Dog lover creating custom pictures of treasured pets with a helping hand from AI

Bernie O’Neill is raising money for charity by creating themed digital photos of pets in exchange for a donation to an animal shelter.

She owns the Perfect Day and Perfect Night bridal and occasionwear boutique in her hometown but is also known as a dog lover.

Bernie was left devastated last September after her dog Dexter died in her arms on the way to the vet.

She decided to channel her grief into setting up Petsy, initially offering Christmas-themed dog photos.

Since then, she has created hundreds of pictures for pet owners in Northern Ireland, the wider UK and as far away as the US.

“After losing Dexter on September 19 in a very sudden and traumatic way, I felt my world was falling apart,” Bernie said.

“He was only three and a half. We got him the day after the first Covid-19 lockdown and he was very special.

“He took ill suddenly. We had been back and forward to the vet all weekend, and they had booked him in for surgery, but Dexter died in my arms on the way to the operation. We don’t know why he died. They wanted to do a post-mortem, but we didn’t want to put him through that.

“I’ve always been dog-crazy, and when they get to 15 or 16 years old, you expect to lose them, but with Dexter it was different because he was so young.

“I got involved in some pet grief groups on Facebook, and lots of people were asking for nice photos of their pets, so I downloaded an AI app, started to try my hand at them and loved them.

“I offered to do Christmas-themed ones, and I was inundated.

“I have done hundreds including Valentine-themed pictures and, now, St Patrick’s Day. I will also do Easter.

“I have done some as memorials for people who have lost their dogs, and I’ve also created a few for pet cats.

“As I have got used to doing it and using the app, I have got a lot better at it.

“It is amazing how much you can do with AI. It has really helped me with my grief. It is a bit of fun, people just love them.”

Bernie’s husband Ciaran, an award-winning wedding and portrait photographer, gave her pictures the thumbs up.

There is no fee for the images, with Bernie instead asking for a donation to the Almost Home dog shelter in Moira.

“It is up to the person to give what they can,” she said.

“Some people can only afford £2, and others give £30, but it is great to help such a good charity.

“Some people can’t afford to give anything at all, and that’s okay. I do it for the fun and the love of dogs.”

Bernie now has a cockapoo puppy called Ollie, who was born on September 15, the day Dexter took ill.

“Getting a new pup kept me busy too, but not a day goes past that I don’t think of my special boy Dexter,” she said.

“Doing the digital pictures has helped get me through [the dog’s death] and helped me turn my loss into some fun for other pet owners. I have really loved doing them.”

If you would like a special St Patrick’s Day picture of your pet, you can get in touch with Bernie through the Petsy Facebook page. Her images have so far raised more than £1,000 for dog charities. To make donation to her appeal for the Almost Home shelter in Moira, visit www.gofundme.com/f/94aq8b-almost-home-dog-shelter