Snap a picture of your dog for chance to be in Biggies Bullies calendar
Have your furry friend strike a pose for a chance to have his or her picture in a calendar.
The search is on for 13 dogs to be featured in the 2022 Biggies Bullies pet calendar.
The contest begins Monday and is a fundraiser for the organization, which is a nonprofit foster home-based rescue founded in 2011 dedicated to rescuing and rehoming pit bull-type dogs in Pittsburgh. They work to make appropriate matches with families to ensure proper placement.
The rescue works to educate the public on responsible pet ownership, positive force-free training and the importance of spaying and neutering pets.
Biggies Bullies also hosts events such as free vaccine clinics, Hungry Hippos Food Pantry, which provides free pet food, and Freedom Harness Exchange program, a training harness for easy dog walking.
The cost to enter the contest is $5.
Any breed is eligible.
Owners enter online and include a photo and share a story about their pet. People can vote through March 6. The dog with the most votes will be showcased on the cover. The next 12 will be selected randomly for each month.
The 13 animals will receive a session with award-wining photographer Jessica Wasik of Bark & Gold Photography.
“We are grateful to have nine pet-focused businesses supporting this year’s contest with their incredibly generous mini-contest prizes,” said Wasik of Hopewell. “Their contributions, coupled with the support of the Pittsburgh pet community, has been instrumental in making this fundraiser a continued success that gets bigger and better every year.”
This is Wasik’s fifth year donating her time and photography skills to this fundraiser. She will set up a photo shoot for the dog somewhere in Pittsburgh. She said when she met the people at Biggies Bullies, she instantly connected with them.
Wasik specializes in pet photography. She said she aims to find picturesque places to take the photos where the animal will feel at ease.
“Because if the animal is uncomfortable, that will show in the photo,” Wasik said. “You can definitely see it in their disposition if they are fearful, and we don’t want that. We want them to be stress-free.”
The photo sessions will be completed between March and June. The calendar should be available by September. There will be two sizes. The 11-by-14-inch calendar will cost $25 and the 8½-by-11-inch one will cost $20; both will be available on the Bark & Gold Photography website.
The money from entry fees and calendar sales will be donated to Biggies Bullies to help the rescue continue its efforts, Wasik said.
Last year, the fundraiser brought in nearly $13,000.
The money especially helped because the pandemic canceled most in-person events.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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