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August 10, 2017 by Terran 3 Comments

5 Reasons This San Diego Pet Photographer LOVES Pit Bulls

I’ve met a LOT of dogs in my life and the bully breeds are right there at the top of my list of favorites. Every single one I’ve ever met has been so full of personality, love, and joy — and they have the best smiles! They’re just like every other dog who wants to feel loved, be a part of a family, and devote their lives to being your best friend. Need proof? Keep reading to meet five of the most lovabull pitties I’ve worked with… and if you want a special treat, stick around ’till the end!
 

#1 Joshua the international male model

This amazing fella was left for dead, chained to the wall in a basement many years ago. He was saved when a neighbor heard is original owner talking about how they were waiting for him to die before tossing his body in the trash. He was brought to his local SPCA where his soon-to-be mama volunteered. He was malnourished to an extreme level and had a long way to go before he would be ready to go into a home. When he was healthy and available for adoption, a nice family came in, fell in love, and took him home. His soon-to-be mom was absolutely heartbroken. She expressed her sadness to the head of the SPCA and he told her he never would have let Joshie go if he had known! But, as it turned out, Josh was not meant to be with this other family and they brought him back a few days later. His soon-to-be mama got the call that he was back and she raced down to scoop him up! Joshua now leads a very pampered life as an international male model for his mom who’s a fellow pet photographer in Boston. He has found his forever home and his forever family. He is so full of love and joy for every day.

As a little fun note, when I visited Joshie and his mom in Boston for their On-Location Adventure, I was invited to stay for a sleepover (his mom and I are dear friends) and I got to snuggle with Joshua all night long! He takes up the entire bed, snores like a little piggie, and when he senses you’re awake in the morning, will wiggle his entire body right up to touch your nose and give the biggest yawn right in your face to say good morning! I loved it all and it’s simply the best way to wake up!

Explore On-Location Adventures like Joshua’s

 

#2 Odin the squish-face 

In another story about love and fate, soft and squishy Odin was celebrating his 1-year gotchaversary during our On-Location Adventure in San Diego’s must-see Balboa Park! He was rescued by his mom from a high-kill shelter one hour before he was scheduled to be euthanized. His mom had been sharing his photo and story online, trying to find an adopter because she knew what was about to happen. As the fateful hour drew near with no family in sight, she knew it was because she was meant for him. She drove to the shelter, scooped him up, and the rest is history!

Odin is probably the most laid-back dog I have ever met. He’s a total goober and is always smiling. His mama loves him with her whole heart and he loves her just the same. He leads a wonderful life with his forever family!

Explore On-Location Adventures like Odin’s

 

#3 Athena the petite packs-a-punch-of-cuteness staffie

How gorgeous is this sweet girl? Athena is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is one giant ball of happy lets-go-play energy! She absolutely loves the beach so we headed to Coronado Dog Beach for her On-Location Adventure. We spent a good chunk of time playing with the ball, running through the waves, and playing chase with mom and dad. She is teeny-tiny compared to other bully breeds but the amount of love this little girl has for her mom and dad in one of her little paws could outweigh the biggest bull mastiff around! Athena loves to say hello to everyone she sees, especially if you have a toy to play with! She leads an extremely good life with two doting pet-parents who love her more than anything!

Explore On-Location Adventures like Athena’s

 

#4 Polo the dapper dog

This handsome hunk is a professional male model extraordinaire. He waited and waited and waited at the shelter for over an entire year before I got to meet him. Polo is a very studious fella who spent his days in the shelter working with a talented trainer who was teaching him all the manners a gentleman needs before going into a proper home. We were doing a fashion shoot in the studio to help raise awareness for homeless pets and Polo came to model for us. He looked so dapper in his pink tie, don’t you think?

Want to know the best part about this story? Polo found his forever family just a week later!

Explore Studio Sessions like Polo’s

 

#5 Belle the Flower Child

Sweet, wonderful Belle. She was her mama’s first pup and was slowing down in her senior years. Belle had bone cancer in her left front limb right below her shoulder so she wasn’t as spry as she once was but she still loved making new friends, squeaking her tennis ball, car rides, and going on walks. Belle absolutely loved to explore and that’s exactly what we did during our springtime On-Location Adventure in Los Penasquitos Canyon in San Diego. By the way she smiled among the flowers in the golden afternoon light, I think she was a real country girl. She had 13 amazing years as the happiest pup with a mom and sister who utterly adored her!

