Pit Bulls & Parolees: New Orleans, New City, New Photo Shoot

 

Timing is everything. The last shoot of the season we went to New Orleans for Pitbulls & Paroles. Tia Torres recently moved Villa Lobos from California to New Orleans and end of August seemed liked a great time to get new photos in the new city.

Our shoot was schedule for Aug. 21. This time we were shooting alongside of the TV production crew. It’s always nice when the Photo stills world can come together with the TV production world. The schedule was set and we were going to shoot in four locations, a very ambitious schedule. Each location would feature different cast members.  

The first location was a beautiful city park filled with iconic Live Oak trees where we’d shoot with Tia’s daughters, Tania and Mariah, and their dogs.

The famous Lafayette cemetery was our second location. We shot with Tia’s twin sons Kanani and Keli’i and two of their dogs.

Our third location was a neighborhood in the 9th ward. Tia was the featured talent along with a couple of her recently rescued dogs and some of the parolees who help raise them. The neighbors recognized Tia and were so excited to see us shooting!  The production company ended up asking some of the locals to be a part of the shoot. The energy was great.

This helped us get to the last location, the French Quarter. A final group shot of Tia and her family was planned. It was a beautiful location that truly says New Orleans. The cast looked great, a beautiful juxtaposition of the old gothic New Orleans with the tough and heroic cast and pit bulls.

And yes, timing is everything – one week later, Hurricane Isaac hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Glad we didn’t wait!  Take a look at a photo from the shoot. Thanks, Photographer Bob Croslin.

 

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Laura A. is a Photo Producer for Animal Planet.

 

Comments

[Sherri M.]

I just want to let you know that I have the utmost respect for you and your family. What you do for the guys and the dogs is amazing. I am a faithful watcher of your program, my friends and family know not to bother me when your show is on haha! Just wanted to say thanks.

[David]

would love to adopt a pit bull puppy , But we live in NY upstate that is. They are my favorite breed of dog especially the reds these dogs are so misunderstood they are loyal smart and sometimes very helpful And people have to misuse and abuse them like they are trash I would love to help you out and adopt one but the distance probably keeps that from happening. I say puppy because we have a female mixed breed and I don't know how she would react to an older dog she is good about other dogs I brought a toy poodle into the mix that I had when we met and they did fine of course. I would consider an older dog in its early years as I don't want to go thru having to put another dog to sleep thanks for reading love your show you do a wonderful thing for those dogs Dave

[Abner (Abbey) Green]

Dear Tia,
I'm very new to your show on the Animal Planet Channel. I AM a dog lover and have very simuliar beliefs as you do. The last show I saw was the adoption of Creature. Now that story really tugged at this former law officers heart. You are so good for the whole proccess of saving those misjudged animals.
I really liked the part about you hiring former imates and giving them their second or probably third chance to hold down a job. I have a brother who is and was a lifer in our prision system in Georgia. He needed his chance also.
Anyway I felt that I needed to e-mail you to give you my thoughts.. Keep up the great work!! You have a big fan who's falling for you but trying to keep it professional.
With Kind Regards,

[James Baca]

I have so much respect for everything that you do. However, I just watched season 2, episode 6, for the first time, and I could not believe that you blamed the behavior of a pit bull on "bad breeding". I find that comment to be completely hypocritical and irresponsible on your part. What was obvious to me was that the owner was to blame. You also said that there are some dogs that are just not fixable. I also watch Cesar Millan's show, and I find it strange that he can do exactly what you say is not possible. I think that you could really learn a lot from him. Please, think before you make comments like "this dog is aggressive because of bad breeding." The behavior of any dog can always be attributed to "ownership", which can be good or bad. Try to focus not just on rescue, but also on rehabilitation, at which Cesar Millan is a master. There is always room to learn. Keep up the good work, you guys are amazing.

[Deb Thompson]

Dear Tia
I am a faithful fan of yours. Love the work you do. Please give me a addres so I can make a reguolar monthly donation.
Sincerely a "nimal lover".
Deb T

[Kristen Dalton]

Tia and the rest of the family and dogs. i wanted to say thanks you have really inspired me. I never miss a show. Every dog in the world deserves to have a happy home with loving family. You,the family,parolees,and the community really touched my heart. Every time i see you all rescue a loving dog it breaks my heart and tears come to my eyes when i see how the dogs has been mistreated. Everyone there is a hero to me because it takes a loving person to put every minute of there time to help all the dogs. And if i could i would do the same thing. My sister in law has a pitbull named tank and he is like a big baby. When im around he never leaves my lap. There was a newborn baby girl(my neice) and tank is protective of her he loves her like a little sister. He is great with kids. but i want to thank everyone there for everything thats been done, i really look up to you tia. you relly inspire me.

[Aida weber]

I would like to adopt one of your pit bulls I will be moving to destin, Florida by the end of may and I have 3 dogs now, 2 poodles Bella is 11years old tebow is 6 years old and a Rottweiler nala who is 5 months and watching your show it really touch me and would like to adopt a pit bull please advise.
Aida weber

[nathaniel]

I have a red nose pit bull that I rescued a while ago and he is a big fun baby and he is also a big hart dog. I changed every bodies thoughts about pits in Elk heart county with him. But he has dryerscean realy bad and I have tried every thing that the vets has told me to with him and nothing has worked yet. I was hopping that maybe you could give me some add vice about what I could use for him please?

