Remembering Carl D. Bromberg: A Friend, HuDad, Animal Advocate & Photographer

"In a world full of people who couldn’t care less…be someone who cares more." ~Unknown

 

The above was a quote Carl D. Bromberg liked and had recently shared. It's so true, and Carl was one of those someones "who cares more." I sure hope he knew that. 

Baby "Suri" with momma "Jesse." Photo by

 Carl D. Bromberg/Visions Photography for 

Little Miss Suri Facebook Page

 

I'm sad to say that on March 29th, I received a call from a very dear mutual friend who shared the heartbreaking news with me that Carl had earned his angel wings. With his devoted Suri by his side, she howled her goodbyes, guiding his way to the heavenly Rainbow Bridge, where his furangels were all waiting to greet him. 

 

I "met" Carl many years ago, 11 to be exact, while I was working on my book, EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living and Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy. Carl had answered my call-out for stories about dogs with epilepsy, and his dog at the time, "Mia," had was an epileptic, and she is one of the Epi-stars featured in my book. And, as they say, the rest is history! A friendship was born.

 

Many people across the world, thanks to social media, knew of Carl and became good friends with him across the miles, and knew of his love of animals, Huskies, and photography. He always had wonderful exchanges with folks who commented on his posts. As one of his friends mentioned on his condolence post, sometimes the bonds of friendship are so genuine that it's easy to forget they formed on social media, and not in person. How true. Distance and circumstance never dampers the true ties of friendship.

 

Carl was a very talented professional photographer and owner of Visions Photography in Iowa. He often applied his skills to take photos of homeless shelter pets in hopes of them finding loving, forever homes.

 

He was also the adorable voice behind Little MissSuri on Facebook, author of the book about her, a volunteer at Last Hope Animal Rescue in Iowa, and in recent years, he enjoyed providing security at music venues, which at times, we also enjoyed discussing (besides talking photography and Huskies!)

 

A sample of  photography by Carl D. Bromberg/Visions Photography/Little Miss Suri

 

Being the wonderful "HuDaddy" he was to Suri and her (now furangels) mom "Jesse," dad "Titan," "Uncle Caleb Bear," "Charlotte," "Mia," and many foster dogs...Carl had in place a set plan for his beloved Suri to be rehomed with a good friend (and an experienced multi-Siberian Husky caregiver) "just in case." 

 

Suri, while missing her HuDaddy, is now safely residing in her new forever home with that good friend Carl hand-picked himself, and who agreed to care for his girl. Sadly, Carl's time did come, and way too early, but I'm sure he felt at peace knowing his Suri would have a wonderful HuMom, and will now be sharing daily life with her furry canine bestie, who is now her brother.

Carl and Suri visiting the famous Balto statue in Manhattan, NY in between filming the Puppy Bowl X.

 

Suri's official Puppy Bowl portrait, 

courtesy of Carl D. Bromberg.

 

Proud "HuDaddy" Carl with his Little Miss Suri while waiting at Animal Planet studio for the Puppy Bowl X to start filming.

 

Carl was so proud of his beautiful Suri, who was a Puppy Bowl X star! I remember that game and getting one of the Suri T-shirts and cheering her on with my own FiveSibes while she competed in the game! What a thrill to know a Puppy Bowl star! This past February, I wrote a fun #FlashbackFriday post about when Suri was in the Puppy Bowl and my FiveSibes and I had fun time watching. It's a fun trip down Memory Lane, and I hope you'll take a look HERE. 

 

When Suri's Puppy Bowl X party and Last Hope Animal Rescue made Fox News! Click on image to go the Fox News story.

 

For many years, Carl and I talked about writing a book about Suri, as she had a very surprising start in life. As an author and editor and affiliate with Amazon, we decided to work on the book and publish it through that platform. In 2023, we began working on the project, and early last year, The Story of Little Miss Suri: From Surprise Puppy to Puppy Star was released on Amazon! The book, which I edited and another dear friend and talented illustrator, Barbara Slocum worked on creating sketches, including the back cover that depicted when while in New York City for the Puppy Bowl, Suri was greeted by a NYPD officer. I am so very proud of this book that tells an amazing story about an incredible little Husky puppy. 

