Photographer Jasmina Lozar PovÅ¡eâs favorite subject has always been her dog, Lilly.
When Lilly got sick in October 2016, PovÅ¡e continued to take pics of the pup, thinking sheâd document Lillyâs recovery and return to good health.
âI took photos because I was truly positive she would be fine,â the Slovenia-based photographer told HuffPost. âInstead of a recovery, though, I captured my hardest goodbye.â
In December 2016, after months and months of tests and vet visits, Lilly died from what the doctors discovered was liver cancer.
âMy heart broke when I lost her,â PovÅ¡e, who runs a music site, said. âEven though I couldnât let her go I know now I had to.â
Initially, the beautiful black and white images show Lilly at ease, hanging out with her canine bestie Deuce, PovÅ¡eâs other dog.
âDeuce loved Lilly so much, itâs incredible,â PovÅ¡e said.
Povše found Lilly in a shelter in Croatia and said the dog quickly became her best friend.
âWhen I spotted her there, she was so little and scared,â the photographer said. âBut then she became my partner in everything I did. Lilly and I liked long walks, hiking, playing with the rocks, anything.â
Povše even credits walks with Lilly for relieving her of asthma and allergy symptoms.
Gradually, the photo series begins to show Lilly slowing down because of her illness.
âWhen I look at these photos now, every single picture takes me to that exact moment and it tears me apart inside,â PovÅ¡e said. âShe didnât give up once.â
As painful as the photos are to look at, the series reminds Povše of the great dog she once had.
âShe was my best friend. She was up for anything, she was playful, happy and loving,â the photographer said. âLilly will be in my heart forever.â
See more of the heart-tugging photos below.