©K.K.DePaul, Skeeter Bath Day, Lancaster PA

On this day of American’s giving thanks, especially on the heels of a derisive and contentious election, we gather those closest to us for an annual feast that celebrates family and friends. The idea of family would include those underfoot and in and around our homes that provide us with unconditional love, comfort, humor, and the profound connection between humans and animals. Today we celebrate that other part of our family, The Animals Among Us.

In thinking about what I am grateful for, the wonderful staff and talented photographic artists at Lenscratch are certainly at the top of my list. Grant Gil, our Special Projects and Content Aware Director, Sarah Stankey, our Exhibitions Editor and Contributing Writer (currently working on her MFA), Clay Lipsky, our talented Art Director, Noelle Swan Gibert, our tireless copy editor, Jonas Yip, our Digital Architect, who always makes things right, Valerie Patterson our Social Media Editor who is at it day and night, Julia Bennett, our Instagram Editor and our Resource Editor Patty Lemke, who I am especially grateful for creating today’s exhibition, all dedicate time and energies to our community through Lenscratch as a way of giving back. I also appreciate Art + Science Editor, Linda Alterwitz, Notes from a Curator Editor, Lisa Volpe, and all the States Project Editors for their time, insights, and efforts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Lastly, I am thankful for this most amazing community of photographic artists, curators, gallerists, editors, photo center directors, etc. who support, encourage, and most importantly, create or present work that inspires, teaches, celebrates the human (and animal) experience.  We are so lucky to be part of this greater family. Now, go fill your plates!  — Aline Smithson

©Tammy Swarek, Shelter Pets Project – Ombre, El Dorado, AR

©Anne Berry Lion Tamer Newnan, GA

©Patty Lemke, The Stare, Los Angeles, CA

© Shin Noguchi, Cherry, Omachi, Kamakura, Jan 2013

©Dagmar Haggenburg, The Creation of a Pigeon, Rotterdam, NL

©Rutger Prins, Slow Decay 2, Groningen, the Netherlands

©Andrea Waxler, Glowing, Tyngsboro, MA

©Janis Hersh, Sylvia in the Kitchen, Lexington, MA

©Peter Lančarič, Tattoo artist, Trnava, Slovakia

©db waltrip, Tattletale, Pensacola, FL

© Irving S. T. Garp, Catwoman, Bruxelles (Belgium)

©Alex Djordjevic, Penny the Corgi, Malvern, PA

©Paul Matzner, Theo and Lucca, Washington Island, WI

© Rachael Wright, Untitled, Holbrook, AZ

©Jim McKinniss,Lincoln Horse,Lincoln CA

©Beth Maier, Untitled, Indiana

©Traer Scott, In Bed, Providence, RI

©Larry Torno, Irene, St. Louis, MO

©Yorgos Efthymiadis, Mīlu, Somerville, MA

©James Taylor, A Moment To Rest, Thatcham, UK

©Sally Ann Field, Devoted, Los Angeles, CA

©Sheri Lynn Behr, Brothers, New York, NY

@Izumi Tanaka, Decadent, Santa Monica, Ca

©Harvey Hanig, synchronized labs, Batavia, IL

©Susan Keiser, Annie and Monkey, Ossining, NY

©Michelle Friars, Guardians of the Lightbox, Seattle, WA

©Ryan Mills, Themis, Belgium, 2015

©Jay Dean, Father after bathing homeless kitten, Westerville, OH

© Jone Vasaitis, Goodnight, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

©Shari Yantra Marcacci, Finley, Studio City, CA,

©Fred Levy, From the Black Dog Project

©Benjamin Dimmitt, Burying Floyd, Bear Mtn., NY

©Catherine Panebianco, Benny Was A Good Boy #1, Jamestown, NY

©Michael Koch, White Budgie, Braunschweig, Germany

©Deanna Dikeman, Sally, Wally, Boz, and Hallie, at Wally’s birthday party, Lenexa, KS

©Jim Kohatsu, Cycling Canine, Berlin, Germany

©Donna Rosser, Snow Day, Fayetteville, GA

© Lisa Marie Stevens, EMME, Lockport, IL

@Melissa Allensworth, Oliver, Santa Ana, CA