Meesha Kauffman leaned forward, tilting her camera toward her 2-year-old Chihuahua, Bruce Wayne, who was sporting a snazzy blue-and-white checked jacket.
“Sit still,” Kauffman said, and he obliged, looking straight at the lens.
It’s clear he loves the camera, and the camera loves him.
The black-and-white pooch (@ipartywithbrucewayne) has amassed more than 40,000 followers on Instagram, all because of Kauffman’s devotion to photographing him. Named for Batman’s secret identity, there are plenty of pictures of Bruce in Batman-themed attire, among other custom outfits.
Now, Kauffman, of Baltimore, is using Bruce’s Instagram fame to raise money for the Maryland SPCA for the 2016 March for the Animals, a 1.5 mile walk-a-thon and festival around Druid Hill Park.
She’s the captain of the Baltimore IG Pups, a team of local pet owners and their dogs who met on Instagram.
Kauffman’s goal was initially to raise $500 for the April 24 event, but the team has raised more than $1,500 as of mid-month.
“It has been amazing. I have met so many friends (on Instagram) who have become real life friends now,” said Kristen Mills of Edgewood, the owner of Pablo the Chihuahua (@therealpablochihuahua).
“And it’s nice to have friends who don’t think we’re crazy,” Mills added with a smile.
Other pack members include Stacey Hearn of Severna Park, whose bulldog Clementine is @_darlin_clementine, and Katy Housen of Baltimore, owner of Bruno (@bmorebrunothebulldog).
“It’s definitely brought us together, with the end goal of helping the SPCA,” Housen said.
The group is definitely an odd mix, especially for a walk-a-thon, Housen added.
“None of these dogs are the most athletic breeds,” she said.
But they are breeds with a loyal following, which their owners say is one reason they’ve become so popular on Instagram.
“Hashtagging helps a lot,” said Hearn, who also has two other dogs, a pug and a puggle. Clementine has almost 7,000 followers and frequently is re-grammed to other bulldog pages, she said.
Responding to messages from fans has also helped, pack members said.
The love from followers is apparent.
“Oh I just LOVE this!!!! Double the cuteness and double awesome shirts moms!” one Instagram user wrote on a recent picture of Bruce Wayne and Pablo posted on Bruce Wayne’s account. Kauffman and Mills were both wearing shirts with pictures of Chihuahuas on them.
Pack members are giving away a backpack full of dog goodies on Instagram as a way to encourage donations. Anyone who makes a $5 donation to the Maryland SPCA and sends a pack member a screen shot of the donation will be entered into a drawing, which will take place after the walk. Visit any of the dog’s Instagram accounts for more details.
The pack has also organized a fundraiser through MoJo’s Morsels, which sells all-natural pet treats. Through April 18, use the promo code BWSCPA for a 5 percent discount, and $1 for every bag purchased will be donated to the Maryland SPCA on behalf of Baltimore IG Pups.
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