Happy Tails: Sadie the Collie Mix

It takes a long time for a soul to become this sweet – Sadie

One of my hopes in sharing so many great photography sessions is that it will inspire people to get photos of their pets that will always make them smile.  This session of Sadie the Collie mix from Petcha Photography is exactly the kind I love. 

From Tina:  “Honor sessions are not always about death, they are also about capturing time with a senior pet while they are still that lively soul. While they are the pup you know and love with the personality to match. I try and advise clients not to wait because these sessions are not about just remembering with an album and their ashes; it is about making lasting memories right now when they are still here.”

From Tara:  “Sadie is approximately 12 years old, and she is a Collie, Sheltie, Australian Cattle Dog Mix!  She had only been on Petfinder one day when we found her and adopted her from Orphaned Pets, Inc. in West Caldwell, NJ in December 2007. 

We choose the Collie mix breed because at the time we already had an 11-year-old Collie mix who had just lost her best friend, our other dog (a shepherd mix).  We love how shepherds are loyal, easy to train, intelligent, great with kids, and just absolutely beautiful.

When we rescued Sadie, the family that had surrendered her in Kentucky had named her Sassafras.  We were not thrilled with the name but wanted to use the “S” sound still to make it easier for her to learn a new name. Therefore, we chose Sadie because we loved the name and felt that it fit her. It sounded very royal and beautiful, just like her!  She still responds with a wagging tail if we call her Sassafras.  Her nickname though is Sadie Sue!  She is a Southern Belle!

I’m not sure the impact Sadie has had on our life can be put into words.  She came to us at a time we needed her most but didn’t know it.  We had just lost our Shepherd mix, a dog much like Sadie as far as personality goes.  Our hearts were broken, the loss indescribable. 

Sadie came in and brought tons of love and happiness.  Our hearts mended slowly and grew bigger because of her.  I don’t think I have ever met a dog who is so loving, with such a heart of gold.  I can’t imagine my life without her.  She’s always there to greet me at the door when I get home.   HER goal in life is to make us happy and proud…and every day she succeeds in that.  All she wants in return is a little love, and maybe a belly rub.  Sadie has shown me that simple is the best way to live life. 

Do what makes you happy, like taking a walk!  Rest when you need to and enjoy the fresh air!  To say that she is my best friend doesn’t begin to describe what Sadie means to me.  She is my life, my heart, my love. It is amazing that one puppy can mean so much (And I’m lucky enough to have two pups that I share my life with).

Sadie is a VERY loving, sweet, and loyal dog.  She has such a gentle soul.  She is now a therapy dog and loves going to the library to read with children (Haha! Children do the reading of course).  She absolutely loves all people especially young children.  She loves her “sister” Carly (another five yr old Collie Mix), and she even loves our cats (well 4 out of 5 of them, our male cat is not so nice to Sadie!).  Sadie would love to lay on the couch with you and just enjoy a good belly rub every day!  She is very smart and obedient, although prefers not to do tricks!! Sadie came to us with a luxated patella (dislocated knee)…but she doesn’t let that slow her down.  She loves going on walks and running around the yard chasing Carly.  Sadie and Carly like to watch the chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits in the yard too. 

You can see more of Tina’s work by following Petcha Photography on Facebook.

About Petcha Photography:  Based in Hudson Valley, New York, Tina Quatroni specializes in on-location pet photography.