Photographer Takes Beautiful Pictures of Black Dogs and Cats to Prove They Shouldn't Be Last on the List for Adoption
Black dogs and cats often get overlooked in shelters, even when they have just as much love to give as any other pet.
That bias can come from old superstitions, unfair assumptions about how they look in photos, or the idea that darker-coated animals are less striking than their lighter-colored counterparts.
Photographer Emma O'Brien decided to challenge that with a series of beautiful portraits that show black pets at their best, and every one of them has since found a home.
#1 Merlin
Lost his eye while on a secret mission for MI5. He keeps requesting a monetary allowance for a diamond-encrusted patch but keeps being denied. He has put in an order with Cartier and plans to expense it.
#2 Echo
Small. Cute. A master manipulator.
#3 Guinness
Judgmental as all hell. Found living under a trailer, but is in no way trashy.
A few of these portraits make the case instantly.
#4 Merlin
An enthusiastic advocate for the legalization of The Nip. He might have had some before the shoot.
#5 Gabriel
Insisted on a headshot only because he's still trying to get bikini-ready.
#6 Truffle
Part of an 'oopsie' litter but insists that he's full pedigree. He still thinks this shoot was for Country Life magazine.
#7 Jessie
As crazy as she looks. She once used a set of toddlers as skittles. Claims it was a total accident.
Black pets can be every bit as photogenic as the rest.
#8 Maya the Mexican
Won't make eye contact until you've downed four tequila shots and said 'Xoloitzcuintli' correctly. Good luck.
#9 Casper
Likes the finer things in life. Insists on silk sheets. Secretly enjoys wearing feather boas.
#10 Mia
Weighs 50 kg and thinks she's a lap dog. She can take out a couch once she breaks into a gentle trot.
#11 Toby
Has a fetish for sitting on velvet chairs. His tongue isn't the only thing he lets hang out.
The lineup keeps getting harder to ignore.
This fluffy orange troublemaker is right up there with the “always up to something strange” antics from the cat mom puzzled by quirky feline antics.
#12 Lena
Full-time retiree. Part-time therapist. She will always share her couch but may fall asleep while you talk.
#13 Red
Yes, that is paint on his ear. Yes, this is his last-ever modeling gig.
#14 Parker
Raised by a cat. Has a full repertoire of witty one-liners. He won't wait to be invited to use them.
#15 Dogg
Pronounced 'D' 'O' 'double G,' as in Snoop. Impossibly cool. A fan of hip hop.
#16 Grace
Only wears Gucci. Anxiously waiting for a Net-A-Porter delivery that's taking forever to arrive.
#17 Arizona
Didn't stop talking throughout the shoot. She also has paint on her ear. Also fired.
#18 Bentley
Reserved at first. Secretly a HUGE Madonna fan. He has all her albums.
#19 Nancy
Slightly needy, a noted snorer. She sheds so much that her mom now dresses like Batman.
#20 Pest-O
Celebrated her tenth birthday just before the shoot. Her official age, however, is four and a half. She's waiting for an appointment with her stylist.
These photos do the talking.
Want more chaos, see the guilty-looking cat and dogs that might make you chuckle. Click for the guilty-looking cat showdown.
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