Today we’d like to introduce you to John Truitt.
Hi John, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey in the dog world as a business owner started in 2014 with my micro Bully, Queen Califia, but I’ve been an animal lover my entire life. My journey has come with many gains and losses, which has changed the trajectory of my path and shaped how I interact with my dog today. I wanted to bond with my dog by doing the things we both enjoyed, which has played a major role in everything that has to do with dogs in my life. My love for dogs has allowed me to travel the world and meet people from different walks of life with one special thing in common— our love for dogs! My love for dogs was also why I created dog-friendly events for other dog lovers to enjoy with their four-legged friends. Queen Califia was a show-stopper and conversation-starter! We were set to take on the dog world in full force! We were doing interviews, traveling, and fine-tuning the goals that we wanted to accomplish. Everything was finally starting to make sense. Unfortunately, I suffered a major loss in her passing. With the loss of Queen, I started to become more aware of her respiratory issues, which contributed to her death. I began advocating against unethical dog breeding practices to honor her legacy. Queen Califia opened my mind, body, and soul to a new way of caring for my dogs. I knew the health of my next dog would be a priority for me.
IBA is an English Bulldog I got in 2020 during the pandemic. I was set on having a family I could call my own, so getting a new companion and family dog was the goal. IBA is a professional dog artist and model with a growing portfolio of pretty “pawsome” things. In 2021, she was featured in her first art exhibition called “Broken Chains,” in 2022, she won the Barking Beauty Pageant here in Austin, TX. IBA and I are the creators of the Fur_casso Painting Experience, which is a painting experience that explores the creativity of a dog’s mind. A brand new painting class also came with creating a new painting technique for humans and their dogs. We coined this new painting technique, “Abstract Canine Expressionism or ACE.”
IBA came to me at a time when I needed her the most. My interest in the pet industry has pivoted tremendously since my start in 2006, from dog breeding and showing dogs in the ring to owning a high-fashion dog model/artist. Recently, my partner Antoineka Norman and I started TheDogBFF Barkerie, which we own and operate with our two children, Jacen and Juri. Antoineka actually helped me get my very first Bully, Fendi in 2008 and has been on this marathon with me ever since. We started the dog bakery when we started paying closer attention to what we feed our dog, IBA. TheDogBFF Barkerie’s goal is to provide healthy yet nutritious human-grade dog treats! We focus on using simple ingredients you can pronounce without preservatives since they add little to no nutritional value to your dog’s diet.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
One of the challenges I have endured in my journey in the dog industry has been losing dogs I love dearly and figuring out how to move forward after each loss. Although the road has been bumpy, the detours have sharpened my vision.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My dog and I are artists. In 2020, we created a painting class for dogs and their owners called the Fur_casso Painting Experience. Fur_casso is the first painting experience of its kind that explores the creativity of a dog’s mind. The world’s first painting class explicitly curated for dogs, hosted by dogs, with classical paintings as the muse. Fun for the dogs and their owners (ages 3+). Perfect for the entire family outing or an out-of-the-box date. Experience a painting class like you have never experienced before. The work of arts in each session is inspired by world-renowned artist Picasso and yours for the taking. We also created our painting technique, known to the world as “Abstract Canine Expressionism or ACE.” ACE is a ritualistic style of painting inspired by the 1940s movement of abstract expressionism in NYC. It involves steady motion between the dog artist and their owner(s), which resembles a transit dance. What we’ve seen some dogs do is quite impressive. It’s easy to become entranced by your dog’s ability to maneuver on the canvas like a true artist. ACE involves tail whips, Eskimo kisses, paw prints, and teamwork! In a sense, your dog becomes your “paintbrush.”
THE PROCESS
Canvases are placed on the ground so that the “dog artists” can attack the canvas from all angles with no limitations, like a Gladiator entering the theater ready for battle. We provide the space, the muse, the art supplies, and libations for all! I am proud to lead by example in the pet world. I’ve been in the pet industry for 13 years, and over the years, I have done endless research and acquired knowledge through my trials and tribulations that have helped me give back to other dog people. Bringing awareness to animal welfare, being active with your dog(s), and responsible pet ownership has become my mission. That’s what I’m most proud of— to be a positive light in the pet industry for pet owners who come from every walk of life. What sets me apart is that all my dog businesses are Black and family-owned.
What matters most to you?
Family matters the most to me. For the most part, family is authentic, natural, and unconditional. In my book, having people around you who understand you and love unconditionally is unmatched. Having trustworthy people around you is a must because they help you stay focused and grounded. For me, building a family-owned business was crucial in establishing my legacy so that we can break generational curses by building generational wealth. I need to be able to provide this for myself and my family.
Pricing:
- •USC (16×20 acrylic on canvas) by Fur_casso, 2022. $100
- •Daisies (16×20 acrylic on canvas) by Fur_casso, 2022. $100
- •Fear of Art (12×16 acrylic, tempera on canvas) by Fur_casso, 2021. $75.
- •What is Ruff (12×16 acrylic, tempera on canvas) by Fur_casso, 2021. $75.
- *Human-grade dog treats starting at $10
Contact Info:
- Website: thedogbffbarkerie.com
- Instagram: @fur_casso
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FURCASSO?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: @TheCollectibulls
Image Credits
Victoria Secret Memories Photography LLC