[mary cormier]

I live in texas and received a call for rescuing a lab however I am unable to drive tonew Orleans . the lady that called me is Jennifer at 504-737-0407. can u call her? my name & number is mary cormier at 979-406-0240

[jay]

i would like to suggest a way to train the dogs not to pool like they do i understand that they are a powerful breed but it can be done i did it it takes time ans work everyday if you want you can email me i'll explain thank you

[Kat]

just have 2 say I have watched from the beginning-amazing what your family does= thank-you Tia, hope like h--l your husband comes home!

[peggy powell]

Hey Tia, i hope you read this, i have a five year old pit bull that i rescued, my only problem and concern is that he is not good around dogs his size male or female he dosen't care he wants to fight. But he is great with smaller dogs.

[Denise Buker]

I love the show. I never miss it. My son and his girlfriend have a pitbull mix. His name is Buddy. He is a big baby. My son is in the Navy and they are getting married in July. They are having a rough time finding a place to live because of Buddy. I think that is just wrong . Pit bulls are not bad dogs. it is how they are raised. Hope you will read this and give me some answers. Your fan Denise Buker.

[Christina Pasini]

Well for one I do like watch your show. I kinda scared of pitbulls. But I did buy a pitbull for my roommate for Christmas. But he is o laid back and is a sweet heat. His name is Hutch. His eye color does match his coat color. But I did see on my face book there is a pitbull does not have a name but the dog is in the pound somewhere in Lancaster, CA. And woundering if you can save the dog please help the dog. But I was woundering if I can meet you in person and come see my roommate pitbull. My roommate would love to meet you as well. Im woundering how do we get him to stop peeing and pooping in the apt that we live in? we take him out on a regulary.I would not put our dogs in the bathroom when we are not home. the dogs are tering up the bathroom floor. f you have the time please come and help. We dont have the money to buy the creates for the dogs.
Thank you
Christina

[James]

Hi I am a 12 year old boy from New hampshire I am a big fan and an animal lover I have been all my life and the the story of cheech and chong has touched me and from what cheech has , I lost my 8 year old german shepard named thunder from and I really hope you can save him in fact I am watching the show right now I also hope you guys get to save the animals I have always have had a dog and thanks to the show when my dog died I convinced my parents o get me and my 5 year old sister another dog and Tia has been an insperation to me

[Lisamarie]

I am writing to u say thanku me and my kids watch it show all the time I just rescued a male brendal pit name jasper he was a bait dog with many who said and scares he was on the list to get euthanized he is most gentle loving dog I every had I am already in love with him I feel so good I can give him a great home and a family thanku for inspiring me to safe one dog Lisa perez

[dezi]

i an really young and ur awesome .......ive always wanted a pitbull but im not allowed to ...... i cant do alot but when i get a chance i help dogs even if it means donating money to and animal shelter.........i love ur show and good luck

[Hannah]

I exspire you Tia! I love the programe, i love that you and your family go out and Rescue the dogs what need your help! KEEP up the good work!!! And all the best.

[megan]

hi my name is megan i got a pitbull that has problems and im tryin to help him i rescue him he was abused and starved and i cant get him to listen to me he is scared of people i cant take him to petco it will be to much trauma on him i hope u can see this and help him its not far to him if u could give me advise on how to help him he is a brendal pitbull his 5 years old ive tryed everthing i know i nursed hi back to health thank u if u take the time out to help him hes a great dog

[Jackie Agsten]

First and foremost Tia you and your girls are my HERO!!! I admire your passion for animals. I am watching the show where the dogs are in the woods...what happened to the little black dog that was left? Did anyone ever go out there to get te dog?There is usually a follow up at the end of the show.

[Jeannene Moore]

Love your show and what you do for the Pit Bulls & Parolees.

[TOM]

THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO.(EVERYBODY). HOPING TO BE THERE IN THE FUTURE TO HELP OUT.I WAS WANTING TO GET A UP-DATE ON LUCKY AND BO. BO BEING THE LIFEGUARD, SAVING LUCKY IN THE CANAL.THANKS.

[Karley Schram]

I am also 11 years old so it will be a while before I help or adopt. I wish the best of you and everything you own.

[Karley Schram]

Hi Tia. I love what you do with these beloved Pitbulls. I wondered how Alien was doing after he got adopted. I have seen imbeded harnesses,and collers. There was a dog that had an imbeded harness so deep that it had to be put down. It was devistating and it was just a year old. I would love to adopt or help your Pitbulls anyday, but I live in Wisconsin and your sanctuary is in New Orleans. My parents are not dog people so we don't have any pets. I have asked for one before and I haven't changed their mind, but I have a cousin that changed her moms mind and she got a Cockapoo puppy named Izzy. I promise when I get older I will help and I will adopt your Pitbulls one after another. I hope everything goes well with you,your family, and your pits.

[Sharon]

What happened to the pit bull that has cancer and only had 30 days to live?