Eternal Echoes: A Daughter’s Poignant Reflections on Her Father’s Dementia
Explore the Delicate Balance of Preserving and Letting Go
Carlie, Bob, Baby Bonnie and our pup mascot Molly
In the realm of human emotions, few forces are as potent and transformative as the love between a parent and a child. Today, we embark on a heartfelt journey into the world of a remarkable daughter, whose life has been deeply shaped by her father’s battle with dementia. Imagine the delicate age of twelve, a time when the world is filled with dreams and endless possibilities. Now, envision that world colliding with the grasp of dementia, forever altering the course of both their lives. 
Doggies for Dementia Foundation is committed to sharing family caregiver stories that shed light on the often-underestimated challenges faced by families impacted by dementia, while honoring the strength of family caregivers. Today we share the profound beauty that emerges from the depths of this struggle, revealing the extraordinary love between a daughter and her father as they navigate the labyrinth of memory together. What makes this story even more remarkable is that, as we delve into their journey, we’ll witness the poignant moment when her father, despite the fog of dementia, sees his newborn granddaughter for the very first time.
About Bob According to his Daughter Carlie
“My Daddy is incredibly special. He has taught me what hard work, tenacity and strength looks like. He inspires me daily as he works hard to push through his multiple medical diagnoses to live a full and joyful life. One of my favorite memories with my dad is watching Saturday night tv with him when I was younger. 
It started with 2 episodes of Cops followed by an episode of America’s Most Wanted. My daddy taught me how to love traveling as he traveled the country selling janitorial supplies to businesses. His company only hired those with special needs. Through him I learned my love for those with special needs where I have had a career for the past 10 years working with them. My Daddy has shaped me into who I am today and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Bob was diagnosed with dementia in 2007 when Carlie was 12
A Beautiful Love Story
I was married at my dad’s nursing home February 2,2020. When I was growing up I was terrified my daddy wouldn’t make it to my wedding. I don’t know why this was such a deep rooted fear of mine, but I just wanted to be able to have my father daughter dance at my wedding. February 15,2019 I met my soon to be husband. Around January 20th of 2020 my dad had two back to back heart attacks. I remember telling Travis all I wanted was for my dad to be at my wedding. He looked at me and said “Well, what are we waiting on?” And that was that. It was settled. 
I picked up my wedding dress the same day I was officially proposed to. We planned our entire wedding in 2 weeks. The venue was set for my dad’s nursing home courtyard. The older ladies lined the entry way with their chairs to be able to watch and it was the most perfect day. I got my daddy daughter dance I had always dreamed of. Now today on June 29th, 2023 I get to introduce my Daddy to my first baby girl.
Doggies for Dementia Foundation genuinely prioritizes the well-being of families living with dementia. By inviting both families and their faithful canine companions to these photography sessions, the program doesn’t just capture moments but also encapsulates the bond between generations and their pets. For Bob and his family, we just had to include him seeing his granddaughter for the first time. We have some shots with our stuffed dog, Molly, but clearly this story needed to be told. 
These heartwarming stories and images are then shared with the world, raising awareness about the often-overlooked challenges of dementia and the impact it has on families. This initiative not only provides tangible memories for families to cherish but also serves as support and understanding for others navigating similar journeys.
Our Mission Statement
Doggies for Dementia Foundation reduces stigma, isolation, and loneliness for those impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia by providing beautiful experiences and photographs, a platform to share their stories with others, and education and awareness in order to better understand the diseases.
Contact Us About Photo Session
You might have questions about how we offer these photo sessions for families for free, how we are funded, who we are and especially how to arrange for this for your own family or long term community. We’ve got you covered!
