Let’s be honest: some dogs just have it, and Norman, a two-year-old Clumber Spaniel, has it in spades. That soulful “old man” face, even as a puppy, and a name inspired by one of the most beloved sitcom characters of all time—what’s not to love about this big guy?
I couldn’t have been more excited when Norman’s application came in for his chance to return for a second round of stardom, this time for a feature in Tails of the World: Volume Three, a charitable fundraising book created through a global collaboration of pet photographers, all coming together with a shared goal: to make a positive impact on animals in need. Locally, it raised funds for The Izzie Fund and internationally, the Geelong Animal Welfare Society in Australia.
The Izzie Fund provides financial support to responsible dog owners affording them the opportunity to make the best medical decisions on behalf of their dogs who have been diagnosed with a disease or condition requiring specialized care without the worry of financial burden when there are still medical options recommended and available. After chatting with founder and president Victoria Chester Rose during a past interview for the Companions Collective Podcast and discussing her work with The Izzie Fund, I knew she’d truly appreciate the awareness and support generated through the Tails of the World book project, especially as a newer non-profit.
Norman, already a seasoned pro from his first book appearance in Bark & Gold Photography’s sold-out Tails of the Steel City, which raised $5,755 for Bridge to Home Animal Rescue in 2023, was the perfect candidate for another chapter of giving back—and looking awfully dapper while doing so.
Cheers to Norman
So, who is Norman, exactly? Well, according to his mom Sandy, he’s the dream dog that almost didn’t happen. After saying goodbye to their long-lived Saint Bernards, Sandy and her husband waited five years before considering another dog. During that time, they adopted two Munchkin Minuet cats (side note: how cute are they?), but the call for canine companionship was hard to ignore. After extensive research, Sandy and her husband decided a Clumber Spaniel would be the perfect fit for their family.
“I mentioned a Clumber Spaniel being my ‘dream dog’,” Sandy recalls. Their search led them to Norman’s breeder on Facebook and a post about a male Clumber Spaniel available for placement.
“I immediately messaged him. I was actually in the parking lot of a grocery store getting ready to go shopping when this all happened,” Sandy shares. “When I got home [from the store], he messaged me back and next thing I knew we were heading to Columbus, Ohio to meet them at a dog show to pick up Norman.”
Norm, Is That You?
Why the name Norman? Well, who doesn’t want to shout “Norm!” when their dog walks through the door? The Cheers reference fits his personality to a tee—loyal, friendly, and the kind of dog who seems like he’d be a regular at your favorite neighborhood bar.
“Norman is filled with love and happiness and just wants to share that with everyone he meets,” adds Sandy. “He is my perfect little man.”
One for the Book
For his most recent session, we wandered throughout Schenley Plaza in Oakland, a spot any Pittsburgher or Pitt alum will instantly recognize. I photographed Norman at the Stephen Foster Memorial with its bold red doors, on the porch of the rustic 1800s University of Pittsburgh log cabin, and around the beautiful green space surrounding the William Pitt Union Fitness Center.
Sandy’s love for Norman and his portraits inspired her to select a gorgeous reclaimed wood framed print that complements the previous artwork from her Tails of the Steel City session. An Ambrosia maple frame, featuring a refined fluted inlay, is uniquely crafted from four different pieces of molding, creating a rich, multi-layered look that perfectly pairs with the barnwood rounds from Norman’s first session.
Sandy also picked out a stunning portrait trio with a vegan leatherette cover in Raven Black Vintage. The classy black cover pulls the three images together, giving the whole set a cool, polished look. With three portraits printed on professional-level silk paper that gives the images extra depth and richness, there’s also a honeycomb texture and soft finish to each image that still retains their vibrant colors and details, providing a crisp finish and longevity.
“It makes me happy when I come home and see his artwork from the last session,” says Sandy. “We had an amazing experience for the Tails of the Steel City book project [and] we enjoy supporting rescue organizations….these projects allow us to not only do that but also get some awesome photos and art in the process!”
What’s next for Norman? You’ll have to wait until Tails of the World: Volume Three is released later this fall to see which portrait makes the final cut! Keep an eye out for this old-soul pup supporting a great cause and looking dashing every step of the way.
About the Tails of the World Collective: The Tails of the World Collective, founded by multi-award-winning pet photographer Caitlin J. McColl, is an international group dedicated to producing annual books that celebrate dogs from around the globe while raising funds for animal rescue charities. Since its inception, the collective has published two volumes, featuring over 1,150 dogs and raising more than $95,000 for various rescue organizations, with 100% of session fees and book sale proceeds donated to these causes. The project aims to highlight the joy that dogs bring to our lives through emotive photography, and McColl, who started her own pet photography business in 2010, has authored eight dog-filled books and serves as the president of the collective. Overall, the Tails of the World initiative is part of a larger effort that has raised over $150,000 for animal charities to date.