A Woman Made Her Dogs Teleport To World Landmarks Using Only Her Computer
It’s no secret that during these past few years, spontaneously setting off on a travel adventure hasn’t exactly been the easiest thing to do, when it was possible at all. But Melissa, a photographer and founder of the amazing Bella-Reed Pit Bull Rescue in southeastern Philadelphia, managed to find a way around the global travel restrictions. Through the power of Photoshop, Melissa and her four gorgeous pit bulls — Nova Layne, Bella Blue, Pesto, and Hershey — could travel anywhere, whether it be the shadow of Mount Rushmore, the cafés of Italy, the streets of Paris, or the deserts of Egypt.
By sharing these hilarious photographs, Melissa aimed to not only spread some happiness with thousands of strangers, but also to push back against the harsh and undeserved reputation pit bulls have. One thing is for certain: these dogs, and the adventures they had, will succeed in putting a smile on your face.
Bella, Ayers Rock
First off, we have the beautiful Bella Blue standing in the sunlight next to UNESCO World Heritage, Site Ayers Rock – or Uluru – one of Australia’s most famous destinations and one of the most popular tourist sites in the Land Down Under.
On top of being an instantly recognizable landmark on the Australian horizon, this sandstone rock formation is also a site that is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area. While it is normally visited by over 400,000 people every year, lucky Bella managed to see it without the usual throngs of tourists.
Hershey, Alaska
In stark contrast to the sizzling sun rising behind Bella in the Australian bush, here’s the handsome Hershey catching snowflakes on his tongue in Alaska. Behind him are the jaw-dropping Northern Lights, a phenomenon so many of us would love to witness.
The magical Northern Lights display behind Hershey in this photograph are usually most visible during the month of March. At that time of year, though, the average daily low temperature in Anchorage, Alaska is about 19 degrees Fahrenheit. We hope he packed his snow boots!
Pesto, The North Pole
In keeping with the snowy theme, but a little further north this time, Pesto (an amazing name for an amazing dog) is visiting the icy plains of the North Pole. This is a part of the world not many people can claim to have seen firsthand, though adventure holiday companies have become a growing niche in recent years.
Not many animals, either, have been seen traveling much further than about 82° North, with the exception of Arctic foxes and seals. It looks like there is quite a chill in the air, so we are happy to see Pesto is wrapped up nice and warm.
Six Flags
A little closer to home, and certainly amid less extreme weather, here are all four dogs experiencing the thrills of Six Flags. There are currently 27 Six Flags theme parks across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, so these lucky pups could be visiting any one of them.
This hilarious photo is done so well and manages to look so realistic. Their terrified faces are so similar to ours when we are on a rollercoaster that we could barely even tell this image was photoshopped! What a great memento!
Mount Rushmore
The whole gang are traveling through America together once again, and this time, they’re recreating the majestic Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. From left to right are: Nova Layne, Hershey, Bella Blue, and Pesto. Hershey must not have received the message about sticking out his whole tongue!
From 1927 to 1941, a project was carried out to carve this iconic sculpture into the face of Mount Rushmore, depicting the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Now, this landmark attracts over two million visitors each year.
Bella, Australia
Bella finished her trip to Australia by spending time with some of the native wildlife there. Here she is, a silhouette pictured with the most awe-inspiring backdrop we have ever seen, with three restless kangaroos. What a spectacular and beautiful photograph!
Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia, and are an extremely important aspect of Australian culture, even appearing on their coat of arms and some Australian currency. These amazing animals can be found all across the continent, and it is estimated that Australia is home to over 35 million kangaroos.
Hershey, the Louvre
Hershey has crossed the Atlantic to experience the sights, smells, and sounds of the City of Love – Paris, France. Here he’s posing in front of one of the most famous sites in this beautiful city, the Louvre, which is also the largest art museum in the world.
While the Louvre is home to over 38,000 objects, artifacts, and works dating from prehistory right up to the present day, it is perhaps best known for housing Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Just like the Mona Lisa hanging inside, we can’t quite tell if Hershey is smiling or not!
Hershey, South Africa
Maybe he wasn’t smiling when he saw the queue to enter the Louvre in the previous photograph, but Hershey sure looks happy to see some zebras in Kruger National Park. This park is an unrivalled experience of a lifetime in stunning South Africa.
