Adèle & Sydney
ph. Lucas Charrier
text by Clara Bouteille
Sidney is the charismatic dog of Adèle, writer and director.
While Sydney is cooling off in the Seine, Adele devises a rescue plan to get her back. Despite the unusual adventures of Adèle's dog, a relationship of trust has developed between them.
Sydney the charismatic
“My name is Adele, and I'm 32 years old. I originally had fairly standard work as a company lawyer. At the end of my contract, I took the opportunity to convert to becoming a scriptwriter/director. As it still doesn't pay, I have a job in a shop. When I was starting my new direction, I decided to get a dog (at the time with my ex). Today I have her on my own. Sydney is a sheepdog, so she is very athletic and needs a lot of stimulation. She is funny, dynamic, charismatic, and just great. I have organised my life's plans around her. For example, I want to find a new job in the food industry for which I can work remotely. I dream about my dog regularly, or we do very mundane things, like going for walks.”
An education
“I live next to the Bois de Boulogne, so it's paradise! I was able to educate her there without needing to put a leash or a collar on her. My family had dogs, but there was a lack of training. So, I took online classes before she arrived. Making sure I was ready in time to train her in the right way.
I make sure that his life is full of different adventures, so we regularly change places for walks. We explore together. During the day when I'm not available, she has a dog sitter who skates, so she spends hours running around Paris with him.
People who don't have dogs often talk about the complications of going on holiday. I chose Sydney to go on holiday! This summer we are going to walk for three weeks on the road of Saint Jacques de Compostelle together.”
A before and after
“There was a before/after to Sydney, not the least because I had a fairly brutal separation. Having Sydney in my life allowed me to stay emotionally stable in the chaos. I had lost many of my bearings, so my dog was my anchor. She gave me a lot.
Sydney connected me with other animals. I never thought I would have any tenderness for birds or other animals.
Recently, on a night walk with Sydney we came across a duck that looked in bad shape. I wanted to take it to my vet. But oddly enough, my dog became obsessed with the duck, even though she doesn't usually care for them. After a few seconds, the duck and Sydney were in the big pond. About 20 minutes later, she still hadn't come out. Sydney isn't used to swimming for so long. So, out of fear she would drown from exhaustion, I decided to go in and get her. I took off my trousers and shoes and swam in the pond. While all this happened, a prostitute, an old man and a runner kept my things.
It wasn't really the first time… Occasionally I have abseiled down the banks of the Seine with the leash to get Sydney. She loves to swim...”
