Bear is my current dog, and I honestly owe a whole lot of my progress to him.
In 2016, I got a call from my mother asking if a blind dog was trainable. I told her, "Yeah of course. Any dog is trainable". She went on to tell me a pitbull, who had been hit by a car and was going to lose his eyes, was brought into the vet she was working at. Now, in my family, when mom calls about an animal there is a 95% chance that animal is coming home. I was very into pitbulls, I had begged for one for years, so needless to say I was ecstatic. A few days later Bear had his surgery, he was signed over to us, and on the car ride to his new home I made him an instagram. That day was the beginning of an adventure I never could of predicted.
In 2016, I got a call from my mother asking if a blind dog was trainable. I told her, "Yeah of course. Any dog is trainable". She went on to tell me a pitbull, who had been hit by a car and was going to lose his eyes, was brought into the vet she was working at. Now, in my family, when mom calls about an animal there is a 95% chance that animal is coming home. I was very into pitbulls, I had begged for one for years, so needless to say I was ecstatic. A few days later Bear had his surgery, he was signed over to us, and on the car ride to his new home I made him an instagram. That day was the beginning of an adventure I never could of predicted.
I made the instagram with the intent to educate people on special need pets, pitbulls, and rescues, as well as just document my life with him. His account took off way more than I imagined; thousands of people began to follow thanks to an article The Dodo had written about us. I was posting a lot, just fun little photos and videos of Bear enjoying life, and people were in love with him. At one point people began to even recognize Bear on walks!
Since that first year so much has happened. We've been featured on Insider, Best Life, One Green Planet, and the Philly Inquirer. Bear has even been in a book! Greg Murray's book "Pitbull Heroes" has 2 pages discussing my boy and his story. It has been such an honor to work with these people, and connect with his followers. We truly have built a community I am proud of and love. I don't know who or where I would be if it had not been for Bear. Looking back on everything we have done reminds me I am capable of so much more than I think. He gives me confidence, motivation, and will to push forward. He is my best friend.
And while this might seem like nothing to do with my photography, I believe with my whole being I would not have the confidence or skill needed to pursue this without him and the community he allowed me to build. It only feels right to have a section on my website dedicated to him :)