Lawrenceville's Walter is top dog in annual contest benefitting shelter pets
Walter is shy.
On the street he walks by people without stopping to interact.
But he might not be able to stay low-key anymore.
His face is about to be recognizable.
The 3-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier is the cover model for the 2022 Biggies Bullies calendar to be released in mid-September.
“He is actually quite shy and nervous around new people,” said Anna Mirzayan of Lawrenceville, who rescued the 3-year-old dog from Pittsburgh-based FurKid Rescue. “When people see him they want to pet him, but he would prefer to keep to himself in his own little bubble.”
Not anymore.
Walter’s image will be front and center because he received the most votes in a contest hosted by professional pet photographer Jessica Wasik of Hopewell, Beaver County. Wasik is owner of Bark & Gold Photography. The next 12 vote-getters photos will be displayed January through December.
There are two calendar sizes for $20 and $25.
“I can’t stop looking at photos of Walter,” said Mirzayan, who purchased a few prints and plans to buy several calendars. “Walter is so handsome. My dad calls him a cover model.”
Before taking any pictures, Wasik talks to the owners about their pets to access a game plan.
“This is Walter’s time to shine,” Wasik said.
His photo was taken at Robin Hill Park in Moon Township. Other backgrounds include Brady Run Park in Beaver, South Park, and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Schenley Plaza, both in Oakland. Wasik does 30-minute and 90-minute sessions.
There were 215 entries of varying breeds: 214 dogs — and one chicken. Ages ranged from puppies to 14 years old.
“Anna told me Walter was a little fearful and timid,” Wasik said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. I think the photos show how happy rescue dogs can be.”
Mirzayan said in addition to Walter’s celebrity status, the real reason she entered him in the contest was to help other animals who need rescued. She plans to frame Walter’s picture and display it next to a painting of her other dog, Rosa, 6, a pit bull-bulldog mix.
The contest raises money for the Pittsburgh-based Biggies Bullies, a non-profit foster home-based rescue founded in 2011 dedicated to rescuing and giving permanent homes to pit bull-type dogs. The rescue educates the public on responsible pet ownership, positive force free training, and the importance of spaying and neutering.
Owners entered a photo along with a $5 entry fee. Votes were then cast at $1 per vote.
Walter earned 1,810 votes.
The fundraising goal is $20,000 to help Biggies Bullies free vaccine clinics, its Hungry Hippos Food Pantry and Freedom Harness Exchange programs.
“When I set our 2021 fundraising goal at $20,000, it felt like an almost unattainable goal and I wondered if we’d actually be able to achieve it,” Wasik said. “But with the support we saw throughout the contest, particularly during those first few weeks from local businesses, the rescue itself — and of course, the entrants and voters — we smashed that goal and did more good for the rescue than I ever imagined possible.”
Wasik plans to host the contest again in January.
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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