Meet Lentil—the adventure‑loving rescue
Spend the day in the great outdoors with Lentil, a rescue pup who found her forever home with National Geographic photographer Tara Kerzhner.
Welcome to a day in the adventurous life of Lentil, exploring Oregon’s Smith Rock State Park with her beloved owner, Tara, behind the lens.
Photographs byTara Kerzhner
Published April 27, 2026
Hi, I’m Tara Kerzhner, a National Geographic photographer and avid rock climber—and this is Lentil, my rescue pup and constant companion. I adopted Lentil from a shelter in Boulder, Colorado, back in 2022, and now she’s living her best, good-girl life. Follow along and experience a day with Lentil!
This morning we’re up early and headed to Oregon’s Smith Rock State Park for a day of hiking and sport climbing. We’ve learned over the years that every good adventure starts with good prep: harness, rope, shoes, water, a cozy dog bed—and extra treats. For both of us. Just in case.
The second we hit the road, she knows. All business, like she’s running the whole operation. I like to call her my tater tot terrier, but make no mistake, she’s clearly the pup‑in‑charge!
On days like this, it’s just us. No work. No emails. No phone calls. Just climbing, hiking, and being together—totally unplugged. Wherever she wants to go, we go. I love following her lead.
On a typical day, we spend hours in the park exploring and making the most of our time together. And once we reach the top, she loves taking in the view—just like I do.
When I stop to photograph something, she supervises—classic photo assistant! A tail wag of encouragement when she knows I got a good one. Never mind that about half my photos are actually of her. She’s just adorable. I mean … just look at that ear‑to‑pup ratio!
One thing I love about Lentil is that she’s there for it all. From field assignments to everyday adventures, she comes everywhere with me—from trails close to home to climbing areas all over the world. She’s basically my shadow!
Finally, we’re home. This is easily my favorite part of the day, when everything slows down. One last backyard play before we settle in for the night. After a big day of outdoor adventures, Lentil is completely wiped. She’s definitely sleeping well tonight!
Every day I spend with Lentil reminds me how lucky I am to have found her. She’s taught me how to step away from the noise, to be more present, and to trust that the best adventures often happen when you follow their lead.
