Vick’s Dogs No More: Jonny Justice and Uba

Posted on 01. Mar, 2010 by Mark in Dogs, Pet Food Express My Mutt, client sneak peeks

One of the highlights of photographing so many beautiful BADRAP pit bulls for My Mutt posters these past few weeks has been getting to know a number of dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels in 2007. Last week I met Jonny Justice and Uba, now both adopted and living in loving homes in San Francisco, along with Jonny’s friend Lily, another pit bull. We went to Crissy field first for some beach shots and then headed back to Jonny’s place.

Let me just say that these guys are a ton of fun to be around. Jonny has near-constant grin and loves to play. He likes his quiet time too, though, and once a month he works with kids as part of Paws for Tale, a program where children gain confidence by reading aloud to dogs like Jonny. Uba seems a bit more reserved at first but has a serious vertical leap (both in and out of the tailgate) and definitely gives Jonny a run for his money (Uba’s mom told me he runs on a special treadmill at home)

Check em’ out and let us know what shots you like for the poster…

Jonny Justice and his megawatt smille

Jonny Justice and his megawatt smile

Uba

Uba

Lily hits the gas

Lily hits the gas

Jonny gets the door

Jonny gets the door (you just know he's got mischief on his mind)

Uba on the beach

Uba on the beach

Just a bit to the right, please

Just a bit to the right, please

Jonnys lookin up

things are lookin' up

Buddies at play

Buddies at play

Flamingos make me smile, too

Flamingos make me smile, too

Methinks someones growing weary of this shoot

Methinks someone's growing weary of this shoot

Youd think theyd pick something scenic for this shot

You'd think they'd pick something more scenic for this

You heard thered be a tailgate party after the shoot, right?

You heard there'd be a tailgate party after the shoot, right?

Buds for life: Uba & Jonny

Buds for life: Uba & Jonny

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98 Responses to “Vick’s Dogs No More: Jonny Justice and Uba”

  1. jim

    02. Mar, 2010

    “Just a bit to the right”, and “things are looking up”

    they say it all

  2. Suzanne

    02. Mar, 2010

    Awesome, beautiful photos! My favorites are the flamingoes, the bridge, and the tailgate party.

  3. Laurie

    02. Mar, 2010

    Flamingos for sure!!
    Tailgating is number 2.
    Johnny at the Door number 3.
    Great shots!!

  4. Julie

    02. Mar, 2010

    Tailgate party, Flamingo’s, and Just to the right, Please.
    These would be my to three, althought it was a tough call.

  5. Lisa

    02. Mar, 2010

    You’d think they’d pick something more scenic for this is my favorite – love the ears in this one!

  6. Pibble

    02. Mar, 2010

    Impossible to choose, but the first one with Jonny’s tongue flapping in the wind really captures a sense of freedom and relaxation. Far from what his previous life was! But they’re all so wonderful!

  7. Julie Birkemeier

    02. Mar, 2010

    Buds for life!! Sooo cute!

  8. Jena

    02. Mar, 2010

    It’s so hard to choose! I love them all.

  9. ghostdog4145@gmail.com

    02. Mar, 2010

    Love them all, but “I love Flamingos too” and “Jonny gets the door” as well as “More scenic than this”. Wags and Licks to all Bully friends. Roxanne & Shadeaux

  10. Dave G.

    02. Mar, 2010

    The last three are great shots. I think it’s important to show the together, fully rehabilitated and happy.

  11. Julie Press

    02. Mar, 2010

    Flamingos for #1..Beautiful shots:)

  12. Sheryl Gamble

    02. Mar, 2010

    I love the first two photos – Uba and Johnny Justice. What beautiful and happy dogs!

  13. EHS

    02. Mar, 2010

    The final pic with their cute little snouts so close together is the winner! You can see how sweet & loving they are!

  14. Joanie C

    02. Mar, 2010

    Flamingos make me smile
    Tailgate Party
    Scenic Route

    They all look gorgeous. WTG!

  15. carolee

    02. Mar, 2010

    The megawatt smile!

  16. Amber

    02. Mar, 2010

    “Just a bit to the right”, “Flamingos”, and “You heard there’d be a tailgate party” are my picks. Great pictures, what a bunch of beautiful dogs!

  17. Star

    02. Mar, 2010

    Tailgate is fabulous..and Just a bit to the right, because
    I love brindles and that’s a sweet moment captured there.

  18. M. A. Mott

    02. Mar, 2010

    Definitely “Flamingos Make Me Smile, Too”!!!

    I love these guys!!! =D

  19. dave

    02. Mar, 2010

    Yup..Tailgate!!!

  20. megan

    02. Mar, 2010

    buds for life !! what gorgeous dogs , great reprasentatives of what was once and what is now on their behalf .

  21. Mimi

    02. Mar, 2010

    Things are looking up, Tailgate and flamingoes… sorry. They’re all so cute that it was really difficult to narrow down to 1.