On a safari trip through Kruger National Park, Hershey would also have seen Africa’s “Big Five:” elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos. It is no surprise he looks so happy to be there, on a true adventure of a lifetime!
Nova Layne, Venice
The regal-looking Nova Layne took some time to visit the City of Canals, the City of Bridges, the City of Masks, the Floating City, or the Queen of the Adriatic. The unique city of Venice, Italy sure has a lot of nicknames!
Here Nova Layne is pictured relaxing on a gondola while an oarsman, or a gondolier, ferries him through the local “streets.” These gondolas are one of Venice’s most famous attractions for the 22-30 million visitors that arrive each year, though, as Nova Layne would have seen, this romantic city has so much more to offer.
Pesto, Joshua Tree National Park
Venice might be a city that is renowned for being built on water, but poor Pesto had to bring some of his own water on his trip to Joshua Tree National Park in California. This protected park is where the ecosystems of the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet.
This park is of course best known for the Joshua Trees that give it its name, which are native to the Mojave Desert. While Pesto is pictured alone in this photograph, at night in this park, nocturnal animals such as coyotes, frogs, bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, along with many other creatures, emerge to roam.
Hershey, the Eiffel Tower
While still in Paris, France, Hershey of course had to take the time to visit yet another one of the city’s most famous and iconic attractions: the Eiffel Tower. This impressive landmark is one of the most easily recognizable sites anywhere in the world.
There are 1,665 steps inside the Eiffel Tower, and also elevators from the ground floor to the top floor. However, it is only possible to climb 674 of the steps up to the second floor, where visitors can then take an elevator the rest of the way. We wonder if Hershey took the time to climb up all those steps, or if he took the elevator the whole way up instead?
Hershey, back at the Eiffel Tower
Hershey was so in awe of the Eiffel Tower that he came back later in the evening to pose with the masterpiece from a different angle, but it seems like some pigeons were not entirely impressed, and decided to photobomb him. Even still, what a beautiful and memorable photo!
Hopefully, Hershey waited around a little while longer until after dark, when the Eiffel Tower is lit up every night by projectors. The gorgeous illuminated display is an unforgettable must-see for all visitors to Paris, even if from a distance.
Nova, Colosseum
Nova surely knew that a trip to Rome, Italy – sometimes called the Eternal City – would not be complete without visiting the Colosseum. Here, he is pictured in front of the impressive remains of this ancient amphitheater, though it looks like the camera timer went off before he was ready!
The Colosseum was originally built to host gladiator contests and other public spectacles. Today, it is one of the iconic symbols of the beautiful city of Rome, and is one of the most visited sites in Europe, serving as a reminder of Ancient Rome’s architectural genius.
Bella, Leaning Tower of Pisa
While Nova was busy in the capital of Italy, Bella headed further north to the city of Pisa, where she had the chance to see the remarkable Leaning Tower of Pisa. This building is known globally due to its unusual lean, as a result of unstable foundations.
Bella doesn’t appear too interested in the Tower, however, which luckily won’t topple over, as its center of gravity has been kept within its base. She looks far more taken by the gorgeous slice of pizza being dangled in front of her!
Hershey, Mount Fuji
Here, we can see Hershey photographed with the stunning slopes of Mount Fuji, Japan, in the background, which we can recognize from its frequent appearance in the art and photography of Japan. Like so many of the other sites the dogs have traveled to see, this mountain is a cultural icon.
Mount Fuji is considered one of the “Three Holy Mountains” in Japan. it is also the country’s highest mountain, at 12,389.2 feet tall. We sure hope Hershey brought some hiking boots if he planned to set out on that tough climb.
Nova, Mount Everest
If Mount Fuji sounded enormous at 12, 389.2 feet, then we’re not too sure how to describe the world’s tallest mountain above sea level, Mount Everest, at a staggering 29,031.7 feet tall! Here, we can see Nova hiking up the snow-covered slopes.
Only a few thousand people have ever managed to scale Mount Everest, which is part of the Himalayan Mountain range, but Nova Layne might just be the very first pit bull to make it all the way to the peak!
