Class Progress

We are officially about one month into the semester for J2150. I have to say things are going a lot better than I thought they would. I have to say, I never thought video, audio, and photo stories were my forte, but after this this past month my opinion has changed. I have loved getting the opportunity to hear relay the different stories people have.

Dog adoption really was the perfect story chose for me. Animals really are a soft spot for me, so it's been the best learning about all the ways these people help save the lives of thousands of dogs every year.

Also the biggest upside of this project was that it allowed me to bring a new family member into my life. Adopting my dog Gatsby has been a fantastic experience. I love the feeling I get when I look at him and know I gave him the forever home her never had.

Overall, I have really enjoyed this class and I hope the rest of the semester goes as well as it has so far. I look forward to what all is coming next.

A Dog Adoption Story: A 2nd Chance at Life

Last weekend, I took the drive out to what turned out to be the most quaint adoption centers I had ever seen. At Second Chance Animal Shelter, the staff and volunteers manage to make you feel quite at home while you are searching for a new member of your family. They pride themselves on being different from the typical shelter setting, and after visiting the center, they have every right to feel that way.

I took the time to sit down with Interim Director, Kerri Burrows who has a 15 year history with the organization that started with her simply volunteering for school.

Here is a quick look into her experience with the organization.

Working With Audio

This week in J2150 we have been learning how to create audio stories. To get us ready for our audio assignment due in the next couple weeks we were given time to practice these skills with a partner in class.

Here is the link of my practice interview with classmate, Leslie Parker.



While editing this I had no idea how I was going to put everything together to make a good finished product. Once I was finished though I was pretty happy with how I cut and put different parts together. I realize this is only a practice and it's probably not the absolute best, but I think this practice will definitely help me when it comes to the future assignment.

A Dog Adoption Story: The Journey from Rescue Center to Forever Home

This weekend I was fortunate enough to cover the weekly dog adoption event at PetSmart in Chesterfield, Mo. The dogs that are up for adoption are brought there by the kind people involved with Diana's Grove Dog Rescue. The group makes a 3 1/2 hour trip every weekend from the center in Cabool, Mo. They were kind enough to let me follow them around all day so I could tell their story through these pictures and captions. 


Something Else: Tracy, Labrador Retriever, Boxer mix enjoys playing around outside the PetSmart in Chesterfield, Mo. on Feb. 6, 2016 before she and her littermates move inside for the adoption event. Tracy was brought in as part of an unwanted litter and today is her best chance to feel wanted again. 


Scene Setter: Cages of dogs line the back aisle of the PetSmart in Chesterfield, Mo as dozens of people file in looking for the perfect addition to their family on Feb. 6, 2016. Diana's Grove Dog Rescue brings in 80 dogs to this location every weekend.


Portrait: Cynthea Jones, owner of Diana's Grove Dog Rescue holds on tight to eight-week old puppy Tristan as see oversees the adoption event at PetSmart in Chesterfield, Mo. on Feb. 6, 2016. Jones has been rescuing dogs for about 21 years now, and says it is what she lives for.


Detail: This Anatolian Shepherd Mix is one of many dogs taking a much needed nap after the eventful day at PetSmart in Chesterfield, Mo. Every dog hopes to be one of the approximately 40 dogs that will be adopted over the weekend beginning on Feb. 6, 2016.


Tight Face: Lindy, Labrador Retriever mix patiently watches as many potential new parents pass her by at PetSmart in Chesterfield, Mo. on Feb. 6, 2016. She is now ready to find a home of her own after arriving to the rescue center pregnant several months ago

Once I spent the day getting a behind the scenes look at what all goes into these event, I have a whole new respect for any kind of dog rescue organization. Diana's Grove Dog Rescue takes in about 250 dogs each month, and last year they saved the lives of 2,263 dogs. They are a great organization with wonderful people, and even more wonderful dogs. 

Humans of Columbia: Resubmission



If you have heard of the popular account Humans of New York, you will be familiar with this style photo assignment. Since I am clearly not located in New York, this project is titled Humans of Columbia. 

Before starting I was overly nervous to approach strangers and ask about their personal lives,  as I am a fairly shy person. To my surprise, I found my nerves were all for nothing. Through this experience I met some interesting people with inspiring stories. 


Caption 1: Sandra, right and Marcus, left, relax on a brick retaining wall while enjoying a sunny afternoon. Together they sit peacefully and look out toward the busy streets of downtown Columbia, Mo. on Jan. 28, 2016.

