Welcome to Kathy Cafazzo Photography serving North Central Florida
That's a Wrap!
It's a great feeling to help our local fur babies!
There was one final activity we needed to do to close the book on the 2025 Pooch Playoffs - present a check for $1,200 to Faithful Friends Pet Rescue and Rehoming!
On May 3, we met with Faithful Friends Pet Rescue and Rehoming’s executive director Andrea Reddick, as well as other members of the Faithful Friends team and two Pooch Playoffs participants to officially announce the success of our fundraiser that resulted in lots of help for our local fur babies looking for their forever home.
Big THANK YOU to our 2025 PAWsome sponsors!
- Pinspiration Gainesville
- Shrunk3D Gainesville
- PetParadise Gainesville
- Halo Health
- PetSmart Archer Road
Who’s ready for the 2026 Pooch Playoffs?
PINOT is our 2025 Champion!
The 2025 Pooch Playoffs has come to an end. Our local champion, Pinot, served North Central Florida well in the international lightning round, but came up just short.
Kona was the winner of the 2025 International Pooch Playoffs. Kona, who currently is adoptable, is from Lawrence, Kansas and represented Rosie Fund, a 501(c)(3) that provides resources and education to give senior and harder-to-adopt-dogs a better life. Congratulations to Kona and the Rosie Fund!
Thank you to everyone who participated, voted and followed along.
And Thank You to Our PAWsome Sponsors!
- Pinspiration of Gainesville
- Shrunk3D of Gainesville
- Pet Paradise Gainesville
- Halo Health
- PetSmart ArcherRoad
What is Pooch Playoffs?
March Madness - Pup Style
- To coincide with March Madness (the NCAA Basketball Tournament), 16 fur babies were entered in "The Ulti-Mutt Cutie" bracket-style contest where family and friends (and complete strangers) could vote for their "favorite" pooch in a paw-to-paw match-up on social media.
- Our tournament field was open to 16 pups, so spots were limited and the competition fierce.
- Our winner advances to the international competition!
How does it work?
What
Where
What
For $99 your pup will be entered in a bracket-style competition where 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Faithful Friends Pet Rescue and Rehoming.
Who
Where
Where
In exchange for their donation, each pup receives a photo session, a special gift and a dog and human-friendly sWAG bag with items from local pet-friendly businesses.
They are Family
Our fur babies need to be proudly displayed in our homes!
I have heard too many stories of pets unexpectedly passing away and the owners had insufficient photos to remember them by. These animals are a treasure and they are in our lives for such a short amount of time.
After you have applied, we will call and talk you through the process - from an in-person consultation to your pet portrait session, and finally an ordering appointment where we will narrow down to your best image for the competition and decide on any wall art that you would like for your home.
We had a fantastic experience with Kathy Cafazzo Photography during the Pooch Playoffs! She was incredibly patient—not just with our pup but also with incorporating our kids into the shoot. Kathy was professional yet so friendly, making the entire session enjoyable for everyone.
Jen L.
Interested in supporting Faithful Friends Pet Rescue?
I want to support as a competitor!
If you have a super cute fur baby, we want to see them!
Call or text Kathy at 352.316.4575
Only 16 total spots available, so book soon!
I want to be a PAWsome Sponsor!
If you have a business and would like to support Faithful Friends Pet Rescue and Rehoming through the Pooch Playoffs ...
We are accepting items for the participant sWAG bags, as well as monitary donations for different sponsorship levels.
Reach out to Kathy@kathycafazzophotography.com or call 352.316.4575.
How your donations help
- $10 provides flea & intestinal parasite medication for a cat for 1 month.
- $25 provides flea & heartworm medication for a dog for 1 month.
- $40 will feed a dog for 1 month.
- $50 provides flea & heartworm medication for a dog for 3 months.
- $100 will spay or neuter a cat or dog.
- $250 provides treatment for a heartworm positive dog.
Our 2025 PAWsome Sponsors
Meet the 2025 ComPETitors
Benji
Benji
Benji
Benji, a 4-month-old mixed breed pup, recently adopted his humans who couldn’t resist giving him a permanent home after fostering him through Faithful Friends Pet Rescue & Rehoming. Benji will be competing in the Ruff Region.
Meet Benji
- Likes: Treats, toys and cuddles
- Dislikes: Getting baths
- Superpower: Super sonic barking
- Hobbies: Running around the yard, watching tv on the couch
- Guilty Pleasure: Stealing laundry
- Obsessed with: Playing with his fur siblings
Beso
Benji
Benji
Beso is a 5-year-old lovable mix of different breeds. She is currently searching for a human to adopt, and is accepting applicants through Faithful Friends Pet Rescue and Rehoming. She would love to find her forever home! Beso will be competing in the Ruff Region.