Pesto, Hawaii
We think that this is a truly gorgeous photo of the handsome Pesto! He is pictured in Haleakala National Park, located on the island of Maui in Hawaii, just as the breathtaking sun sets on the horizon behind, and below, him.
This national park takes its name from the dormant volcano, Haleakala, within its boundaries, which has not erupted since approximately the 16th century. The park also contains an area of rainforest, and is a must-see for anyone who visits the island of Maui.
Pesto, The Dead Sea
While Nova was busy climbing to the highest place on Earth, Pesto decided to explore the lowest place on Earth instead. Here, he is pictured swimming in the Dead Sea, which is a salt lake bordered by Jordan and Israel.
The lake’s surface is 1,412 feet below sea level, making the shores of the Dead Sea the lowest land-based place on Earth. Because of the high quantities of salt in the water, Pesto would have definitely felt like he was floating rather than swimming.
Bella, Egypt
On another lovely sunny day, Bella visited the fascinating pyramids of Egypt, where she also managed to meet some new friends. The pyramid behind her is one of the impressive structures built several thousand years ago as tombs for the pharaohs.
The camel that she is photographed looking up at in awe, and perhaps also curiosity, would be far more comfortable in the sweltering desert heat than Bella would, as they are especially suited to such a climate. We hope Bella had plenty of water.
Bella, Grand Canyon
Bella must really enjoy spending time in the desert, as here she is photographed with another famous desert landscape as her backdrop: the Grand Canyon, Arizona. This steep canyon was carved out by the waters of the Colorado River over the course of millions of years.
From such a high spot, Bella would have an amazing view of the surrounding land on a nice clear day. And it looks like she managed to avoid the crowds of tourists, too. The Grand Canyon National Park draws in approximately five million visitors every year.
Bella, Aruba
Bella yet again visited another location with a desert climate, though it looks like she finally took some time to unwind and stretch out next to the sea on a beach in Aruba, a small but gorgeous island in the Caribbean Sea.
While Aruba is not extremely highly populated, its main industry is tourism, and there are many luxury hotels and resorts across the island. Most of the visitors to the island would be like Bella, traveling from North America. We can’t help but feel jealous of Bella getting to splash around in such crystal-clear water!
Pesto, Bora Bora
Keeping in line with the luxury beach-holiday theme set by Bella, Pesto jetted off for one of the most paradise-like islands in the world, Bora Bora. This island is well-known as a popular luxury destination, and for activities such as scuba diving.
Pesto is lucky to be staying in one of the iconic guest bungalows that are perched over the clear seawater on stilts. We wish we could look as cool and chilled out as he does in the awesome shades he is photographed wearing here!
Nova, Athens
Nova seems to prefer city break,s and cultural, historical trips rather than beach holidays like his siblings. Here, he is taking a selfie in the Acropolis, Athens. The Acropolis is a collection of ancient buildings that sit atop a hill overlooking Athens, and the most famous of the buildings in the Acropolis is the Parthenon.
Athens is sometimes called the “birthplace of democracy,” and was once the “cradle of Western civilization.” It is a place that was known for its philosophy, art, and politics. Now, it is a popular destination for those like Nova who are interested in the legacy of Classical Greece.
Nova, Brandenburg Gate
Visiting another important historical site in Europe, Nova is pictured looking rather serious here in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. This impressive monument was built in the 18th century by the Prussian king, and is one of the most well-known landmarks in Germany.
Many historical events have taken place with the Brandenburg Gate as a backdrop, and it was famously visited by American presidents such as John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, who all made important speeches where Nova is pictured standing.
Hershey, Paris
While still strolling through the enchanting streets of Paris, France, Hershey decided to stop and pose for a photograph with the Arc de Triomphe. This quite remarkable monument stands at the end of a famous street called the Champs Elysees.
The Arc de Triomphe was built to honor those who fought during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Hershey was very lucky to take this photograph without cars driving past, as the roundabout on which the Arc sits is notoriously hectic.
Pesto, Pearl Harbor
Just as Hershey visited the memorial to those who died during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, Pesto took the time to pay his respects to those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii.
