During the mid-1970s, life was hard for people in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. The massive recession that followed the OPEC oil embargo in 1973 put many people out of work. And an inflation rate higher than 10% made many necessities unaffordable. Life was especially difficult for people like this woman with dwarfism. She needed crutches to help her walk and had a hard time getting around. But she enjoyed the unconditional love of her dog. As I photographed her from different angles, the dog constantly repositioned itself between me and her – ever the loyal protector.
