My German Shepherd dog passed away June 18 2024, only four months from his tenth birthday.  Sniper was my best friend.  Our bond was nothing like I’ve ever experienced in my life, so when it came time during his sickness to make the decision to end his suffering, I was lost, sick to me stomach.  I felt a severe sorrow.  By chance, I saw a post where Dana Malone had been recommended to do animal portraits to a friend who had also lost a beloved pet.  I immediately went to look at Dana's webpage to see her work.  It looked to me like Dana was able to capture something more than just the image of a loved animal, more like the essence of who they are, or in some cases - were.  I contacted Dana, and after a few emails, I knew Dana could easily reproduce Sniper’s image, and more.

Weeks passed, and pretty much to the date she said she would be contacting me with an image, Sniper’s proof came into my email box.   From a few pictures of Sniper from different angles and poses, and a few paragraphs written by me about who Sniper was - here it was for me to see.  A beautiful interpretation of my Boy I had lost.  For me, it was his eyes!  The way Dana painted his eyes, the way he came to life - so deep and detailed, piercing.  I felt like I could see his soul again.  I can’t explain how seeing him like this brought out a flow of emotion.  Happiness, excitement, loss, crushing sadness, everything all at once.  The way his fur looked, like it was real!  His head tilt - like he did when he was listening to me.  Every whisker in the exact place I remembered.  Even his little bird tucked away under him - I had laugh.  And his majestic ears - as if I could feel them like I used to.  Every detail of Sniper is there perfectly, and accurately - full of life.  This talent Dana has is a gift.  There’s no other words for it.  Dana can give you a little bit back of your lost love-one.  Enough to make you happy again, seeing them again anytime you want.  It has to be the time, the care, and the connection Dana has with her work.  

This has been my experience.  

Steve White

Adjust anything, DANA ARE YOU FORREAL? You're amazing! THIS IS PERFECTION! Don't change a thing! 😭 That stupid little face is the essence of Ron Currently sobbing, Jessica

Since I met Dana and learned about her work I have been one of her biggest fans, I knew one day I would want to commission a piece. This year I reached out to Dana for a consultation when I wanted a special gift for my parents, who do so much for me.

We had some heart felt convos over various photos, and she helped me choose a photo of my son that she turned into my new favourite piece of art.

My son is my world, we are both animal lovers and his 3 golden retriever stuffies, aka the Bouncys, mean the world to him. Bouncy (and the others that followed) were given to Oliver by my parents (his Mimi & Bumpa), and I think it’s kismet that two of the people who love him so much, gave him something that made his heart even bigger and created a beautiful spot in his heart for all animals. So it just made sense that this was the right photo for the commission.

Dana, thank you for the love and care you put in to capturing the immense amount of love that is felt in the picture, and in your own magical way being able to see the softness and love emanating from Ollie. K.S.

Thanks so much for working with what you had to capture Hanks paw for me. He was a young pup and huge loss for so many of us. My dad would always ask for his paw whenever he would see him. I’m so happy this is captured and he will be able to have it.  M.S.