A devoted yoga practitioner, photographer Robert Sturman is understood 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 stunning work tells human tales that bridge totally different individuals 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 Undertaking rescues canines from animal testing
Otis was rescued by Beagle Freedom Undertaking, the world’s main group for rescuing and rehoming animals utilized in experimental analysis. Though Otis appears like a Beagle, he’s not – he’s an English American Coonhound.
“He’s about 3 times the dimensions and has a really totally different temperament than the Beagles I’ve recognized,” Robert says.
Robert was instructed by Beagle Freedom Undertaking that Otis is a miracle canine. “It’s remarkable for a canine who has been by way of what he went by way of to haven’t been euthanized,” he says.
Elevating consciousness to cease animal testing
With that data, Robert turned impressed to lift 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 permits you to scan any family merchandise to see if it was examined on animals like Otis. Individuals wish to know the way they can assist. This is step one.”
Robert primarily makes use of his telephone digital camera 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 turn into a loyal and grateful ambassador to the mission.
Residing the nice 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 plenty of reggae and he does yoga persistently – I go away a mat out for him on the deck, and he does plenty 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 stunning his follow is.”
Otis is clearly having fun with the nice life. He loves automotive 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 way 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.”
Be taught extra about Robert and his work on Instagram @robertsturman and Fb @Artist.Photografia.
You may comply with Otis’ adventures on Instagram @otisthehandsomehound.