Meet Beso
- Likes: Treats, hugs, cuddling on the couch
- Dislikes: Waiting 2 years and counting for an adoptive home
- Superpower: Patience
- Hobbies: Going for walks and exploring new places
- Guilty Pleasure: Rolling in the dirt right after getting a bath
- Obsessed with: Hanging out with her person
Boca
Benji
Dixie
Boca, a 2-year-old lovable mix of different breeds, is in search of her forever human! Faithful Friends Pet Rescue and Rehoming will know how to contact her to arrange a lovable meet-and-greet! Boca will be competing in the Puparazzi Region.
Meet Boca
- Likes: Affection, attention, engaging with other dogs.
- Dislikes: Being approached too quickly.
- Superpower: His big puppy dog eyes that melt you. Not jumping on new guests as most dogs do!
- Hobbies: Long walks, running around the dog park, and naps.
- Guilty Pleasure: Watching TV while he lays on the couch.
- Obsessed with: A meal immediately after a long walk.
Dixie
Feather
Dixie
Dixie is a 4-year-old Boykin Spaniel. She will be competing in the Ruff Region.
Meet Dixie
- Likes: Treats of any kind.
- Dislikes: Not a fan of puppies!
- Superpower: Sniffing out treats. Her nose is always working.
- Hobbies: Loves to swim and go on the boat.
- Guilty Pleasure: Pup cups
- Obsessed with: Socks and squirrels
Feather
Feather
Feather
Feather is an 8-year-old long haired Chihuahua who found her humans at a local shelter. Feather will be competing in the Pupsicle Region.
Meet Feather
- Likes: To cuddle
- Dislikes: Stranger Danger
- Superpower: Able to leap to tall furniture
- Hobbies: Chasing squirrels when outside
- Guilty Pleasure: Sneaking food
- Obsessed with: Her mom
Foxy
Feather
Feather
Foxy is a 3-year-old Pomsky who found her humans in a shelter out of state. Foxy will be competing in the Pupsicle Region.
Meet Foxy
- Likes: Going for long walks, riding on the boat
- Dislikes: Dog food
- Superpower: She makes everyone fall in love with her
- Hobbies: People watching
- Guilty Pleasure: Eating people food because her momma cooks for her
- Obsessed with: Toys
Latte
Latte
Latte
Latte is a 5-year-old Lab mix who is searching for her forever human through Faithful Friends Pet Rescue & Rehoming. Latte will be competing in the Puparazzi Region.
Meet Latte
- Likes: Cuddles
- Dislikes: Not getting attention
- Superpower: Making you smile
- Hobbies: Napping
- Guilty Pleasure: Carrying her toys around
- Obsessed with: Toys and people
Lucky
Latte
Latte
Lucky was found as a stray so he is estimated to be between 4 and 6 years old, but his humans think he’s a little older. Lucky will be competing in the Pupsicle Region.
Meet Lucky
- Likes: Loves to eat!
- Dislikes: Not a fan of cats.
- Superpower: His speed. He is fast!
- Hobbies: Sleeping. He loves to sleep!
- Guilty Pleasure: Peanut butter and cheese.
- Obsessed with: His mom.
- Nickname: Little Man
Lucy
Latte
Margaret
Lucy is 11 years old and a mix of Pit, Lab, Great Pyrenees and Maremma Sheepdog. She found her human at an adoption event at PetSmart. Lucy will be competing in the Pupsicle Region.
Meet Lucy
- Likes: FOOD, other dogs, her humans, and ice—it's basically crack!
- Dislikes: Beeping sounds and when Mom dares to travel without her.
- Superpower: A built-in meal clock, and fits start exactly one minute past mealtime!
- Hobbies: Dirt road strolls and squirrel surveillance.
- Guilty Pleasure: Morning whipped cream with Mom.
- Obsessed with: Birthdays, every single one is hers!
Margaret
Margaret
Margaret
Margaret is 8 years old and a mix of lovable breeds. She is waiting for her forever human to find her at Faithful Friends Pet Rescue & Rehoming. Margaret will be competing in the Woofles Region.
Meet Margaret
- Likes: Doing anything with my person: cuddling, watching TV, exploring the yard, picking out treats at PetSmart
- Dislikes: Being alone
- Superpower: Ability to super-bond and be the best friend to whoever adopts her
- Hobbies: Lounging in a comfy dog bed or on the couch
- Guilty Pleasure: Following her person to the bathroom
- Obsessed with: The human who she adopts!
Maverick
Margaret
Maverick
Maverick is a 3-year-old Aussie Shepherd - Border Collie mix. He was fostering a family through Faithful Friends when a family wanted him to join their crew. He stayed with those new humans for a brief time but couldn’t get his original foster family out of his head and heart. So he returned to his original family and adopted them forever! Maverick will be competing in the Ruff Region.
