardians will also have the opportunity to upgrade their experience to a full fine art photography session with Olive and Fable at a promotional pricing and be able to purchase finished artwork and digital images from their session, creating heirloom pieces for their home beyond the book itself.
Fifty percent of the registration fee and all book sale proceeds will directly benefit The Grey Muzzle Organization, extending the impact of this project beyond the page and beyond the PNW.
ANCHOR is about preserving your dog’s story through art while supporting dogs still in need of care and advocacy.
Participant Selection
Participation in ANCHOR is limited.
Dogs are selected based on:
Alignment with the spirit of the project
The story shared in the application
The dog’s comfort and ability to be photographed safely
Applications are reviewed in the order received.
Priority will be given to participants who are committed to creating tangible legacy pieces for their home, as ANCHOR is rooted in the belief that fine art portraiture preserves stories with beauty and permanence that digital files alone cannot provide.
We're looking for 25 to 35 senior dogs whose stories will create a meaningful, cohesive celebration of this distinguished chapter of life.
Giving Back
50% of every registration fee and 100% of first-edition book sales will be donated directly to The Grey Muzzle Organization, a national nonprofit dedicated to funding and advocating for senior-dog care programs across the United States.
By participating in ANCHOR, you are preserving your own dog’s story while helping another dog receive the care and dignity they deserve.
Book Release
ANCHOR is scheduled to launch in November 2026, in recognition of National Senior Dog Month. Portrait sessions will take place on a rolling basis throughout 2026 allowing us to create each session with the care and attention your dog's story deserves.
Participants will be notified of the official release date and invited to be part of the launch celebration.
Because this is a limited project featuring only 25-35 dogs, we encourage you to apply early to ensure your senior dog's story is captured during this distinguished chapter.
The ANCHOR Experience
Planning Conversation
We begin with a thoughtful, story-focused consultation where we learn about your dog’s personality, history, and daily rhythms. We talk through what makes them them, from quirks and comforts to mobility needs and pacing.
This conversation allows us to design a session that feels calm, intentional, and true to the life you share, rather than forcing your dog into a one-size-fits-all experience.
Fine Art Portrait Session
Each session is guided and unrushed, with senior dogs photographed at their own pace. We prioritize comfort, dignity, and presence over poses.
Sessions are carefully lit and styled to create painterly, fine art portraits while remaining gentle and respectful of your dog’s energy level. Breaks are always welcome, and sessions are adapted in real time based on how your dog is feeling that day.
Reveal & Story Review
You’ll be invited to a private reveal appointment to view your finished portraits and review the written story that will accompany your images in the book. This ensures both the imagery and the words feel true to your dog and the life you share.
During this appointment you will have the opportunity to select any artwork or digital images you would like for your home from Olive & Fable’s curated fine art offerings, with guidance provided to help you choose pieces that feel intentional and lasting.
The Book
ANCHOR will be a professionally printed, large-format fine art photography book designed as a display-worthy heirloom. Each participating dog will be featured in a two-page spread pairing portrait and story.
Participants may pre-purchase one copy of the book at printing cost. After release, the book will be available for public purchase, with all proceeds donated directly to The Grey Muzzle Organization. One dog will be thoughtfully selected as the cover model once all sessions are complete.
Who This Project Is For
ANCHOR is for guardians who:
Recognize that your senior dog's distinguished presence and the years you've shared together deserve to be honored with fine art portraiture
Share life with a senior dog (typically age 8+, depending on breed) and live near or are willing to travel to our downtown Kirkland studio
Value tangible, museum-quality artwork that becomes a lasting part of your home and family story
Want to preserve your dog's story with intention and artistry while supporting care for senior dogs still waiting for their forever homes
Understand this is a limited, curated fine art experience and want to be part of a meaningful community project
This is not This is not a mini session or a giveaway. ANCHOR is a fine art experience centered on legacy, presence, and storytelling - an opportunity to create printed artwork that will be treasured in homes and gathering places throughout our community.
Registration Fee:
Your $150 registration fee reserves your place in this limited project, with 50% donated directly to The Grey Muzzle Organization.
Artwork and digital collections are purchased separately.
This fee includes your complete ANCHOR experience:
A guided planning consultation and story interview
A custom fine art portrait session at Olive & Fable’s downtown Kirkland studio
A reveal appointment to experience your portraits as finished artwork
A two-page feature in the ANCHOR book, including portraits and written story
The opportunity to invest in heirloom artwork and curated digital collections by upgrading to a full session at a promotional price.
Investment
Most participants choose to invest beyond the registration fee by selecting fine art prints, portrait boxes, framed artwork, or digital collections during their reveal. Most families invest between $520 and $2200 in artwork, choosing from framed pieces, portrait boxes, or digital collections, and we guide you through each step so it never feels overwhelming.
From Book to Walls:
Select custom artwork from your session to make an impact beyond the book
Frequently Asked Questions
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This project is intended for senior dogs, generally age 8 and older, though this can vary by breed. If you’re unsure whether your dog qualifies, you’re welcome to apply and share a bit about them.
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No. ANCHOR is not a farewell project. It is about honoring the depth, presence, and shared life that comes with time. Dogs of all health statuses are welcome as long as they can be photographed comfortably and safely.
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Senior dogs are photographed at their own pace, with comfort and dignity as the priority. Sessions are adapted as needed, with breaks, support, and flexibility built in. If your dog has specific needs, we’ll plan for them together.
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If your application is accepted, yes. ANCHOR is a curated project with a limited number of participants, and not all applications will be selected.
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While artwork is not required, priority is given to participants who plan to invest in finished artwork for their home. This project is centered on creating tangible, lasting pieces, not just a book feature.
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Yes. You are welcome to be included in your session if you wish. These images do not need to appear in the book unless you would like them to.
If you would like to include multiple dogs or be photographed together with your dog as part of the session experience, this requires an upgrade to the promotional full session option, which will be discussed during planning.
About The Grey Muzzle Organization
For the first edition of ANCHOR, we have chosen to donate 50% of all participant registration fees and 100% of book proceeds to The Grey Muzzle Organization, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk senior dogs across the United States.
Founded in 2008, Grey Muzzle focuses exclusively on senior dogs by providing grant funding and resources to shelters, rescues, sanctuaries, and nonprofit programs nationwide. Their grants support critical medical and dental care, foster and adoption initiatives, hospice programs, and other essential services that ensure older dogs receive comfort, dignity, and compassionate care.
Grey Muzzle’s mission aligns deeply with ANCHOR, a project centered on honoring senior dogs not as farewells, but as steady companions who have lived alongside us through life’s changes. By supporting their work, this project extends beyond the page—helping fund real care for senior dogs while celebrating the lasting role they play in our lives.
About the author:
Olive & Fable
Olive & Fable is a downtown Kirkland studio specializing in fine art pet and family portraiture. Our work is built on painterly light, story, and legacy, creating artwork that feels like a remembrance, not a snapshot.
ANCHOR is part portrait project, part community tribute, and part archival love letter to the animals who shaped our lives.