A Photographer Is Taking The Most Adorable And Touching Pictures Of Incredibly Old Dogs

    Pooches growing old gracefully.

    Richard James
    by Richard James

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, UK

    Photographer Pete Thorne has created a wonderful series of portraits of elderly dogs, entitled OId Faithful.

    On his Facebook page, Thorne, who is based in Toronto, Canada, said he's shooting the pictures for a potential book and gallery show.

    The project has generated considerable interest, with numerous owners getting in touch with him every day asking for their pet to be included.

    Below are 16 of the dogs who have been photographed for the series so far, along with descriptions of some of them from Thorne's Facebook page.

    1. Elmo

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    "He's a 14-year-old pitbull and the first old doggie I shot for the Old Faithful photo project," Thorne said of Elmo. "He's straight up smiling for his portrait."

    2. Bodley

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    A 12-year-old boxer and Staffordshire terrier mix.

    His owner, Tiffany, said that while Bodley's arthritis limits his flexibility, it hasn't limited his enthusiasm for going for walks and exploring leaves.

    "His eyes might be weakening, but there is nothing wrong with his nose which still can sniff out a delicious discarded pizza crust at 20 feet," she said.

    3.

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    4. Jackson

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    A 14-year-old black labrador mix.

    "There's something about the expression on his face that seems like he is peering into your soul," the photographer said.

    5. Spud the Pug

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    6.

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    7. Toto

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    A 16-year-old cairn terrier mix.

    His owner, Janine Ross, said she rescued Toto when he was 7 years old.

    "Toto was scheduled to be euthanised because of his inappropriate urination issues," she said. "Poor little guy only had one descended testicle."

    His previous owner refused to have him neutered, even though the procedure would have resolved the issue, and wanted to have him put down. But, Ross said, the vet refused and Toto was signed over to the clinic, which "is when our love story started.

    "He lived at the clinic for 30 days before I started sneaking him into my parents home and hiding him in my bed. I eventually got caught and at the age of 18 years old I got down on my hands and knees and literally begged my parents to keep him and it worked! He became a part of the family and still is to this day.

    "At his young age of 16 his recent examination and blood work checked out well. He has arthritis in his spine, no spleen, deaf and cataracts but this does not slow him down, especially at dinner time."

    8. Maximus

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    A 15-year-old mixed Norwegian elkhound and husky.

    This picture reminded his owner how much she loved her dog.

    9. Clovis

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    Clovis was photographed shortly after his birthday.

    Sadly he passed away not too long afterwards.

    10. Fink

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    A 14-year-old Chinese crested.

    His owner, Laura, says he's "bumpy, lumpy, grey, and hanging in there!"

    11. Mance

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    A 3-year-old English bulldog.

    "He has bone cancer that adds a lot of character to his face," Thorne wrote.

    "He's in a pretty fragile state so I made my first trip out of the home studio to photograph him, in all his asymmetrical charm."

    12. Finnegan

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    A 12-year-old Brussels griffon smooth coat or petit brabançon.

    According to Thorne, Finnegan has a heart murmur and has had multiple teeth pulled out.

    He is still in great health for his age though.

    13.

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    14. Weezee

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    A 10-year-old pug mix.

    "[She] looks a little concerned about having her photo taken, she was very well behaved and one of the easiest to photograph," Thorne said.

    15. Hazel

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    "She was named after Hazel McCallion, the mayor of Mississauga," Thorne said.

    "This tough old gal had both her eyes removed due to pain and no tear production, and has five microchips from being rechipped every time she was sold to a new puppy mill.

    "Luckily she was rescued and adopted."

    16.

    Peter Thorne / Via petethornephoto.com

    You can see more pictures from the series here.