Four years back, the Johnsons brought home a spirited little pup named Sadie. She and her littermates had been left behind at a gas station in Texas, but everything changed once she was adopted.
From the moment she settled in, Sadie claimed a meaningful place in the family, stepping into her self-assigned job as keeper of the backyard.
A Protector Who Never Slacks
Sadie is not content to be just another fun-loving house dog. She adores playtime and affection, yet she treats her watch duties with unmistakable seriousness. Rabbits, squirrels, and bullfrogs all fall under her steady surveillance.
“She never actually tries to hurt them. If she gets close enough, which is rare, she pounces with her paws instead of biting. I’m quite confident she wouldn’t hurt them, and honestly, the critters don’t seem all that worried about it,” Mike Johnson, Sadie’s dad, told The Dodo.
She clearly lives for the rush of the pursuit more than the reward, although that never weakens her commitment to guarding her space.
Recently, when she noticed a tiny intruder near the fence, she changed her usual strategy. Instead of barreling in with her typical gusto, she lowered her body and moved with deliberate quiet. This chase was different. She had backup.
Between her teeth, she carried her favorite stuffed toy, a gift she received when she first arrived at her new home.
“The stuffed animal was among the toys we bought when we first adopted her, hoping to help her feel a bit less alone after leaving her litter for the first time,” Mike explained.
After all this time, she still keeps that toy close. Whether tucked beside her indoors or bouncing along as she wanders the yard, her loyal sidekick is rarely out of reach.
Two Partners, One Mission
With the squirrel in sight, Sadie inched forward, treating her plush companion as a crucial part of the operation.
The squirrel showed no fear. Instead of sprinting off, it lingered at the fence line as if daring her to make a move.
“Our squirrels—we call them Chester and Lester—seemingly became less afraid of Sadie. They now allow her to get quite close before they take off,” Mike said.
Right as Sadie readied herself to leap, the squirrel, later dubbed Chester, bolted away in a blur. Sadie held her position, staring at the empty space where her challenger had vanished.
She didn’t need the catch to feel victorious. Her yard was secure again, and for her, that meant the mission was complete.
Sadie is so much more than a four-legged security system. She is a joyful presence in the Johnson home, always enthusiastic about her responsibilities while bringing warmth to everyone around her.
The backyard will never stay free of critters for long, but that only fuels her excitement.
“She takes her job seriously, even if the squirrels don’t,” Mike said with a laugh.
With her faithful stuffed friend traveling everywhere she goes, Sadie continues to patrol with courage and heart. Every chase becomes an adventure worth taking.