2020’s Top 10 Most Liked 365 Shelter Dog Photos on Facebook

2020’s Top 10 Most Liked 365 Shelter Dog Photos on Facebook

I am always intrigued by how the general population feels about individual images and/ or photo summaries or accompanying stories. I am equally surprised by which ones made the top 10 as much as I am that none of my favorites made the list. As a photographer, only 1 of these would have made my top 20.  

There are 12 images due to 2 ties. 10 of the 12 are pit bulls and is a sad reminder of how maligned the pit bull breed is. Cities, counties, homeowners associations, insurance agencies and the media unnecessarily discriminate against them. The result is devastating to the breed. The animal shelters and rescues do not have enough resources to combat the overwhelming stigma. 

I wrote a detailed research article on the subject for my newspaper and it was published back in 2012. Unfortunately, not much has improved for pit bulls since. 

Firefighter Rescues Pit Bulls

Here are your top 10 most liked 365 shelter dog photos on my Alison Kirkconnell Photography Facebook page

Number 1: Tie

I am not at all surprised that these 2 are tied for 1st Place. Both are pit bulls, one of my favorite dog breeds. 

The first one is a tragic tale with an all too familiar ending here in the southeastern United States. He was euthanized at the shelter the day after I took this photo. He was one of the 42 pit bulls seized by the York County Sheriff in 2019 during a well publicized dogfighting investigation. The animal shelter is required by law to hold these animals as evidence in a possible court case. Shortly following the dog’s release by the court, he was euthanized at the shelter due to dog aggression issues. 

He was in no way a harm or threat until another dog appeared. This was trained into him likely since he was born. I can’t bear to imagine what he must have been exposed to.

We had a good day. He ran around. He felt the earth under his feet. We played. RIP sweet boy. 

More on this story here:

Day 72

Deputies in SC seize 42 pit bulls during possible dogfighting investigation

Pit bull seized by authorities during a dogfighting investigation in York County, South Carolina
Pit bull seized by authorities during a dogfighting investigation in York County, South Carolina, later euthanized at the shelter for behavioral issues

 

This photo is more technically correct and is on my list to re-edit and composite. This image will eventually find its way into my fine art collection. He appears to be a black mouth cur mix and was a joy to work with.  

Black mouth cur mix dog portrait
Black mouth cur mix dog portrait

Number 2: 

A blue-nosed pit bull: my favorite dog breed. Of all the breeds, this is the one that checks every behavioral box for me. They are kind, cuddly, funny, food driven, sensitive, strong and eager to please. They are also an extremely attractive dog, obviously. 

Female blue nosed pit bull dog portrait
Female blue nosed pit bull dog portrait

Number 3: 

I have no idea what happened to this pit bull. He was a proper size small, absolutely adorable and very sweet. I would like to imagine he went to rescue where he would have been rehabilitated and adopted to the general public. 

Small pit bull animal shelter portrait
Small pit bull animal shelter portrait

Number 4:

Another pit bull favorite that bears the scars of a less than ideal life. She was also very sweet and extremely easy to handle and command. She wore that lily pad and flower like a rock star!

Female pit bull
Female pit bull

Number 5:

This was 1 of 20 pit bulls I photographed in Columbia, South Carolina during the 365 campaign. He is a brindle pit bull.

Brindle pit bull photographed in Columbia, South Carolina
Brindle pit bull photographed in Columbia, South Carolina

Number 6: 

This one is a puppy. Puppies are cute and generally hard to photograph. He was a teenager so it was a bit easier.

Brindle pit bull mix older puppy
Brindle pit bull mix older puppy

Number 7

Some dogs are so easy to work with I barely have time to get off a shutter release before the image is done. This is what I call a one and done. I may have been with him for less than a minute, just long enough to tie on the bandanna, get him in focus and snap the shot. 

This is actually a huge dog. That blue bandanna is the biggest one I’ve ever made. My style of shooting focuses primarily on their faces and eyes.

Black dog animal portrait
Black dog animal portrait

Number 8: 

Pit bull puppy. Puppies are terrorists. Sometimes I joke with my husband that the only reason humans get through the puppy phase is because there may be no cuter creature on earth. 

Pit bull puppy born in an animal shelter
Pit bull puppy born in an animal shelter

Number 9:

Drake, one of the alleged fighting dogs taken by authorities during that dogfighting raid. He is said to be one of the studs. I’ll say. Have a look at him- the heart throb!

Male pit bull seized by authorities during a dogfighting investigation in York County, South Carolina. Animal shelter staff worked for many months to rehabilitate him. His name is Drake.
Male pit bull seized by authorities during a dogfighting investigation in York County, South Carolina. Animal shelter staff worked for many months to rehabilitate him. His name is Drake.

Number 10: Tie

No surprise here- a pair of pit bulls rounding out the top 10. 

Blue nosed pit bull dog portrait photo
Blue nosed pit bull dog portrait photo
Little pit bull meat ball
Little pit bull meat ball

Photos by Alison Kirkconnell