 

💚 Carl's book cover featuring his photograph of Suri and her momma, Jesse. 💚

 

(Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I received a small commission *at no extra cost* to purchasers, if they chose to purchase the book through my link. 

The delightful illustration by artist Barbara Slocum depicting the real meeting of Suri and a New York City Police Department officer while she was in Manhattan for filming of the Puppy Bowl X!

At the time, I worked on making some fun graphics of Suri with her book, and especially fond of this one, and so was Carl. I created the "kissing" HuDaddy gif from selfies given to me by Carl to celebrate the release of their book. I think it truly shows the love Suri had for him, and really looked like she knew the book was about her!

You can read all about the book release HERE.

 

What a fun project that was and I was thrilled to work with Carl on it! What made it even more special for him was that the front cover was one of his photographs, while the interior contained illustrations by Barb Slocum. I'm so happy this book came to fruition and was available on Amazon, as it surely is a rescue-Husky-who-had-a-surprise-puppy-who-went-on-to-Puppy-Bowl fame, and their lasting legacy.

Carl and "Suri" visiting a classroom to talk about rescue dogs and the Puppy Bowl!

 

Carl always posted cheerful, uplifting stories on Little Miss Suri page, including ones of Suri in her signature cutsey voice, and of her packmates. Here's a cute one of Suri's "Uncle Caleb Bear" being a silly, cute Husky boy!

 

 Uncle Caleb Bear being so cute 

in a video by Carl D. Bromberg/Little Miss Suri

 

Carl supported shelters and rescues, and enjoyed taking photos through his Visions Photography of many other shelter animals to help them find homes, all the while sharing his life with multiple amazing rescue dogs. Check out this video from CBS 2 Iowa's News Now where they featured Carl and his volunteer photography work as one of their CBS 2 Heroes: 

 

Often times Carl created beautiful photo posters using his own photography, which at times included portraits of Suri, Uncle Caleb Bear, or one of his other dogs, with heartfelt quotes. He often sold them, donating a portion of the funds to help shelter dogs. Sometimes the quotes were so touching, as in the one below with his Suri, and other times, his sense of humor shined through as in the one underneath featuring Caleb bear.

Carl's "Little Miss Suri" 

 

Carl & Suri's "Uncle Caleb Bear"

There is a good reminder in Carl's life story for every pet parent—and that is to make sure there is a plan in place for your beloved pets...just in case. I had a "godmother" for my FiveSibes. While everyone always hopes and prays that we have longevity and good health so we can always take care of our beloved dogs until their final moments, it is being a responsible pet parent to put a plan in place for your pets..."just in case...," and thankfully, that is what Carl did.

It was also Carl's wish that a very dear friend and Husky  "HuMom" take over and continue administering Little Miss Suri's Facebook. So, we hope that, too, will come to fruition. So please keep following her page and hopefully one day soon, there will be an announcement once all the legalities have been worked out.

 

"I have a story to tell, it keeps me on my toes. It wants to be written in a photograph, it wants to 'show' this story is yours, for memories always grow." 

~Carl D. Bromberg, Visions Photography 

 

"Suri" and HuDaddy Carl 

at her Puppy Bowl party!

 

We send heartfelt condolences to Carl's son and family, and to all of his friends.

 

A Special Request: Carl was a dear friend to so many. I'm sure there are a lot of really touching "Carl stories" out there, and if you have one, please share in the comments, and I'll have our dear mutual friend pass them along to his son and Suri's new HuMom. 

Carl, may you rest in peace knowing your beloved girl,  Suri, is safe and loved. While you left behind a trail of tears, we take comfort in knowing you were greeted by your beloved furangels Jesse, Titan, Uncle Caleb Bear, Charlotte, and Mia, and I'm certain it was a special reunion as they eagerly ran toward the Rainbow Bridge gate to greet you, their forever HuDaddy. 

Note: While working with Carl on Suri's book and subsequent promotions, he shared many photographs with me, and gave me permission to use his photographs and videos, with appropriate credit.

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