South African photographer Johan Van Aarde has shared a poignant phone picture of his great dane, Arya, taken in May 2021. The image, titled 'Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow', was shot on an iPhone 12 Max Pro in their home in Pretoria.
The Story Behind the Photograph
Van Aarde explains that Arya was two years old at the time, and the family had three other dogs. As winter approached, the courtyard doors leading to the pool were closed. While preparing dinner, Van Aarde noticed Arya sitting on the sofa, gazing into the distance. 'It was as if she was contemplating time and memory, admiring the reflection of the moon on the pool,' he says. 'Great danes are majestic creatures with gentle souls who communicate their thoughts with their facial expressions – and, oh boy, do they tell a story.'
A Close Call and a Lasting Impact
Just before Arya's second birthday, she went missing but was found safe the next day. Van Aarde recalls ending that evening with 'a glass of wine, warm soup and good music.' The incident made him acutely aware of how lucky he is to have her. Great danes have an average life expectancy of eight to ten years, and Arya is now seven.
'Great danes are soulmates for life, but as a result of their size the time they share with you is limited,' Van Aarde says. 'The photograph evokes a feeling of sadness and longing for me, and the fear of ever having to say goodbye.'
