Meet Ace, a 3-year-old Great Dane mix who is owned and loved by Katharine.

Ace is black with a white chest, and white dipped toes. Believe it or not, Ace is actually a 40% Great Dane mix with the rest including American Staffordshire Terrier and Mastiff, and then a couple of percentage points each of small dog breeds. Katharine and her husband initially wanted to foster, however when COVID-19 hit and they both started working from home they decided it would be the perfect time to add a dog to their family.

Katharine and her husband went to BARC, which is a dog adoption and animal shelter, to adopt a dog they saw on the website. However, when they arrived they found out that dog had already been adopted. So, sitting in the parking lot they went back online and chose to meet “Ace.” Ace was thought to be a two-year-old, 60-lb Lab mix. However, what came bouncing out to the car was a gangly, 85-lb Great Dane mix which they later found out when they had his DNA tested.

In spite of the size difference between expectation and reality, Ace fit into their home seamlessly. When they first got him he was housebroken but acted like he hadn’t been exposed to much. He was uncertain of the TV, ceiling fan, stairs, etc. but he was so friendly, willing, cuddly, and eager to please. They’ve had him for over a year and now he loves going on adventures, from playing at the beach, hiking on trails, and coming to horse shows. He’s even shown a keen interest in dog agility! He’s also a great running partner for Katharine’s husband and a great couch potato companion for her. Their favorite part about Ace is that, in typical Great Dane fashion, he loves resting his head on tables, window sills, and especially their laps. Their impulse decision in the parking lot at BARC could not have turned out better! 

Did you know that Great Danes were initially bred to hunt wild boars? The Great Danes today wouldn’t likely do well but their ancestors were quite the hunting dogs!

Karinda K. is a Houston, TX based equine photographer that travels around the United States photographing equestrians and their horses. Karinda specializes in Outdoor Horse & Rider Portrait sessions that bring to life the magical relationship equestrians share with their horses, Senior Portraits, and Fine Art Black & White Background Portraits for those that want a piece of art featuring their very own animals. Karinda accepts a limited number of private clients each year, if you are interested in having her photograph you and your horse or an equestrian in your life, you can reach the studio by sending an email to equine@karinda(.)com or calling (832)598-8715. 

Portraits for Charity was an idea Karinda dreamt up to help give back to families impacted by Childhood Cancer in memory of her husband’s sister Jessica. During the 2021 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Karinda photographed around 140 Horses, Dogs, and even Goats, and was able to donate $10,000 to Candlelighter’s Houston. These are the stories of the Horses, Dogs, and Goats that were photographed at the show, these stories complement a photographic book that Karinda is printing and donating to Texas Children’s Hospital featuring Portraits of each and every animal she photographed. 

The Waiting List for Pin Oak 2022 is now open, click here to join: https://test.karindak.com/pin-oak-2022-wait-list 

If you are interested in having Karinda attend your event and host a Portraits for Charity day, send an email to equine@karindak(.)com.