OK, first off, let's just get it out up front... yes, Dudley is a pitbull. A lot of people have strong opinions about this breed. When I volunteered at one of the local no-kill animal shelters, I saw firsthand that the two disproportionately represented dogs were chihuahuas and pitbulls. Any animal that doesn't have a home saddens me. Secondly, I am very fond of Dudley and his family.

Dudley is cream and tan; he is mighty strong; he is super sweet; and he loves his daddies. My next-door neighbors Dustin and Chris adopted Dudley late last year. He has quickly become the love of their lives and I'm pretty sure they are the loves of his life. They are actually ridiculously in love, the three of them.

Chris comes home from work first, usually, and he immediately takes Mr. D out for a walk. Honestly, these two guys just beam with pride when they're out with Dudley. 

The boys had a party not too long ago and Dudley -- who I saw smile for the first time that day -- was in the front yard while the party was in the back. After a while, the guys brought Dudley to the back yard -- but Chris forgot to walk Dudley first. So Dudley relieved himself on the full-length skirt of one of the guests. Chris and Dustin were mortified. But everyone else thought it was pretty darn funny, including the woman who was the recipient of Dudley's waterworks. She just walked into the shallow end of the pool, rinsed her skirt off, and continued to enjoy the party.

I photographed Dudley recently and he was such a beautiful, gentle soul. His eyes exude sensitivity and intelligence. There is a "there there." He is very special. Some may see a pitbull; I see a handsome dog who was rescued from a tough life and given a great one. I see two men who love this dog more than they ever thought they could love an animal. I see a happy family.