One of the highlights of photographing so many beautiful BADRAP pit bulls for My Mutt posters these past few weeks has been getting to know a number of dogs rescued from Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels in 2007. Last week I met Jonny Justice and Uba, now both adopted and living in loving homes in San Francisco, along with Jonny's friend Lily, another pit bull. We went to Crissy field first for some beach shots and then headed back to Jonny's place.
Let me just say that these guys are a ton of fun to be around. Jonny has near-constant grin and loves to play. He likes his quiet time too, though, and once a month he works with kids as part of Paws for Tale, a program where children gain confidence by reading aloud to dogs like Jonny. Uba seems a bit more reserved at first but has a serious vertical leap (both in and out of the tailgate) and definitely gives Jonny a run for his money (Uba's mom told me he runs on a special treadmill at home)
Check em' out and let us know what shots you like for the poster...
Jonny Justice and his megawatt smile
Uba
Lily hits the gas
Jonny gets the door (you just know he's got mischief on his mind)
Uba on the beach
Just a bit to the right, please
things are lookin' up
Buddies at play
Flamingos make me smile, too
Methinks someone's growing weary of this shoot
You'd think they'd pick something more scenic for this
You heard there'd be a tailgate party after the shoot, right?
Buds for life: Uba & Jonny
The tailgate pic for sure! The black & white fella looks like my baby Ruby!
“Just a bit to the right”, and “things are looking up”
they say it all
Awesome, beautiful photos! My favorites are the flamingoes, the bridge, and the tailgate party.
Flamingos for sure!!
Tailgating is number 2.
Johnny at the Door number 3.
Great shots!!
Tailgate party, Flamingo’s, and Just to the right, Please.
These would be my to three, althought it was a tough call.
You’d think they’d pick something more scenic for this is my favorite – love the ears in this one!
Impossible to choose, but the first one with Jonny’s tongue flapping in the wind really captures a sense of freedom and relaxation. Far from what his previous life was! But they’re all so wonderful!
Buds for life!! Sooo cute!
It’s so hard to choose! I love them all.
Love them all, but “I love Flamingos too” and “Jonny gets the door” as well as “More scenic than this”. Wags and Licks to all Bully friends. Roxanne & Shadeaux
The last three are great shots. I think it’s important to show the together, fully rehabilitated and happy.
Flamingos for #1..Beautiful shots:)
I love the first two photos – Uba and Johnny Justice. What beautiful and happy dogs!
The final pic with their cute little snouts so close together is the winner! You can see how sweet & loving they are!
Flamingos make me smile
Tailgate Party
Scenic Route
They all look gorgeous. WTG!
The megawatt smile!
“Just a bit to the right”, “Flamingos”, and “You heard there’d be a tailgate party” are my picks. Great pictures, what a bunch of beautiful dogs!
Tailgate is fabulous..and Just a bit to the right, because
I love brindles and that’s a sweet moment captured there.
Definitely “Flamingos Make Me Smile, Too”!!!
I love these guys!!! =D
Yup..Tailgate!!!
buds for life !! what gorgeous dogs , great reprasentatives of what was once and what is now on their behalf .
Things are looking up, Tailgate and flamingoes… sorry. They’re all so cute that it was really difficult to narrow down to 1.
“Buds for Life” says it all for me. All of the pictures are wonderful – Thanks for sharing!
What brilliant photos! What a fantastic dog photographer!
Mark, you really capture the spirit of these beautiful dogs.
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I’m still smiling
My picks are: Tailgate party, Things are looking up and Flamingos. All of them are great! Thanks for sharing.
Falmingos #1 – shows their beautiful smiles!!!!!
Roxann, glad you enjoyed these. To be honest, the dogs do most of the work — I’m just there to capture it. Best job in the world.
They are all great, but, for a poster…..I think the tailgait pic is the one.
Buds for life! These are great pictures!
LOOK HOW HAPPY THEY ARE!
How sweet!
I like the Buds for Life and the Flamingo picture (because they both appear to be smiling).
Tailgate, scenic and things are lookin up are my favs! They are such cuties- great shots, too!
Buds for life and Flamingos. Great pictures, great dogs, great owners!
Send Vick some BEFORE and AFTER pics!!!
Please use tilegate party… They are so beautiful. Own a blue pit myself and would never change that in million years….
tailgate party!!!!
1 flamingos
2 things are looking up
3 megawatt/tailgate tie..
Every pic of these amazing dogs are precious, but I’ve seen past pics of Uba that I liked more.
Like the side by side closeup “see them now” shots. My FAVES!
The “I like flamingoes, too” and that last one, Jonny Loves Uba, involving a kiss are my favorites for a cover shot. The flopped ears on flamingoes and the obvious, shared enjoyment shows us that these mutilated dogs can bounce back so beautifully. However, in case that baring of the teeth scares potential viewers (my goofball golden retriever’s fangs used to scare people when he was only panting, but goldens don’t have a bad rep) then the kiss Jonny gives Uba out of love may draw more people into their circle. I’m already there. Wonderful pictures, wonderful project.
Johnny at the door #1. He looks like he would love to get into some trouble. It is adorable.
Buds for life #2. They look like kind dogs who just want some companionship and love.
When I look at these photos, I can’t help but think of their life pre rescue. It’s hard to fathom as it is in such contrast to what I see now. They are so grounded, beautiful, healthy and happy it makes me cry tears of joy.
Flamingos make me smile…is my choice.
When I look at these photos, I can’t help but think of their life pre rescue. It’s hard to fathom as it is in such contrast to what I see now. They are so grounded, beautiful, healthy and happy it makes me cry tears of joy.
Flamingos is my choice.
I love the pictures; the boys look so happy. Love ‘em!
“Flamingos” and “Buds for Life” So incredibly sweet!!!
Megawatt smile is my favorite. I like the Flamingos make me smile too though.
i love the Buddies for life pic, shows the sweetness of the breed!! and the door pic!!! so cute
Impossible to chose 1 pic, let alone 1 dog over the others… Great shots with some beautiful dogs!
They are ALL great pictures. So happy to see the dogs so happy. Thank God for THAT one judge who decided to give them a chance of a good life.
Johnny Gets The Door
Just A Bit To The Right
Flamingoes Make Me Smile
You Heard There Would Be A Tailgate Party
were my favorites, in that order.
Love “Things are looking up” and “tailgating in the truck”