Sensational Sadie

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet Sadie, and she made an immediate impression.

Sadie greeted me right away. No treats, no persuasion, just a polite but confident hello. It is a level of self-assurance I respect.

She was a little unsure when I first brought out the camera, which is not uncommon. It is, after all, a fairly suspicious-looking piece of equipment when you think about it. But it did not take long for Sadie to warm up, and once she did, she started delivering some very solid Canine Steel.

In fact, she warmed up so much that I eventually had to adjust my approach. Every time I got in close, Sadie would make it clear that, while the photos were fine, what she was really interested in was a bit of affection. This led to a strategic switch to a longer lens, less about creative vision, and more about maintaining a safe working distance so the session could continue uninterrupted. That said, I can’t say I minded the occasional break for some quality time.

Like most professional models, Sadie also has opinions about how long a shoot should last.

Among the more composed shots, there was this one frame that felt a little different. Less “Canine Steel,” and more of a quiet suggestion that perhaps we had what we needed, and it might be time to move on to something else. Ideally, something involving pets and or treats. It may not be an image that gets selected for official use, but it might just be my personal favourite.

Sadie is a bright, affectionate dog who clearly enjoys being around people. I am told she is also a fan of snow, including the occasional snow dance, which still feels like something I missed out on.

She was being fostered by Speaking of Dogs Rescue, which continues to do incredible work helping dogs find their furever homes.

If you are thinking about adding a dog to your life, I would encourage you to take a look at the dogs currently in their care at Speaking of Dogs.