  22. Shelley

    02. Mar, 2010

    “Buds for Life” says it all for me. All of the pictures are wonderful – Thanks for sharing!

  23. roxann a mills

    03. Mar, 2010

    What brilliant photos! What a fantastic dog photographer!
    Mark, you really capture the spirit of these beautiful dogs.
    wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I’m still smiling

  24. Sandy

    03. Mar, 2010

    My picks are: Tailgate party, Things are looking up and Flamingos. All of them are great! Thanks for sharing.

  25. Lisa

    03. Mar, 2010

    Falmingos #1 – shows their beautiful smiles!!!!!

  26. Mark

    03. Mar, 2010

    Roxann, glad you enjoyed these. To be honest, the dogs do most of the work — I’m just there to capture it. Best job in the world.

  27. Melisa

    03. Mar, 2010

    They are all great, but, for a poster…..I think the tailgait pic is the one.

  28. Gabrina

    03. Mar, 2010

    Buds for life! These are great pictures!

  29. Sue

    03. Mar, 2010

    LOOK HOW HAPPY THEY ARE!
    How sweet!
    I like the Buds for Life and the Flamingo picture (because they both appear to be smiling).

  30. Sherra Swailes

    03. Mar, 2010

    Tailgate, scenic and things are lookin up are my favs! They are such cuties- great shots, too!

  31. Jen

    03. Mar, 2010

    Buds for life and Flamingos. Great pictures, great dogs, great owners!

  32. M. Walker

    03. Mar, 2010

    Send Vick some BEFORE and AFTER pics!!!

  33. Stacie

    03. Mar, 2010

    Please use tilegate party… They are so beautiful. Own a blue pit myself and would never change that in million years….

  34. B.H.

    03. Mar, 2010

    tailgate party!!!!

  35. K Bintrim

    03. Mar, 2010

    1 flamingos
    2 things are looking up
    3 megawatt/tailgate tie..

    Every pic of these amazing dogs are precious, but I’ve seen past pics of Uba that I liked more.

    Like the side by side closeup “see them now” shots. My FAVES!

  36. Amy

    03. Mar, 2010

    The “I like flamingoes, too” and that last one, Jonny Loves Uba, involving a kiss are my favorites for a cover shot. The flopped ears on flamingoes and the obvious, shared enjoyment shows us that these mutilated dogs can bounce back so beautifully. However, in case that baring of the teeth scares potential viewers (my goofball golden retriever’s fangs used to scare people when he was only panting, but goldens don’t have a bad rep) then the kiss Jonny gives Uba out of love may draw more people into their circle. I’m already there. Wonderful pictures, wonderful project.

  37. Roberta

    04. Mar, 2010

    Johnny at the door #1. He looks like he would love to get into some trouble. It is adorable.

    Buds for life #2. They look like kind dogs who just want some companionship and love.

  38. maureen

    05. Mar, 2010

    When I look at these photos, I can’t help but think of their life pre rescue. It’s hard to fathom as it is in such contrast to what I see now. They are so grounded, beautiful, healthy and happy it makes me cry tears of joy.
    Flamingos make me smile…is my choice.

  39. maureen

    05. Mar, 2010

    When I look at these photos, I can’t help but think of their life pre rescue. It’s hard to fathom as it is in such contrast to what I see now. They are so grounded, beautiful, healthy and happy it makes me cry tears of joy.

    Flamingos is my choice.

  40. Suzanne

    06. Mar, 2010

    I love the pictures; the boys look so happy. Love ‘em!

  41. Hope Palais

    08. Mar, 2010

    “Flamingos” and “Buds for Life” So incredibly sweet!!!

  42. Rachel

    11. Mar, 2010

    Megawatt smile is my favorite. I like the Flamingos make me smile too though.

  43. Devyne

    13. Mar, 2010

    i love the Buddies for life pic, shows the sweetness of the breed!! and the door pic!!! so cute

  44. Nicole

    16. Mar, 2010

    Impossible to chose 1 pic, let alone 1 dog over the others… Great shots with some beautiful dogs!

  45. Fayclis

    17. Mar, 2010

    They are ALL great pictures. So happy to see the dogs so happy. Thank God for THAT one judge who decided to give them a chance of a good life.

  46. Laurel Ashley

    20. Mar, 2010

    Johnny Gets The Door
    Just A Bit To The Right
    Flamingoes Make Me Smile
    You Heard There Would Be A Tailgate Party
    were my favorites, in that order.

  47. Kerry

    20. Aug, 2010

    Love “Things are looking up” and “tailgating in the truck”

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Photo Caption Contest: I Don’t Recall - 02. Mar, 2010

    [...] It’s not often when the stars align for a photo contest shot but this week they do for sure. Not only do we have a ripped-straight-from-the-headlines opportunity with the name of the truck in this photo but also two bona fide canine stars. Uba (left) and Jonny Justice (right) are both dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s infamous Bad Newz Kennels in 2007. They’re both now adopted and living in loving homes in Northern California (see more photos) [...]

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