A devoted yoga practitioner, photographer Robert Sturman is thought for his portraits of this historical follow – whether or not it’s yogis perched on rocks surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, African orphans in Kenya, San Quentin Jail inmates, U.S. veterans or breast most cancers survivors. His lovely work tells human tales that bridge completely different folks from all walks of life.
However after he adopted his canine, Otis, he added a brand new topic to his work and humanitarian efforts: laboratory canine rescue.
The Beagle Freedom Venture rescues canines from animal testing
Otis was rescued by Beagle Freedom Venture, the world’s main group for rescuing and rehoming animals utilized in experimental analysis. Though Otis appears to be like like a Beagle, he’s not – he’s an English American Coonhound.
“He’s about 3 times the dimensions and has a really completely different temperament than the Beagles I’ve recognized,” Robert says.
Robert was instructed by Beagle Freedom Venture that Otis is a miracle canine. “It’s remarkable for a canine who has been by means of what he went by means of to haven’t been euthanized,” he says.
Elevating consciousness to cease animal testing
With that information, Robert grew to become impressed to boost consciousness about animal lab testing with Otis.
“On his social media, which is devoted to elevating consciousness, we all the time credit score @BeagleFreedom for saving his life,” he says. “We additionally all the time point out an app known as @crueltycutter, which was developed by Beagle Freedom. It lets you scan any family merchandise to see if it was examined on animals like Otis. Folks wish to understand how they may help. This is step one.”
Robert primarily makes use of his cellphone digicam to seize on a regular basis life with Otis. “I share our life collectively in hopes that individuals will join with him and start to place a face to those animals who’re subjected to horrific experimentation in laboratories,” he says.
Otis has develop into a loyal and grateful ambassador to the mission.
Residing the great life after laboratory rescue
Otis now spends his days hanging out with Robert. When Robert is in his studio, Otis rests, runs across the yard, chases squirrels, lies within the solar and performs with toys.
“He’s very relaxed in his kingdom,” Robert says. “We play lots of reggae and he does yoga persistently – I go away a mat out for him on the deck, and he does lots of downward canine poses. That has to really feel so good, coming from life in a small cage. As a yoga photographer, it was fairly cool after I noticed how a lot yoga he did – and the way lovely his follow is.”
Otis is clearly having fun with the great life. He loves automobile rides and going to quiet seashores for walks and splashing alongside the shore.
“There’s a lot pleasure within this man in spite of everything he’s been by means of,” Robert says. “His loyalty is like nothing I’ve ever skilled with a canine. It’s very particular. “This dude and I are buds for all times.”
Study extra about Robert and his work on Instagram @robertsturman and Fb @Artist.Photografia.
You may comply with Otis’ adventures on Instagram @otisthehandsomehound.
