Magazine Article

Your Best Shot

Supporters share their favorite photographs and love of animals with All Animals magazine.

A cute dalmation named Tali stands majestically among trees and purple flowers.

James Silvestr


This issue's featured photo

A cute dalmation named Tali stands majestically among trees and purple flowers.

James Silvestr

When I started dating my now wife, Jacqueline, I told her I had never owned a pet and that although I thought her dog was cute, I just wasn’t much of an “animal person.” She insisted that her brown-spotted dalmatian, Tali, would soon change that about me. I smiled, said “maybe” and in my head thought, “never going to happen.” After meeting Tali, I quickly fell in love with her. Jacqueline and I got married in November of 2021, and Tali is the most important part of our lives. She is the sweetest, most gentle dog I have ever met, and I love capturing her curious and kind demeanor in photos. This photo means so much to me because it reminds me how much Tali has changed my life and opened me up to a kind of love I never thought I would experience. 

—James Silvestri, Rochester, Michigan

Rachael Rodgers/

Submit your best shot

Do you have an inspiring photo of a wild animal, beloved pet or rescued farm animal? We want to see it! Send it to us for possible publication in All Animals magazine, along with an explanation about why it's meaningful to you.


Previously featured photos

Two otters floating on their backs in the water.

—Leslie Nuttman, Washington | Featured in the Summer 2024 issue

These sleepyheads were two of over 30 southern sea otters playing, feeding and resting in the protected harbor of Morro Bay, California. The area is a designated sea otter “nursery zone,” where people strolling the waterfront are asked to keep quiet while they watch mothers with their pups. We were passing through on a vacation and enjoyed watching their endless antics, including those of “teenage” youngsters still trying to nurse and their reluctant mothers rolling in the water repeatedly to discourage them.
A collage of images including a brown bear, emu, black bear, goat, iguana, cow and tiger

—Black Beauty Ranch, Murchison, Texas/Jackie, Serenity and Sammi: Christi Gilbreth/The HSUS; Chetana: Ashley Orr/The HSUS; Spongebob, Chia and Sparkie: Jennifer McAnally/The HSUS | Featured in the Spring 2024 issue

Clockwise from top left: Jackie the bear lives with her son, Russell; the two love to swim and splash around in their pool together. Sparkie the emu loves water and gets excited whenever she sees caregivers using the hose; they always try to give her a spray! Pumpkins make great enrichment items; Sammi the black bear digs into his treat. Although cats are often associated with an aversion to water, tigers love to swim; here, Serenity plays with the spout in her pool. Chetana the cow comes to say hello to caregivers as they do their daily rounds. The sanctuary’s two iguanas, Chia and Illini, have a heated house with perches, a sun room, an outdoor yard and a pond. SpongeBob the goat peers into the camera for a close-up.
Charlie the dog wearing his coat and hat in the snow.

—Elizabeth Sarber, Maryland | Featured in the Winter 2024 issue

I’ve had Charlie since he was a puppy and he’s been my rock throughout my 20s and 30s. Last year, I went through a breakup. I was depressed and spent a lot of time inside. To motivate myself to get out more, I created an Instagram for Charlie where I could document our adventures. Through Charlie, I’ve met other dog lovers in my area and found dog-friendly businesses to explore. It’s snowballed into this awesome community of animal lovers.
Barred owl sitting on a maple tree with a crawfish in its mouth.

—Gordon Kilgore, Georgia | Featured in the Fall 2023 issue

During a May visit to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, I spotted this barred owl sitting on a maple tree. The bird kept glancing at the shallow canal below and eventually swooped down and grabbed a crawfish from the water. I had only a few seconds to take the picture before the owl swallowed the crawfish. I don’t often have the opportunity to photograph barred owls, particularly in good light. A crawfish hanging from the bird’s beak was a real plus. A little while later, the owl caught another crawfish and went back to the maple tree to enjoy the meal.
Related Issue Terms
Dog and cat welfare
Chickens hunt for snacks in a pasture full of crimson clover.
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