www.TheNewBarker.com
14  THE NEW BARKER
Saya Sugarbutt is a micro Pit Bull and 
fashion model. Her human, Dianna 
Correa, is a vet tech who met Saya 
when she came into the emergency 
specialty clinic where she worked in 
Atlanta. Saya had a rectal prolapse and 
was going to be euthanized by her 
owners. Dianna, who had sworn never 
to get another dog, stepped in and 
offered to take Saya. “My dog Tuna had 
just died of cancer. The heartbreak was 
just too much,” said Dianna.  
     Saya was operated on the following 
day. Recovery was a long haul. “She 
had bowel incontinence for a long time 
after surgery,” said Dianna. “Steroids 
and a change in her diet helped very 
much. But, I cried for months, thinking 
I wasn’t doing enough for her.” 
     Almost six years later, Saya has a 
good quality of life and is full of spunk. 
She goes to work with Dianna, and 
especially loves car rides. Saya’s model-
ing career happened purely by chance, 
when Dianna was looking online for a 
doggie bandana, and discovered canine 
fashion shows. They have traveled cross 
country to participate in high-end 
fashion shows, including New York to 
attend the annual The Pet Gala – an 
homage to The Met Gala. 
     Since 2013, designer Anthony 
Rubio has recreated the looks inspired 
by celebrities who attend The Met 
Gala. By 2024, The Pet Gala had 
become a full-scale event featuring a 
24-foot red carpet, live performances, a 
sit-down dinner, and a runway show. It 
was held at the AKC Museum of the 
Dog in New York City. In 2024, Saya 
channeled Shakira in a red gown. 
During The Pet Gala 2026, Saya chan-
neled Cardi B.  
     Saya is not the typical runway dog 
model and startles some people who 
are afraid of Pitties. “It’s upsetting,” said 
Dianna, “Mostly it will be comments 
on social media pages during or after 
the fashion show events. One of my 
goals for doing the shows is to be out 
there with Saya to try to break the 
stereotypical mold people have for dogs 
like her.”  
     Dianna also wants people to be 
aware that the so-called specialty breeds 
like Saya come with a lot of health 
issues, mostly for the way they’ve been 
bred: looks over health.  
     “Priorities are mixed up. People 
will spend $10,000 on buying a 
so-called designer dog, but then 
can’t afford to cover the medical bills 
when the dog becomes sick,” Dianna 
said. She adds that it’s also wise to have 
pet insurance, especially with a 
specialty breed.
The Doggie Wears Prada
During The Pet Gala 2024, Saya dressed in a 
recreation of the dress Shakira wore during 
The Met Gala that same year.  Dress by 
Anthony Rubio. Photograh by Hideki Aono.
Saya is not a fashion snob and prefers the 
comfort of cozy doggie sweatsuits to frilly 
canine couture.  
Follow Saya on Instagram @saya_sugarbutt
As consumers become more aware 
of puppy mills, and Florida munic-
ipalities consider pet retail  
store sales ban ordinances, 
another nefarious trend is 
popping up across Florida. 
Yoga or Pilates with 
puppies. Some of the 
businesses admit they 
are working with multiple 
breeders to supply the puppies for the 
pop-up events. Others are not so forth-
coming with their source of puppies. 
Their marketing methods are similar, 
tagging young influencers on social 
media who then tag their friends.  
      For several years, rescue 
groups and shelters have 
partnered with local 
area businesses to show-
case adoptable dogs and 
cats with yoga events. 
The 
puppy 
mill 
industry 
is 
piggy 
backing on the success of 
the trend.  
      Word to the wise: If there isn’t a 
rescue group or shelter clearly associated 
with the event, please consider what 
your participation is supporting.
realitysoundbites.
Puppy Yoga PSA: Beware
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