Hi!

I wanted to post up a note from a man who takes the most beautiful photos of dogs that you couldn't help but love. David Darcy has an exhibition opening Saturday June 23rd called Street Dogs of India. I've travelled around India and was amazed and dismayed at the masses of stray dogs homeless on the streets. If you love dogs and photography Im sure you will love Davids work and the cause he is supporting with this exhibition.

Mandy x

Dear friend, colleague and dog lovers

 In February this year I embarked on the most significant photographic assignment of my career. A journey that took me across boundaries, both physically and emotionally. The assignment was to document the field work of the Australian based charity Vets Beyond Borders(VBB) in the north-east Indian state of Sikkim. Then, travel across northern India from east to west and photograph dogs on the streets of India.

 "Nothing can fully prepare you for the streets of India. The life and death struggle slaps you in the face the moment you step off the plane. I went to India on behalf of Vets Beyond Borders to document their work and to photograph dogs across the country. What I found was a brave and beautiful nation, albeit overflowing with both human and animal suffering. A place where mans best friend lives and dies in the gutter in front of you. It was confronting, sickening and there were times when I felt that the suffering was insurmountable and beyond help. But no problem can be solved by turning your back to it. Vets Beyond Borders is providing hope and inspiration to this otherwise hopeless situation. The "Street dogs of India" exhibition documents the lives of our four legged friends in this amazing country. I hope the work will inspire people to help in what ever way they can." David Darcy, for Vets Beyond Borders, May 2007.

 The first Street dogs of India exhibition (see attachment) will show at the Katoomba Fine Art Gallery www.katoombafineart.com.au in the Blue Mountains from 23rd June to the 10th July (Opening 23rd June 3 - 5pm). The exhibition will then tour Australia for six months showing in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, before it heads overseas. In the coming weeks we will be updating www.mongrel.com.au and establishing a site that gives more details as-to the exhibitions next whereabouts, dates, etc. Please keep watching.

 Proceeds from the exhibitions will support VBB. I ask that if you can't make it to one of the shows you take a look at the website www.vetsbeyondborders.org and make yourself aware of their inspirational work.

 I look forward to catching up with old friend and acquaintances at the openings.

 Regards

David Darcy