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial pays tribute to those who died during the attack at Pearl Harbor, one of the most pivotal moments in both American and world history, as it led to the United States’ entry into the Second World War.
Bella, Ireland
On the other side of the ocean, Bella took the time to visit the Cliffs of Moher on the coast of County Clare, Ireland. This famous and stunning landscape is visited by thousands of people every year. We’re definitely jealous of Bella here!
The Cliffs of Moher might look quite familiar, as these ragged cliffs have featured in popular movies such as The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Bella looks like she really enjoyed the calm Irish atmosphere around her!
Nova, Machu Picchu
Yet another significant historical and cultural attraction for Nova, who is photographed here with the 15th century Incan citadel Machu Picchu in southern Peru. Machu Picchu is one of the most famous landmarks anywhere in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Due to the popularity of Machu Picchu for tourists, the government of Peru has taken measures to reduce the impact of the heavy tourism on the site, so as to prevent damage to such an important historical, cultural, and natural location.
Bella, New York City
Not even the rainy weather seems to stop Bella from posing for a photograph. Here she is in Times Square in New York City, surrounded by the bright billboards and taxis that Times Square is renowned for. We think she deserves her own billboard!
This bustling area in Manhattan is visited by approximately 50 million people annually. Times Square is sometimes referred to as the “Crossroads of the World,” and it is a major entertainment center, home to popular commercial stores and Broadway theaters.
Pesto, Seattle
Here we can see an amazing selfie “taken” by Pesto beneath the Space Needle Skyscraper in Seattle, Washington. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the tower’s futuristic design was inspired by the idea that the fair needed a structure to symbolize the aspirations of the so called Space Age.
This enormous structure is 605 feet tall, so poor Pesto is rather tiny in comparison next to this towering site. He might need to work on his selfie-taking skills, as he looks a little bit confused by how the camera works!
Bella, Big Ben
Here, we have a photograph of Bella with the iconic Big Ben clock tower behind her in London, England. Big Ben is a British symbol recognized all over the world, and is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom.
Bella looks adorable with her gorgeous brown eyes in this photograph, and the evening sky overhead makes this picture truly enchanting. Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster are located in a very busy area of London, so we’re sure she had lots to see and do on this trip!
Bella, Tower of London
As it turns out, Bella did have a busy time in London! Here she is photographed with a guard outside the Tower of London. Despite her super-cool sunglasses, this particular guardsman would not pay her any attention, as they have to keep their focus at all times.
The official ceremonial guards at the Tower of London, which has been an important historical site throughout British history, are known as Beefeaters or, more formally, Yeomen Warders. We are sure Bella thought his dashing uniform was very fancy indeed.
Bella, Hotel in London
Tired after a long day of sight-seeing, Bella rented out a hotel room with a fabulous view of the Tower of London, which she visited in the previous photograph. She was exhausted, so she had to catch up on some beauty sleep before continuing her adventures.
The Tower of London that can be seen outside the hotel window is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, as Bella can now tell you, was built on the banks of the River Thames nearly a millennium ago by William the Conqueror.
Pesto, Holland
Despite his beautiful surroundings, it seems Pesto might have dozed off during his trip around Holland. Or maybe he is taking in the fresh air. The gorgeous and iconic red windmill in the field behind him is one of the 1000 windmills in Holland.
The most famous Dutch windmills are the nineteen windmills located in Kinderdijk, South Holland. Kinderdijk is another renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1740, and since opening in 2019, the new visitors center has welcomed thousands of visitors, including Pesto!
Pesto, Barcelona
Traveling further south from Holland through Europe, Pesto is pictured here in the beautiful city of Barcelona on the northeastern Spanish coast. With the city as his background, Pesto’s snazzy red sunglasses really make this photo look complete! He is too cool.
Much of Barcelona’s unique architecture is due to the work of the architect Antoni Gaudi. His buildings can be seen throughout the city. His most famous work, the Sagrada Familia, has been under construction since 1882, and is still not yet complete!
Pesto, Cathedral Cove
Pesto is photographed here in Cathedral Cove, New Zealand, where this remarkable and naturally formed archway presents a photo opportunity that cannot be missed. The beautiful crystal-blue sea and white sandy beach behind him looks like a perfect spot to relax.
