cindy cieluch photography . blog

Here’s a quick look at my FANTASTIC GIRLS TRIP last weekend to Arizona with Mia + Stephanie…and their bellies.  Many, many more images to follow soon!

Our sweet nephew Andrew needs your help!

Not only was he diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome which I’ve shared on my blog before, but he’s been recently diagnosed with another extremely rare syndrome: Pallister-Killian Syndrome.

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome occurs in 1 out of 15,000 births.  It is not genetically passed in Andrew’s case, but for 5 years this diagnosis left our family hopeful as these kids typically have initial delays but later reach most developmental milestones and typically live a healthy, independent and full life.

Then 6 months ago, Andrew was diagnosed with Pallister-Killian Syndrome.  This syndrome is extremely rare, as only about 200 cases are known WORLDWIDE and is very difficult to diagnose.  We’ve learned since this diagnosis that the severity of Andrew’s delays is the norm for these children.  Most of the PKS traits are traits Andrew possess, such as deaf/blind, profound low muscle tone, hernias, seizures, short arms and legs, small ear canals, turned up nose, sharp heart shaped lips, coarse facial features, severe developmental delays and mental retardation.  Andrew is 5 year old and not walking, talking, crawling, feeding self, dressing self or toileting self.

Here’s where YOU can help.  We’re trying to get enough votes to receive $25,000!  This money would help offset expenses for our family and many others who will be attending the PKS Conference this summer in New Jersey.

The cause has even been featured on WCCO in Minneapolis!  Watch the story by clicking here, then vote by clicking here! All you do is plug in your email address, create a password and vote.  There’s no junk mail or anything.  It’s super simple!  You can vote every day until the contest ends on April 30th.  EVERY VOTE COUNTS!  I just voted again today and PKS’s rank went from 33rd to 32nd.  Your votes will make a difference.  Thank you!!!

Some quotes from them at the beginning of the shoot went a little something like this, “We’ve never done a professional shoot together. We are not photogenic at all.”

Ummmm. yeah. Not even close to the truth!  This is what I tell people all of the time: It has nothing to do with being used to the camera.  It’s all about your chemistry and attitude!

This couple is magnetic. Not just to one another, but to other people.  I LOVED being in their presence. Hotties, sweeties and down right incredible.

See you in 2 months for your wedding!

Hi Finn!  You’re such a handsome boy!!!

The 6th Annual FUR BALL was a huge success!!!!  Lots of food, friends and fur brought in thousands of dollars, but our efforts to raise funding for a new animal shelter continues and we want YOU to be part of it!

STRUT YOUR MUTT is the city’s first dog walk!!!!!!  SAVE THE DATE for MAY 22 @ 10 a.m. @ the Civic Center.  There will be doggie door prizes, cold drinks and hot dogs (haha).

First up though….the kickoff event is THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 17 @ 2 p.m. @ the Dog Park, where you can sign up your pup for $20!

Duncan & I are honored to be in the commercials promoting the STRUT.  Here’s the link!  Hope to see you there!  I’ll be taking pictures at both events, so don’t be shy and smile for the camera.  I may bark, but I don’t bite. 

STRUT YOUR MUTT COMMERCIAL

Notice that Duncan is doing more pulling than strutting.  HAHA!

To learn more about the STRUT, click on these links:

FACEBOOK

MAKE A DONATION & START YOUR OWN DOG WALK TEAM

UPDATE: MOST OF THESE DOGS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED!!!!!!!! THERE ARE STILL ANIMALS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO LOVE.  IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A PET, PLEASE ADOPT!

As a member of the Fur Ball committee, I’m dedicated to raising money to build a new animal shelter in Great Falls.  The current facility is out-dated, small and unsanitary, which creates an unwelcoming atmosphere for the animals and visitors.  This is an issue that I was very vocal about when I was a news anchor at KRTV and I continue to fight for our city’s animals!

My dogs have changed my life and I know that most of YOU have similar stories.  I truly believe that this world would be perfect if every dog/cat had a home and every home had a dog/cat.

The Fur Ball is Saturday night and there are still plenty of seats available!  Tickets are $70 each, which includes a super yummy dinner and goes towards efforts to build a new shelter.  There’s also an awesome silent auction and live auction.  I will actually have a package in the live auction: a photo session and a 24×36 canvas gallery wrap ($1,000 value)!  All of the proceeds made from the auctions and raffles go straight to The Animal Foundation.

If you can…PLEASE attend the Fur Ball.  Call 761-8399 for tickets!!!!!!!

Another thing I do every year is take photos of the dogs and cats at the shelter to display at the Fur Ball.  We display the portraits among the flowers as table centerpieces.  The faces are constant reminders of WHY we’re raising money and WHO is currently looking for a happy home!!!

If you’re an animal lover, PLEASE PLEASE attend the Fur Ball.  I promise an amazing night filled with some of the most giving people you’ll ever meet.  I was so moved after my first Fur Ball, I joined the committee!

I attached the Fur Ball poster for more details.  And as heartbreaking as it is, I also want to share the pet portraits that I took yesterday.  The dogs were all so well-trained and sweeeeeeeeeet.  The cats were full of character and just wanted to be petted.

*A huge THANK YOU to Melanie Lattin for helping me take photos of the dogs and cats.  Melanie is the owner of ANIMAL HARMONY, which provides animal training and canine massages right here in Great Falls!  Contact me if you’d like more info!

I had to post 2 photos of this adorable guy. 

Cute, chubby paws…

To everyone who supports a new animal shelter in Great Falls:

Please let your feelings be known!  The time is now to let our commissioners know that a partnership with The Animal Foundation of Great Falls will give our city an animal shelter we are proud of.

Many of you have been already been generous in your time and dollars to foster a caring community - THANK YOU!

Now, if you would take a few minutes to encourage our city commissioners to work in partnership with us to build a better shelter for the animals, we can make a difference.

Click here to send an email: http://www.greatfallsmt.net/people_offices/boards_commissions/com_members.php

The first wedding of 2010 was I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E!  Here’s a little “taste” until I get the rest posted. 

Big mouths

Big smiles

Big church

Big secret handshake with Dad

And big time cuties!

More coming soon…

THOSE EYES!  THOSE SHOES!  AND THAT DOG!  Is Louis not hilarious!?!?  Thank you for trusting me and letting me take you to this super sketchy location.  Happy happy birthday!