Two passions combined to form Project Unconditional on a day in 2012 while photographer Jane Sobel Klonsky sat in her insurance broker's office. She found herself interested in the special bond that her broker, Angela, had with Clementine, an old Bulldog who came to work with her everyday. On that day, Jane's profession and first passion, photography, fortuitously melded with her love of dogs, as she discovered a desire to document the connection between dogs in the twilight of their lives and the people who love them. What developed was a collection of photos and stories capturing the unconditional love we share with our older dogs. 

Here are some excerpts from those stories. 

AVAILABLE NOW!

PUBLISHED BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOKS

National Geographic's Short Film Showcase features Unconditional Stories: Sky & Paul under the headline, "See How This Avalanche Rescue Dog is Enjoying Her Retirement".  You can view it here:   https://goo.gl/8UvJwy

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Booker & Matt

Woodbridge, CT

"Booker is our ambassador, our priest and perfect company in the woods.  Over the years, he has greyed and grown creaky and even a bit deaf.  He has had two knee surgeries, various cancerous growths removed and is likely not too far from death.  I’ve spent my adult life with him and cannot imagine being without him." - Matt

PERCY & SUZANNE

Portland, OR

"My queen of all things fluffy! She is home to me. The place I go to feel better, relaxed, happy, and loved. When we are in the remote corners of our adventures, she is my touchstone to all things good. I feel safe when she is with me and lonely for her when she is not."  - Suzanne

PIPPEN & AMY

Casco, ME

"Our relationship is one of the woods. We are both most comfortable there, relishing the beauty and the solitude that it offers. Pippen and I have etched our relationship in the hours spent exploring. We sometimes wander off the beaten path, getting just a little lost, following overgrown stone walls, small streams and subtle paths traced by traveling deer." - Amy

"I have had the privilege of sharing the experiences of these special people and their rescues, service dogs, working dogs and lifelong family pets. They are big dogs, small dogs, fluffy dogs, and hairless ones, some lapdogs and those who think they should fit on your lap."

-- Jane Sobel Klonsky

Project Unconditional is for all who appreciate the connection, unconditional love, and bond that a canine companion provides. It’s for those who can’t imagine life without their beloved dog. It’s for all the people who have lost their dogs, who don’t want to get another because they just aren’t ready yet. It's for the people who love dogs but haven't yet had the chance to bring one home.

Through stories, photographs and film, Project Unconditional has documented the relationships of more than 300 senior dogs and their human partners. It is a beautiful reminder–both wistful and vibrantly hopeful–to cherish our older animals and the rich moments we have with them, and to thank them for the love and friendship they unconditionally offer us.