South African filmmaker Dave Meinert rescued Pegasus, a Great Dane, from a backyard puppy mill when she was just four weeks old. Most of her siblings had died or were deformed, and Pegasus was born with a severe lack of pigment, known as a ‘double-merle.’ Dave was told that if she lived, there was a good chance she could become both blind and deaf.

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Dave decided to take a photograph of Pegasus every day, documenting her growing up, not knowing how long she would live, but celebrating each day that she did. The resulting time-lapse is the first 7 months – and hopefully the start of many, many, many more – for the little giant puppy. In an interview for Fastco, Meinert said,

Rescuing her was a way for me to be sure she’d be looked after. For me, she had already been born—nothing was going to change that. By rescuing her, at least I could be certain that she wouldn’t be discarded.

Dave set up his camera facing a treadmill, placed lighting above to remain consistent even through the seasons and enlisted an animal behaviorist to work with the dog. Watching baby Pegasus grow before our eyes and knowing her history definitely tugs on the heart strings, even if you aren’t a dog lover (and you guys know I am). Dave still isn’t sure how how much time Pegasus has left due to her condition, but he continues to celebrate each day they have together.

[REWIND: TY FOSTER EXPLORES DOGS WEARING THE CONE OF SHAME IN ‘TIMEOUT’]

To see more of Dave Meinert’s video, check out his website here.

[Via Bored Panda]