Photos of Pit Bulls With Flower Crowns Will Change Your Perspective

By
Julia B
-
Image via sophiegamand/Instagram

Photographer Sophie Gamand is trying to have the world see pit bulls with different eyes through her project Flower Power. She wants to challenge “the way society perceives and treats pit bulls by shortening the emotional distance between the viewer and these misunderstood dogs. The portraits celebrate the life and dignity of these soulful creatures who are at the mercy of humans,” as mentioned on her website.

Gamand has created over 500 portraits of pit bulls in the last four years. “They need proper care, training, and socialization,” she says. “Unfortunately, because of their bad image, they have the false reputation of being more dangerous than other dogs, hence attracting irresponsible primary owners who are looking for a “scary dog”, and seek to develop those traits in them. Pit bulls’ downfall is to be exactly the way we created them: strong and loyal. With this series, I wonder if art is a tool powerful enough it can change pit bulls’ fate.”

Check out the photos below.

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New #PitBullFlowerPower portrait! I have been so busy working on the book and traveling, I have little time for flower portraits lately… But I did capture a few! Deedee is a gentle soul available in Florida. I posted her a few days ago but nobody asked about her… WELLBORN, FL (near JACKSONVILLE): Deedee is a timid girl who needs a patient home. She came from Live Oak animal control and is currently in board and train at @dogsplayingforlife in Florida, and available for adoption from there. She is shy with new people but quickly warms up and is soft and loving. She is social and good with other dogs of all sizes and could probably benefit from having another dog in the house. For more info, please email Sarah from DPFL at [email protected]. . #pitbullflowerpower #PhotographySavesLives #AdoptDontShop #flowercrown #dogsinflowers #flowerpower #sophiegamand

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✨New #PitBullFlowerPower!✨ PENNSYLVANIA (West Chester): Velvet was one of the #SaveThe21 dogs rescued from a large dog-fighting operation in Canada, back in 2015. She is now finally available for adoption via the @brandywinespca. Velvet has just spent one year in intensive training at @DogsPlayingforLife in Florida, where she received affection, attention and the enrichment needed to build her confidence in people, as well as daily handling and training exercises to teach her good manners. She is now ready for an experienced home! Despite her past, Velvet has proven social and playful with other dogs, especially male dogs. Her play style is rough and rowdy and she enjoys romping and rolling, with plenty of vocalization. She is much less tolerant of female dogs and if challenged, she can escalate, and has been categorized as dog selective. She will need an owner who understands her limitations and can set her up for success when socialized. During her Florida stay, Velvet, for the first time in her life, has learned the magic of soft beds and snuggles with her people. And turns out, she loves nothing more than to sleep as close to you as possible on the bed every night. She actually spent a few nights at a hotel and did great. There is one thing Velvet might love equally as a comfy bed, and that's playing with her BFF Velcro who was rescued from the same place. She likes playing (fetch or tug especially), but is also very calm and mellow. She did great during our shoot. Velvet was recently transferred to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, where she is settling and waiting for a home to call her own (her best buddy Velcro is also there). She has been through so much and has waited 3 long years for a chance at a normal life. Please consider sharing her and opening your home to her! For more information, visit bvspca.org or email [email protected]. A meet and greet is mandatory. Out-of-state applications are welcome. #PitBullFlowerPower #SaveThe21 #ShareThe21 #adoptdontshop #photographysaveslives #endDogfighting #dogfightingsurvivor #flowercrown #flowerdog

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IN MEMORIAM: Sasha (renamed Mischa) recently crossed the rainbow bridge. She was only 5 years old 😔. Mom @lauraongram wrote: “I had been looking for a second rescue for a while, but I always got so emotional reading the stories of abandoned pups. Until I saw your #PitBullFlowerPower portrait of Sasha. Her lip shining like a beacon. She made me smile all day long. This was my dog. Mischa suffered a year of abuse at the hands of her captors, who bred her for profit and kept her in a hard-floored cage. She languished in foster care for months and months due to her skin and food allergies before we spotted your photo online by chance and she became our baby—before we ever even saw her in person. We were so lucky to have known her, to have been the ones to teach her how to play and to snuggle like a spoiled lap dog.” 🐶🌈 . . @hemiverse #pitbullflowerpower #photographysaveslives #pitbullflowerpowerMEMORIAM #adoptdontshop #dogsinflowers #flowercrown #sophiegamand

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PENNSYLVANIA, Phoenixville: Roose (previously Zeus) came from Miami where he was found as a stray in terrible condition and with a bad injury to his eye. He was rescued and saw a vet ophthalmologist for a while, hoping the eye could be saved, but the damage was too great so now he is a one-eyed wonder boy! Roose was pulled by @mainlineanimalrescue and has been waiting in Pennsylvania for a while (I photographed him over a year ago). This medium-sized adorable boy is about 3 years old. Roose is described by the rescue as « your typical pittie »: he loves to play as much as he loves to snuggle. He thinks he is a lap dog. He walks great on the leash and loves to chase Kongs in the play fields. Unfortunately he needs to be an only pet at home although he does fine with dogs outside the home (he can walk and play next to them). There are just some dogs that rub him the wrong way. No cats for this boy! He is very quite indoors, well behaved and house trained. He has a good recall and knows « sit ». Roose had a brief stay with a family that had an infant. Apparently either Roose was playing with the baby's toys or the baby was playing with Roose's toys and he nipped at the child so he was returned. Even though it sounds like owner error the rescue now won’t place him with a very young child. But Roose loves making friends and good belly rubs. Recently he was the star of MLAR’s Prom and his #PitBullFlowerPower portrait got him the most votes (and hopefully, more exposure!). For more information, please visit www.mlar.org. . #pitbullflowerpower #adoptdontshop #photographysaveslives #pitbull #oneeyeddog #rescuedog #pennsylvania #sophiegamand #flowercrown #dogsinflowers

