"I just moved here from Florida a year ago, away from my immediate family. I still get really lonely sometimes so I decided to get myself a dog! He's been with me for about five months now, and he helps me with the loneliness and keeps me company."
They say every dog has its day and thanks to photographer, Robert Stoetzel, a few lucky pups in New York City are getting just that.
Every day, on the site Human + Hound, Stoetzel posts one new picture of a pooch/person pair he meets on the street along with a caption that illustrates their unique bond.
“Every human and hound duo really does have a story,” Stoetzel told The Huffington Post. “It’s so interesting to hear how people came to find their dogs and how they’ve changed each others’ lives.”
"My main chick."
Stoetzel is the primary photographer for the online store Dog & Co, for which he shoots a lot of people with their pups. After a while, he began to notice something about the inter-species relationahip:
“It’s amazing how many people say that they don’t like being photographed, and then they love the pictures of themselves with their dogs,” Stoetzel said. “I think people are their truest selves, most relaxed and happiest when they are with their dogs.”
Thus, Human + Hound, a daily visual Scooby Snack that will make you feel as warm and fuzzy as a Pomeranian sitting on your lap, was born.
Stoetzel still remembers his first day on the street, looking for pups to immortalize online.
"I started dressing him up mainly to keep his feet from getting dirty, then he got used to it."
“I was a bit nervous about approaching total strangers and asking to take their photos,” he said. “But even New Yorkers tend to be much friendlier when they are with their dogs. People were excited and enthused about the project. It kept me going.”
Stoetzel leaves his Williamsburg apartment at least two to three times a week and heads all over the city on the hunt for hounds. He even takes his camera out when he runs errands, just in case the perfect pooch comes along.
“My main priorities are people who look like they have a good bond with their dog," he said. “But, of course a really interesting-looking dog always catches my eye.”
Stoetzel’s interest in dogs is more than just capturing man’s best friend with man. He fosters dogs in his spare time and has a dog of his own, a Havanese named Cheeky who he describes as “a diva.”
Although Stoetzel has a heart made of kibble, Human + Hound doesn’t discriminate against other critters. All humans and their nonhuman best friends can be featured on the site, just so long has they have an obvious connection.
“If that best friend happens to be a bird or a monkey or a pig or even an alligator, who am I to judge?”Stoetzel said. “I'm totally willing to go outside the species line, I don't think the dogs will mind that much … unless it's a cat, but even then I'd still do it!”
Scroll for more photos from Human + Hound:
"He is me in dog form."
"He's an 11 year old Australian Shepard and Beagle/Husky mix. We come down to the beach because the sand and the air and the exercise is good for him - it's good for all of us!"
"She loves the snow, she won't walk on the sidewalk. She likes to walk in the snow, check out every footprint, and stick her head in it."
"She comes to the studio every day, and brings a great energy with her to work."
"Bean is my best friend, my boss, my rock. He's the inspiration behind both of our brands & lights up my life everyday with his quirky wiener dog ways."
"He's 11 years old and just got back from Spain and Italy."
"They are very good at eating crab legs on the beach."
"Polo is my best friend because we have the best time together. Anytime I'm down, he picks me up. When I got him, he brought me out of a tough time, and when I brought him out on the street, he started showing people love. All of the sudden, he turned into a therapy dog and now we go to hospitals and try to brighten up cancer patients and childrens' days."
"They're both rescues, and they're awesome. They're both bully breeds breaking the stereotype. They're a good representation of the breed - people wouldn't normally think they'd be at parties and events, but they are and they rock it!"
"He's a little lion."
"These kids crack me up! I can barely get off the ramp before they're on the board and ready to go."
"Gizzy makes for better company than most humans! Even though she's small she's the best adventure partner."
"My parents always had dogs, but he's the first dog that I've had personally. He's the best dog - I love him like a son."
"He was born in Tasmania. He's traveled the world with me and now he's about to celebrate his 11th birthday."
"We're best buds."
"Ghost is 9 months old. I've had him since he was four months - he was never going to be small!"
"He teaches me how to be patient all the time because he's still a baby and we're learning together, and it's really fun."
"His dad does photography, so he gets his photo taken all of the time."
"Major's the gallery greeter. Everyone knows him!"
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