Meet Maverick
- Likes: Riding in Grandpa's truck, taking the leash in his mouth when taking his humans for a walk and laying on the beach after standing in the surf.
- Dislikes: Having his toes played with and when mom and dad pack their suitcases for a trip without him.
- Superpower: Being able to slowly sneak his way onto someone's lap and eventually curling up in the smallest of places for snuggles.
- Hobbies: Being a foster brother to both puppies and kittens. When Mom and Dad foster puppies, Maverick teaches his new friends how to play and walk on the leash. When they bring home kitties Maverick uses his body as an adventure park allowing his new foster kittens to cuddle and play all over him.
- Guilty Pleasure: Kongs with peanut butter on the inside, ice cubes and parmesan cheese. When he hears the ice machine running be prepared to pay the ice tax. He will also snap out of a deep sleep as soon as you start shredding parmesan cheese.
- Obsessed with: His mom. Maverick enjoys beating dad to bed and taking his spot in bed right next to mommy. He takes his pillow and his blanket.
Murphy
Margaret
Maverick
Murphy is a Tibetan Spaniel and is 10ish years old. His first human passed away, and he needed a new place to call his own. Murphy will be competing in the Woofles Region.
Meet Murphy
- Likes: Everyone
- Dislikes: Nobody.
- Superpowers: He hasn’t revealed them yet 😉
- Hobbies: Meditating, napping, eating and squirrel watching.
- Guilty Pleasure: Known to sneak a tootsie roll from the cat litter.
- Obsessed with: Nothing
Rogue & Nano
Rogue & Nano
Rogue & Nano
Pit bull mix littermates Rogue and Nano are 4-years-old and found their human in central Florida. While they are “twins” they have very different personalities. Rouge and Nano will be competing together in the Puparazzi Region.
Meet Rogue
Likes: Spending all the time with people & parties, he’s the social butterfly!! He also loves finding mud after a bath!
Dislikes: When his kitten sister Mabel won’t play with him! And additionally when he scares himself with his own farts!
Superpower: winning all the girls over with his adorable eyeliner eyes & giving the biggest kisses.
Hobbies: Beach trips & jumping waves
Guilty Pleasure: Tillamook Cheddar Cheese from his momma’s hometown
Obsessed with: Spending time by his momma’s side in the garden lounging in the sunshine
Meet Nano
Likes: Popcorn & chips (really any crunchy snacks!)
Dislikes: Frolicking in the rain
Superpower: Finding the softest blankets & pillows to sleep on; he’s also the mastermind, and he’s very smart - the trickster of the house!
Hobbies: Hiking Silver Springs (he’s always on the lookout for manatees!)
Guilty Pleasure: Follow his nose!! (To find the tastiest snacks)
Obsessed with: Plush blankets (the coziest ones he can find!). He loves to make a little fort of them and burrow and snuggle in!
Pinot
Rogue & Nano
Rogue & Nano
Pinot is a piebald Miniature Dachshund who will celebrate her 14th birthday this May. She was found abandoned in a backyard before finding her forever humans through Gainesville Pet Rescue when she was 6 months old. Pinot will be competing in the Woofles Region.
Meet Pinot
Likes: Cuddling, Treats, Car Rides
Dislikes: Thunderstorms
Superpower: Being able to burrow and burrito herself with any blanket
Hobbies: Suntanning and using her puppy eyes to get her way
Guilty Pleasure: Climbing on top of a warm laundry pile
Obsessed with: Laying on her humans’ laps and demanding petting
Nicknames: Pinot Pot, Pie Not, Potomus, Princess
Reese
Rogue & Nano
Shiloh
Reese is a 9-month-old Miniature Dachshund who found her humans at JD’s Weiner-Wonderland located in Venice, Florida. Reese will be competing in the Pupsicle Region.
Meet Reese
Likes: Belly rubs, sun bathing and chasing leaves
Dislikes: Her leash, sweaters and sharing the attention with her older brothers
Superpower: Making big sticks little sticks
Hobbies: Dive bombing the cat, disc golf and stealing socks out of the laundry basket
Guilty Pleasure: Ice cubes and “juice” (aka olive oil)
Obsessed with: Her big brother Kota
Shiloh
Shiloh
Shiloh is a 3-year-old Australian Cattle Dog Mix who found her humans at an adoption event held by Faithful Friends Pet Rescue & Rehoming. Shiloh will be competing in the Woofles Region.
Meet Shiloh
Likes: Treats and new toys
Dislikes: Not being the first to get a treat
Superpower: Super-hearing when the treat bag opens
Hobbies: Running around the yard
Guilty Pleasure: Destroying toys
Obsessed with: Personal space
The Bracket
