Tenisha Te’o her dog Chato frequently go to Alton Baker Park during the week, which is where I met up with them and asked if I could use Chato as my subject for my photo project. Tenisha happily agreed and my dad walked around with her while I took pictures. Tenisha adopted Chato, a five year-old Pitbull mix, on Mother’s Day in 2015. When Tenisha and her family were thinking about adopting Chato, they had just lost their dog, Wubbie, to an unexpected illness. When they met Chato, they immediately knew he was for their family. He is a loyal and loving companion to Tenisha and her family and has always been a constant companion and a source of love.
Chato, a five-year-old Pitbull mix, walks into the dog area of Alton Baker Park with his owner Tenisha on Saturday, October 28th, 2017. The off-leash area of the park has been an important addition to the park for over a decade. It provides comfort for both dogs and their owners right across from Autzen Stadium.
Chato sniffs grass to eat at the park on a cold and foggy morning. Tenisha adopted him from the Humane Society in Salem, Oregon two and a half years ago. Chato was picked up by the shelter after an ad was placed on Craigslist about him living outdoors without an owner.
After playing around with another dog at the park, Chato runs through the leaves. Chato is a happy and playful dog. Although he does enjoy running with other dogs, Chato can often be seen either eating grass or running after Tenisha to make sure she’s close by.
Chato simultaneously yawns and stares at a squirrel in the distance at the park on Saturday morning. Chato is a very loving and loyal dog. When he’s not playing with another dog or following Tenisha around, he usually looks for Tenisha just so he can be close to her.
Chato and another dog at the park sniff one another before they start to play. Tenisha notes that sometimes when she lets Chato off his leash at the park, she gets judgmental and confused looks from people due to their preconceived notions about Pitbull-type dogs.
