Pooches & Their Pals: Sammie & Brigitte

Welcome to another delightful edition of “Pooches and Their Pals,” where we share heartwarming stories from our four-legged friends and their humans! Today, we’re rolling out the sustainable carpet for Sammie; a curly-haired cutie who’s winning hearts in Doetinchem with her infectious personality and clever antics.

This mini labradoodle proves that the best things come in small packages, and her story is filled with love, laughter, and living life to the fullest. From her creative “gardening” adventures to her neighborhood social butterfly status, Sammie shows us what sustainable living looks like, with a generous dose of cuddles along the way!

Grab your eco-friendly treats and settle in – you’re about to meet the delightful Sammie and her human, Brigitte!

Sammie, can you introduce yourself? What makes you the most delightful Labradoodle girl in Doetinchem?

I’m your girl if you’re looking for a curly-haired bundle of endless enthusiasm! As a one-and-a-half-year-old mini labradoodle, I’m the ultimate mood-maker! During puppy school, I was already the class clown who got everyone giggling. And trust me, I have a special talent for winning people over; even the biggest dog sceptics end up with me on their lap!

I’m a true cuddle queen who loves being with her humans 24/7. The moment I hear the magical “wanna come?”, I’m already at the door! And car rides? Always fun! Within no time, I’m snoozing like a princess in my VIP seat.

And forget about quick walks; with my social skills, there’s always someone to play with or catch up with!

Brigitte, how did Sammie come into your life? Was it love at first sight?

Losing our dog Luna, who was almost 18, left an enormous hole in our hearts. The grief was so intense that we thought: never again. But life had other plans! We immediately said yes when Luna’s best friend needed a holiday sitter. Those days were so special, the energy of having a dog in the house, the walks, the cuddles… I actually didn’t want to let this four-legged friend go! It made me realise how much I had missed sharing life with a dog.

My husband carefully started looking for puppies. It was still too difficult for me, feeling like a betrayal to Luna. But when he came home one day with a photo of a tiny curly puppy, there was an instant connection. My heart skipped a beat, and I knew immediately: this is her!

The name? That came naturally. Luna had one special stuffed toy her entire life named Sammie. As a loving tribute to our Luna, this little pup got the same name. And that’s how Sammie became part of our family, starting a new chapter in our story.

Sammie, what would you change first if you were in charge for a day?

 My life is already pretty pawfect! But if I could change one thing… I’d let my inner landscape architect run free! Currently, I’m only allowed to ‘garden’ under supervision. Because honestly? I have a tiny passion for redesigning the garden, from relocating plants to creating the perfect digging spots! Last summer, they even had to put up fences to contain my artistic expressions. Oopsie! This summer? We’ll see… an artist needs creative freedom!

Sammie, what is your favourite spot in the house, and why?

Wherever my humans are, that’s where you’ll find me! I have cosy spots throughout the house. But my absolute favourite? Crashing dad’s online meetings! I’ve become quite the Teams celebrity.

And from our kitchen island? That’s where I run my neighbourhood watch! Nothing escapes my detective’s nose. In the evenings, I claim my spot on the couch (with a tasty chew treat, of course). Living like royalty!

Sammie, what’s your favourite Pawness product and why?

The Bark Bliss spray is absolutely my favourite! 🌿 This miracle spray makes my coat silky smooth and is 100% natural and cruelty-free. The best part? It helps postpone those pesky baths (not really my thing). One spritz, and I smell divine!

And another favourite is my coral-coloured bowtie. Instant attention getter! It’s not only sustainably made but also makes me irresistible. As a social doodle, it gets me even more attention, and believe me, I never say no to that!

Brigitte, does Sammie have any quirky habits that are typically Sammie?

We have this convector grate between our rooms. Sammie would hop over it carelessly as a puppy, but then she became a bit cautious. We came up with something brilliant! When we say “One, two…” Sammie does her special dance: takes a run-up, gracefully twirls around, and – tadaa! – jumps over it like a true acrobat. This trick even works for other scary situations. It’s all about trust!

Sammie, if you had a superpower, what would it be? And why?

Flying! Imagine soaring through the air, as free as a bird! Right now, I must admire them from the ground and chase after them as they fly away. But how cool would it be to glide through the sky with them! ✨

What’s your favourite activity together? A forest walk, cuddling on the couch, or something else?

Going on adventures with my humans is the absolute best! But our ultimate favourite? Forest walks! Only a beach walk could top this, sand between my paws, sea breeze through my curls… sadly, the sea isn’t around the corner. But fortunately, we have amazing forests and heathlands nearby!

Brigitte, can you share a moment when Sammie really surprised you or made you laugh?

The bell story is so typically Sammie! She was house-trained from day one, super convenient! She came to us in mid-summer when the garden doors were always open. One day, at just four months old, the inevitable happened: a tiny accident because we hadn’t noticed her waiting by the closed garden door.

The solution? A bell! After brief training, she was already ringing it herself when she needed to go out. That evening, we had visitors when suddenly a cheerful ‘ding!’ echoed through the room. There stood Sammie by the door, super proud of her new trick!

She loved it so much that the bell became her favourite toy. We eventually had to retire the bell for peace (and our furniture’s sake). But what a clever pup, knowing how to communicate so well at such a young age!

Finally, Sammie, do you have any words of wisdom for other dogs and their humans?

Of course, treats are important, but life is about so much more! We dogs are the real-life connoisseurs; we live in the moment and don’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow. We find joy in the simple things: a nature walk, a power nap in the sunshine, or quality time with our humans.

My life motto? Enjoy every moment, be grateful for what you have, and share your love with others! Don’t stress about tomorrow; focus on the now, that’s where true happiness lies!

Sammie’s favourites