Imperfect & That's Okay!

An Aussie photographer celebrates dogs that have been disabled, abused or sick

- Sandy Cook

ON A cuteness scale it’s off the charts: a portrait of a squishy-faced little dog appearing to wink at you while holding up its paw in a jaunty high-five.

But look a little closer and you’ll see the pooch is missing an eye. His name is Vegemite, he’s a seven-year-old Japanese Chin/ Pekingese cross and he has a special place in the heart of animal photographer Alex Cearns.

She’s even made him the cover of her new book, Perfect Imperfection*, which features her photographs of animals that have been disabled, had an illness or undergone surgery or are recovering from abuse. In other words, animals that all have something wrong with them.

“I love every animal I have the privilege of photographing,” says Alex (43) from Perth, Australia. “But those perceived as ‘different’ hold a special place in my heart. These are the creatures who’ve lost a leg, were born without eyes or are still showing the scars of former abuse.