John Fabiano, a lifelong dog lover, has always been fascinated by the relationship between dogs and humans. In 2022, he made a life-altering decision to leave his corporate job behind and embark on a unique global adventure. His mission: to document the intricate bonds between dogs and people around the world. So far, Fabiano has traveled to 18 countries, capturing the essence of these relationships through his lens. His journey has taken him to Germany, Greenland, India, Japan, South Africa, and many more places.
Fabiano's passion project, "Wags Around the World," chronicles his experiences with dogs across the globe. He shares these adventures on his Instagram account @WagsAroundTheWorld, where followers can witness his unique perspective on canine-human connections. Accompanying him on many of his adventures is his loyal canine companion, Viola. His girlfriend, Steph, has also joined him on some of these trips, adding a personal touch to his travels.
A photography enthusiast, Fabiano began photographing dogs in 2020 with a high-quality camera. Over the years, he has honed his skills and received recognition for his work. In 2024, he won first place in the documentary category of the Dog Photography Awards for a compelling photo taken during a sled ride in Greenland. This accolade underscores his ability to capture the raw beauty of dogs in their natural environment.
"Dogs, I just let them be dogs. I rarely try and pose them." – John Fabiano
His journey has not been without challenges. Fabiano has visited places like Costa Rica's Territorio de Zaguates, a sanctuary for over 1,800 stray dogs. In India, he spent time at a dog sanctuary founded by former teacher Lya Battle and worked with animal activist Satish Waran in Chennai to photograph street dogs. These experiences have been both eye-opening and inspiring for Fabiano.
“So to see someone making such a massive impact, and doing it at a level that has saved so many dogs, it really was inspiring. And I was just amazed by the work that she (Battle) has done.” – John Fabiano
Despite his love for photography, Fabiano admits he doesn't enjoy photographing people as much. He prefers capturing dogs in their natural state without directing them or making them pose.
“I don’t like to photograph people all that much,” – John Fabiano
“I don’t like telling people what to do, directing them, saying, ‘Go here, go there. Do this.’” – John Fabiano
“Something that I guess I didn’t realize was going to be so impactful on me was the connections with humans I was going to have across the world,” – John Fabiano
Fabiano's travels have also taken him to Australia, where he spent 40 days driving around in a campervan with a fellow dog lover. Together, they met various dogs and their owners, further enriching his understanding of the diverse relationships people have with their furry companions.
“And personally, I’ve always loved rescue dogs. That’s my style of dog. I’ll have rescues my entire life.” – John Fabiano
His journey is marked by both joy and hardship. While witnessing dogs being mistreated was difficult for him, he focused on reaching out to locals dedicated to helping stray dogs in those areas.
“Dogs that were tied up. There’s not much I could really do… I would usually reach out to the people I was with in the areas that were helping stray dogs.” – John Fabiano
Despite running low on funds and considering a return to the corporate world, Fabiano remains committed to documenting the bonds between dogs and humans.
“Because I am bending the entire day… And there’s a lot of running on my end. Trying to just snap on the fly.” – John Fabiano
“There is no blueprint for loving and respecting dogs,” – John Fabiano
He plans to write a book about his adventures, aiming to share his insights and experiences with a broader audience. His passion for rescue dogs drives him forward in this endeavor.