One of the most popular ways to see Cathedral Cove is to kayak there. This is because kayaking offers visitors the best views of the beach and the splendor of the surrounding area in what looks like a corner of paradise.
Bella, Table Mountain
With another picturesque beach serving as the backdrop, here we have Bella wearing an hilarious, and beautiful, flower garland on her head. In the distance, we get an incredible view of Table Mountain, a flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town, South Africa.
If Bella wanted to ascend to the top of Table Mountain, she would have two options: by hiking up, or by using the cableway. Given that this mountain is 3,558 feet tall, it is easy to see which option would sound more appealing!
Bella, Gateway of India
In this remarkably realistic photo, Bella is lying in front of the Gateway of India in the city of Mumbai. This arched monument was built in 1911 using basalt and concrete, and the halls on each side of the arch can hold approximately 600 people.
One of our absolute favorite things about this photograph is the detail, as we can even see Bella’s gorgeous reflection in the rainwater puddle beneath her. She also manages to look especially regal, and serene, in this image. What is on her mind, we wonder?
Nova, Italy
After his gondola ride through the city of Venice, Nova decided to head for the “Pearl among Dolomite Lakes.” or the “Pearl of the Alps,” Lake Braies, in South Tyrol, Italy. Here he is photographed looking very stoic on another boat ride.
The waters of this lake look absolutely stunning, as do the ragged mountains in the background. We can’t help but feel extremely jealous of Nova’s fabulous adventures in this beautiful and serene part of the world. We wish we could have gone along.
Nova, Italy
This definitely has to be one of our favorite photographs of Nova! Pictured at a restaurant on an enchanting street somewhere in Italy, he looks extremely excited to get to try out some of the delicious and enticing local cuisine.
As a country, Italy is famed for its cuisine all across the world. Italian food has a huge fan base on every continent, and from pasta to pizza, there is a food to suit just about everyone – even pit bulls, it seems.
Pesto, Rocky Mountains
Back on his own side of the Atlantic Ocean, Pesto is pictured here looking very animated, and at home, at the top of one of the Rocky Mountains, or the Rockies, which stretch all the way from British Columbia to New Mexico.
Many tourists visit the picturesque parts of the Rocky Mountains each year, just like Pesto. In Canada, there are dozens of Rocky Mountain ski resorts, which attract thousands of visitors to the stunning slopes of this impressive mountain range annually.
Pesto, Diamond Head
Pesto looks adorable in this amazing photo with Diamond Head, Hawaii in the background. Diamond Head is part of the Honolulu Volcanic Series, and it was formed due to a volcanic eruption that occurred a whopping 400,000 to 500,000 years ago.
Diamond Head is considered a United States National Natural Monument and a State Monument. The gorgeous beaches and resorts located nearby make Diamond Head a popular tourist attraction, though part of it is closed off to the general public.
Bella, Canada
Feeling cheeky just like her brother in the previous photograph, Bella decided to stick out her tongue for this hilarious photo opportunity in front of the Peggy’s Cove lighthouse in Nova Scotia, Canada. The cool red shades have made another appearance, and they look just as awesome now as they did when Pesto wore them in Barcelona.
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, constructed in 1915, is one of Nova Scotia’s most famous lighthouses and it is possibly one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. The gorgeous clear sky behind Bella helps to make this a truly iconic and memorable photograph.
Cashew, Canada
This beautiful and very excited dog is Cashew, a previous client of Bella Reed Photography. Here, he is photographed in front of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. That big, gorgeous smile is just contagious! We’re grinning ourselves just looking at him.
Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is situated in the Valley of Ten Peaks. We might recognize the beautiful image from different Windows loading screens and cell phone background photographs. Cashew is very lucky getting to see such natural beauty up close!
Grover, Cambodia
This handsome fellow is another client of Bella Reed Photography by the name of Grover. He was also jealous of the siblings getting to jet off around the world while he was stuck at home, and so here he is photographed by the beautiful ruins in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
There are ruins of many very famous temples in Siem Reap. The most famous and most popular tourist site in Cambodia is the ruins of Angkor Wat, which was built in the 12th century as the state temple of the Khmer Empire.