Explore On-Location Adventures like Belle’s

 

Guess what?

A big part of why I do what I do is the ability to give back. For the next 10 bully-breed dog families who sign up for an On-Location Adventure with me before the end of 2017, I’m going to give $100 to It’s the Pits Dog Rescue of San Diego.

Are you with me? Grab your session today!


Want to read more stories? Scroll down and sign up for the Wild, Wild Westway!

 

Filed Under: all pet portraits, field notes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. pene diMaio says

    August 15, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    This is lovely, Terran! You so obviously LOVE what you do and the sweet critters you get to kibbutz with!!

    Reply
  2. Wyn says

    August 16, 2017 at 10:23 am

    Love this post and your support of rescue organizations! Thank you for all you do for the animals :-)

    Reply
  3. Andrea says

    September 19, 2017 at 7:29 am

    Thank you so much for helping It’s The Pits! We very much appreciate you :)

    Reply

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Wyoming better move on over and make some room bec Wyoming better move on over and make some room because Montana now shares my heart. We spent 45 days in the western half of the state this year and I did NOT want to leave.​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​On our last day, Roxy and I sat out by the Gallatin River together. I sipped my morning tea, we listened to the birds, and watched a little squirrel eat a nut in the tree next to us. It was pure perfection.⁣ 
My *TWO* Montana blogs are up on my website so head on over to westwaypets.com/blog or click the links in my IG bio!
We're officially back in San Diego but I'm still d We're officially back in San Diego but I'm still dreaming of Utah! Photographing Rey and her mom among the red rocks was one of the highlights of our trip. Rey's beautiful brindle tones worked so perfectly with the red rocks and I just loved the happy, natural smiles both mom & pup had when they were together!
I absolutely loved this peaceful spot in Jackson H I absolutely loved this peaceful spot in Jackson Hole. Down a gravel road, away from the tourist crowds, the Teton range stood nobly in the distance while tall trees, yellow wildflowers, and a friendly little chipmunk called this hilltop home. This was such a special evening and Mother Nature's dramatic sunset is not one I'll soon forget.
Here's a little Montana sunrise sparkle and a big Here's a little Montana sunrise sparkle and a big smile from Henry to start your day!
Hello, Las Vegas! Shutterhound starts TOMORROW!!!! Hello, Las Vegas! Shutterhound starts TOMORROW!!!! I know how hard the conference founders, Kaylee & Sam, have been working to pull this all together and I am 1,000,000% confident this will be an event to remember! I am honored to have been asked to teach two separate classes at the event and am so excited to get up there on stage and share what I've learned over the past 13 years as a pet photographer! Are any of my social followers here at the conference, too? Are you ready to have your socks knocked off????? I am!!!
Who's ready to go have some fun this weekend??? Who's ready to go have some fun this weekend???
We wrapped up this year's road trip in Big Sky, Mo We wrapped up this year's road trip in Big Sky, Montana and this was our final hike. Roxy rode in her carriage and was as happy as a little clam the whole time. She loves being out in nature and I'm just so glad we can still provide her with special outings like this one.
This year's Great American Road trip flew by way t This year's Great American Road trip flew by way too quickly. It feels like we were in Wyoming just yesterday, staring out at my favorite mountain range in awe, and photographing the amazing Harley and his mom.​​​​​​​​​ 
I'm flying out to Las Vegas next week to teach at Shutterhound, *the* conference for pet photographers. I'm excited to see old friends, meet new ones, and teach two classes! I am so honored to be part of the "rockstar speaker" lineup, which includes some of the very best, most iconic, and talented pet photographers from across the globe! Can Vegas even contain so much talent? As the conference founders are telling us, expect your socks to be blown right off more than once!
Montana taught me that I can plan and plan and pla Montana taught me that I can plan and plan and plan — but Mother Nature likes to have a little fun with those who get a little too confident in the weather! ➡️ We got completely drenched at one of our photo shoots this month and it will be one of my favorite memories from our entire road trip!
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