Ben Madilynn
Aniram was a touch intimidated when she began caring for her dad’s pit bull Akira years ago. But once she put her in a homemade flower crown, her perspective on the breed changed — and ever since then, she’s worked to shift others’ perceptions, too.
Aniram, 22, now makes outfits for all of her pets, which include black cat Azuki and pit bull Asahi (plus camera-shy cat Ash).
“I like sharing how much it’s helped with the stereotypes,” says content creator Aniram, who shares photos on Instagram at @akirablackpit, @ashandazuki and @asahithepuptato. “I get lots of messages [from people] saying they’re less afraid, or even adopted one of their own.”
Some of Aniram’s colorful bows have been such a hit she started selling them via Instagram (she’s currently sold out). She never intended to be so public with her pets, but once an early post of Akira in that initial flower crown went viral on a pit bull owners’ Facebook page, it was the encouragement she needed to share.
akirablackpit/Instagram
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“When people see her dressed up, they don’t mind that she’s a pit bull,” Aniram shares of Akira. “They see the cute little Crocs and the bows and the dresses.”
Aniram went a step further and trained Akira to be a service dog. “She can do a lot,” Aniram says. “It helps with the stereotype: she is a service dog and she’s also dressed cute!”
Azuki, her black cat, has become another poster child, changing the way people see black cats who are often associated with superstitions and bad luck.
“Azuki is like a mini-Akira,” Aniram says. “She doesn’t care about putting on the outfits.” (On the other hand, “If I dressed Ash, I would not be alive,” Aniram jokes.)
akirablackpit/Instagram
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Outfits aside, Akira is “so lovable,” Aniram says. “If you’re sitting next to her, she’ll come and lay on your lap or try to push your hands so you pat her. She loves to play a lot, too.”
Azuki is equally sweet, Aniram shares. “She’s always there like a shadow when you’re doing something, and she loves following Akira too,” she says.
A pinned post of the pair on Akira’s Instagram feed has nearly 2 million likes; though Aniram never expected such a following, she couldn’t be happier to see it.
“I like sharing,” she says, “and seeing how much it helps change the stigma.”
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