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PEORIA (near Phoenix), ARIZONA: #PitBullFlowerPower Rocky was found wandering alone and confused outside of the Hard Rock Café in Phoenix (hence the name). The café’s staff contacted @azk9rescue and Rocky was saved. He was skinny, dirty, and covered in a purple substance that had been sprayed all over his body. It turned out this was some kind of equine antibiotic spray that had been sprayed after he’d been injured, but never taken to a vet. His owner was apparently into the DIY vetting because he’d also tried to do a home crop job on Rocky’s tail by tying a rubber band on it. I photographed him in November 2015 so he has been waiting for over 3 years now. Rocky is described by the rescue as a “clown dog” with an exuberant outlook on life. Everything he does is a little "extra". Him and his BFF at the rescue, China, are always wrestling and tumbling around the yard. Rocky is very sweet and loves to lick your entire face with kisses. The rescue’s absolute favorite thing about him is when it is windy it catches his ears, blowing them straight up in the air. He loves to hike and run and would be best with older kids and female dogs. Local shelters are overwhelmed with pit bulls and often offering free adoptions, so this rescue is struggling to find local adopters. But they have many amazing dogs who have been waiting for years now. Please consider them! For more info, visit www.azk9.org or email [email protected] to set up a meet-and-greet. #LostPawsRocky . #adoptdontshop #photographysaveslives #flowercrown #pitbullflowerpower #sophiegamand #flowerdog

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4 years ago today, I shared my first #PitBullFlowerPower portrait (this particular one, Cali from @nyanimalrescue). I wasn't sure it was a good idea, I wasn't sure it was good enough either. I had no idea the journey that would ensue. I am grateful for my old self, back then, who decided to take a chance on that slightly crazy idea (putting flower crowns on dogs I had never met before and who scared me?! What could go wrong!!!). It's been incredible witnessing this project grow wings, save lives, change mine, and transform the world a little. To all the creatives out there who are in a rut (including me! hahaha): trust your instincts and commit to your art, even if it's just for one day, one painting, one image. Nothing happens to those who don't "do". We all have it in us to create great things and become successful. There isn't just one path for everyone. There are millions of paths, but you will only find yours if you take the first step. To all the people out there who are trying to help homeless animals, or fight for a cause dear to their hearts: don't give up! Just like anyone else, I started with 1 like, and for years, I thought I would never make a difference. The only thing I could truly control was my commitment to this project, my mission, my vision. Don't give up. Commit. . #pitbullflowerpower #sophiegamand #commit #dogrescue #photographysaveslives #pitbull #pitbulladvocate #flowercrown

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA: How gorgeous is Asia? Swipe for ears!! What you can’t see on her #PitBullFlowerPower portrait are her amazing ears! This beautiful pup was saved from the euthanasia list at the shelter by @azk9rescue (she ended up there for “fear”). We think she was most probably a family pet before ending up in the shelter system. I photographed her in November 2015 so she has been waiting for over 3 years now. Asia is very well behaved and knows basic commands. She is wonderful, crate-trained, walks well on a leash and is playful. She loves playing with toys and her people but would prefer to be an only pet. She also loves to swim in the kitty pools (needs a life vest for big pools) and her favorite game is fetch. She will keep the same ball for months without chewing it up and loves to take it with her everywhere. Asia is a lover! For more info, visit www.azk9.org or email [email protected] to set up a meet-and-greet. #LostPawsAsia . #pitbullflowerpower #adoptdontshop #photographysaveslives

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HOLLYWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA: #PitBullFlowerPower Minnie and her friends need our help! This gorgeous girl has been waiting at @halliehillanimalsanctuary for almost 4 years. She and a couple other dogs need expensive orthopedic surgeries. The team at Hallie Hill decided to challenge themselves and on Saturday August 25th they will swim for donations! You can sponsor laps, or simply donate any amount you wish. So far they are a bit above halfway to the $10K they are trying to raise. Please consider donating something if you can! Let’s give them a boost! . Hallie Hill is a beautiful shelter and sanctuary I visited a year ago. They take in lots of difficult cases, dogs who have been abandoned, feral dogs, dogs who have only known life outdoor, dogs who were rescued by others who gave up on them (like Minnie who was rescued in New York actually!). Hallie Hill is the last chance for many of these unwanted, unclaimed babies. They never give up on their animals, to the point where they’ve even created a beautiful cemetery on their property, for all the animals that pass away while in their custody. Some of their dogs have been waiting for years, like Minnie. The commitment these people have for their animals is beautiful. This place is one in a million and they need our support! To donate, visit: halliehill.com/laps-for-love (I am adding the link in my story and bio). Email [email protected] for more info about the fundraiser or to inquire about their doggies, including Minnie. . #pitbullflowerpower #pawitforward

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