Pit Bull Flower Power

For decades, pit bulls have been demonized by society and portrayed as hellhounds. They have become the most feared, hated, and abused of all companion animals. This unjust reputation has sealed the fate of millions of dogs, who face prejudice around the world and languish in shelters, where they are the most euthanized. In America alone, hundreds of thousands of pit bulls are put to sleep every year.

Since 2014, French photographer Sophie Gamand has been composing portraits of adoptable pit bulls from more than thirty shelters and rescues throughout the United States. Many had been waiting for years for a home. Adorning her models with handmade flower-crowns, Gamand tells each dog's story and celebrates their inherent personality, vulnerability, and individuality. Posted and shared widely on social media, the portraits―at once charming, candid, and deeply affecting―have not only led to hundreds of dogs finding loving, forever homes, but have also spurred efforts to destigmatize an animal whose reputation for violence says more about us than it does the character of the dogs themselves.

Some cities and even entire countries ban pit bulls, while the media persist in associating them with viciousness. This has resulted in pit bulls becoming the most feared, hated, and abused of all companion animals. The unjust reputation of these dogs has led to millions facing prejudice around the world and languishing in shelters, where they are the most euthanized. Hundreds of thousands of pit bulls are put to sleep every year in America alone.

In response to this tragic situation, French photographer Sophie Gamand has been creating a remarkable body of work. Since 2014, she has composed portraits of adoptable pit bulls from more than thirty shelters and rescues across the United States. Many of these dogs had been waiting for years to find a loving home. Gamand adorns her canine models with handmade flower-crowns, and in doing so, she tells the story of each individual dog, celebrating their inherent personality, vulnerability, and individuality.

These portraits, which are charming, candid, and deeply affecting, have been widely shared on social media. The impact has been profound – hundreds of these dogs have found loving, forever homes as a result. Moreover, Gamand's work has helped to spur broader efforts to destigmatize pit bulls, whose reputation for violence says more about human prejudices than the true character of the dogs themselves.

Full of moving, honest, and inspiring stories of individual dogs and their lives (and deaths), Pit Bull Flower Power presents a vivid, beautifully composed cross-section of Gamand's extraordinary work. The book also serves as a testament to the caring people who work in animal rescue, the passion and dedication of those who provide homes for these animals, and the dignity, forbearance, and love of these dogs, who are at the mercy of humans. Through her powerful imagery and storytelling, Gamand has made a significant contribution to challenging the demonization of pit bulls and advocating for their rightful place as beloved companion animals.

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