I began photographing Ella and her interactions with people in 2010. Living in Los Angeles at the time, there was a constant flow of opportunities to meet new faces, and Ella really came to life on her walks around the city. As she eagerly strutted along Sunset Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard, through Runyon Canyon – there was something special happening in the brief moments that she connected with strangers; and I knew I wanted to document this.

In 2012, my spouse Joey and I – together with Ella, drove cross-country to move to the east coast. Though I had witnessed many moments of her uninhibited happiness and joy, nothing compared to the thrill that overcame Ella upon arriving in New York City and entering this entirely new playground bustling with people everywhere.

Over the course of four years (and thousands of images), I was continually amazed at the way an animal can inspire a person to – without hesitation or thought – jump down to the ground and instantly open their heart. As I continued the project I switched to an even wider lens in order to fully capture this unique situation of Ella’s closeup interactions while Joey and I walked with her. This project became a new approach to street photography where Ella facilitated. I witnessed how animals have the ability to grant us access to an immediate connection that isn’t blocked by layers of social masks typical of so many human interactions.

The cliche of the New Yorker who walks by unfazed, was constantly challenged by Ella who brought a burst of smile or laughter from even the most hardened of faces. Repeatedly I watched, as persons busy with the thoughts in their head, snapped into the present moment as Ella looked intently up into their eyes.