Caption 2: Sandra and Marcus met on Valentine's Day at the soup kitchen many years ago. their long-term relationship, as they approach the anniversary of the day they met on Valentine's Day at a local soup kitchen. 


Caption 1: Savannah Rudicel, a freshman student at the University of Missouri-Columbia stops on Broadway Street to take a picture of the buildings for her journalism class, in Columbia, Mo. on Jan. 28, 2016. Her 17 credit hour work load requires a lot of work outside the classroom.

Caption 2: Rudicel says she loves to spend her afternoons resting after class before she spends her nights finishing homework. She hopes all of her hard work will pay off one day as she dreams of working as an international correspondent, much like her role model, Christiane Amanpour.


Caption 1. Morgan Miller stops his walk through Peace Park in Columbia, MO to share a special moment with his dog, George. The two are happy to show off their high five routine on Jan. 28, 2016

Caption 2. "George is actually the reason I am no longer on anti-depressants"- Miller

As you might be able to tell from these photos, you never know what different stories every person is going to have. To me I feel this project brings to life the old saying "you should never judge a book by its cover". Just because a person looks a certain way, doesn't mean they are going to have the story you would expect.


I am very glad I was able to step out of my comfort zone for this, because it was a truly great experience.

The Dog Days

As I sit down to write this week's blog post I feel as though I should go for the normal route and reflect on these past couple weeks of class. While I sure would have a lot to say about that because this class has definitely been interesting, that's not what I have on my mind at the moment.

Today was one of the best days I have had in a while! I had the pleasure of spending most of my day with some of the most adorable puppies and dogs. There was a slight bitter sweet feeling about the day though, because these were dogs praying to find a permanent home today. I just wanted snag them all up and take them home with me. While I couldn't do that, I at least got the opportunity to snag some pictures to remember their cute faces forever.

Here is a sneak preview of some of the cuties I met today. In my post later this week I will tell more about these dogs and some of the amazing people who dedicate their lives to helping these animals.




Looking at all the sweet pups, I couldn't imagine anyone mistreating any of them. This is an animal that just wants someone to love, and for someone to love them back, it's as simple as that. As someone who has grown up with dogs my entire life, I can't even imagine giving them anything less than the love and care they deserve.

Every day I feel lucky to have my dog in my life. My 5 year old German Shepherd, Callye is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Some days she is the only one who can cheer me up. I am beyond grateful that she ended up with me, and not in some place where she was abused or neglected.

I guess the moral of my kind of rant is that not all dogs are as lucky as others, and we should all do our best to change that.

Lastly, before I end this post I have to share one more experience from my day. I told myself today I would not get caught up in wanting a puppy of my own, but of course I failed. I mean come on who can resist puppies?! Anyways, I currently have my fingers crossed because I might be adopting my very own puppy! I had my eye on one special guy the whole time I was at the event. I let myself leave without him, and I regretted it since the moment I walked out that door today. I have since emailed my contact from the rescue center to see if he was still available. I am now just hoping and praying when she responds it will be good news!


Humans of Columbia: Turning Pictures into a Story


If you have heard of the popular account Humans of New York, you will be familiar with this style photo assignment. Since I am clearly not located in New York, this project is titled Humans of Columbia. 

Before starting I was overly nervous to approach strangers and ask about their personal lives,  as I am a fairly shy person. To my surprise, I found my nerves were all for nothing. Through this experience I met some interesting people with inspiring stories. 


Sandra, on the right and Marcus, on the left, relax on a brick retaining wall as they look out toward the busy streets of downtown Columbia, MO. on Jan. 28, 2016.

Engaged couple, Sandra and Marcus, discuss their long-term relationship, as they approach the anniversary of the day they met on Valentine's Day at a local soup kitchen. 


Savannah Rudicel stops on Broadway Street to take a picture of the buildings for her journalism class in Columbia, MO on Jan. 28, 2016.

As a freshman journalism student at Mizzou, Rudicel hopes one day to become an international correspondent, much like her role model, Christiane Amanpour.


Jan. 28, 2016 Morgan Miller stops his walk through Peace Park in Columbia, MO to share a special moment with his dog, George.

Miller loves having his dog in his life, as he says George is the reason he is no longer on anti-depressants.


As you might be able to tell from these photos, you never know what different stories every person is going to have. To me I feel this project brings to life the old saying "you should never judge a book by its cover". Just because a person looks a certain way, doesn't mean they are going to have the story you would expect.

I am very glad I was able to step out of my comfort zone for this, because it was a truly great experience.