Leaps, Laughs, and Lab Love

Listen closely and you can practically hear the heart emojis flying around as Jess opens up about her 10-year-old heartthrob of a dog, Reggie, a chocolate Labrador with the energy of a puppy, and the swagger of the Hollywood star who inspired his name.

“Reg is my heart dog and my soulmate. I am 1,000% devoted to him, and I owe him more than I could ever hope to properly explain,” shared Jess. “I’ve seen your work and it’s gorgeous…I know you will be able to capture the amazing, magical creature that he is and the profound love I feel for him.”

Reggie isn’t just your average Lab; he’s a charismatic, ball-catching, extroverted superstar who recently made the cross-country trek from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh for a one-of-a-kind session. Jess thought this would be a perfect chance for Reggie to indulge in his love for showing off. Spoiler alert: she wasn’t wrong.

A Name Fit for a Legend

Before we dive into the action-packed day I had with Reggie, let’s take a moment to appreciate the story behind his name. You see, Jess and her husband, Tim, are big fans of the cult classic Slap Shot, a movie about a minor league ice hockey team featuring Paul Newman as Reggie Dunlop, the team’s scrappy player-coach. Turns out, Paul Newman loved that role, and apparently, so does Reggie, because this dog embodies every bit of that spirit!

Tim thought the name “Reggie” would be perfect for their future Lab, and once Jess saw Reggie and his littermates at just five weeks old, the name was a no-brainer. I mean, what better name for a lovable, energetic, showman of a dog than one inspired by Paul Newman himself?

Jess adds, “I agreed, especially since we had bonded over Slap Shot. When we brought him home, we quickly realized it was a perfect name for him as he is most definitely a Reggie. But, like most pets-​at least the ones I grew up with-​he has multiple nicknames. Once someone asked me if he was named Reggie after Elton John’s real name and I said no, but that honestly would not be a stretch. He is definitely a fancy little man and often goes by Sir Reginald.”

Mr. Handsome in Action

When Jess describes Reggie, you can feel the love.

“I think he’s the most handsome little man. I love his features; he’s a gorgeous Lab” she says “He’s so strong and athletic. It brings me such joy watching him jump and catch the ball when we are playing fetch and watching him tear through the woods on hikes, dodging trees and jumping over fallen branches like it’s second nature. Personality-wise, he has the biggest heart and he’s so intelligent. He’s got this beautiful duality of being a tough guy but also being a very sensitive soul.”

I can confirm Reggie is every bit the athlete she says he is. We had a blast at Brady’s Run Park where Reggie put on a full demonstration of his athletic prowess. He chased his favorite ball like a pro, showing off those muscular legs that make you think he’s been secretly hitting the gym.

And let’s talk about that duality Jess mentioned. Reggie’s not just all muscle and action. Between his bursts of zoomies, Reggie would often check in with Jess, making sure she was watching his every move, like a true mama’s boy. He’s also that Lab who’ll melt into a chocolate puddle of feelings the moment you give him a scratch behind the ears. Sensitive, athletic, magnetic—​Jess scored the hat trick of canine charm with this guy!

Reggie the Showman

Jess had a hunch that Reggie would thrive in front of the camera, and boy, did he deliver! She had mentioned how Reggie tends to get annoyed when she takes pictures of him (I can totally relate with my Hunter who does the exact same thing), but since it wasn’t her behind the camera this time, he seized the opportunity to strut his stuff.

“He loves flirting and showing off,” she laughed, adding, “I think he will enjoy the chance to show off and be the center of attention.”

And that was clear from the moment we arrived at the park. Reggie was all about being the star of the show-posing, running, splashing through the creeks, and lighting up the place like he was scoring a game-winning goal!

Reggie gave us gold. Whether it was his big goofy grin after catching a ball mid-air or his focused, intense stare as he honed in on trying to catch a fish in the cool creek, it was hard not to be in awe of him. It’s safe to say we exhausted him after a day of non-stop action, but you know what they say: A tired Lab is a happy Lab. And Reggie, well, he was both.

Boxed Up with Love

At her ordering appointment shortly after her session, Jess decided to go with a stunning bamboo heirloom folio box filled with all her favorite portraits of Reggie. This choice wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was the perfect keepsake for a dog with such a vibrant personality and heart. This elegant box allows Jess to showcase Reggie’s adventures while keeping them safe and sound.

Bark & Gold Photography’s bamboo heirloom folio box is a beautiful and eco-friendly way to preserve your dog’s portraits in a timeless, handcrafted piece. Made from sustainably sourced bamboo, this box is as durable as it is elegant, offering a minimalist, natural aesthetic that complements any home décor. For Jess, specifically, it made transporting her boy’s portraits back to Los Angeles a breeze, avoiding the hassle of cramming showcase-sized wall art pieces into the overhead compartment on the flight home.

Coast-to-Coast Cuteness

A huge thank you to Jess and Reggie for making the cross-country trek from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh for such an unforgettable session! It was an absolute joy to capture Reggie’s personality, energy, and magic in every portrait. Here’s to many more adventures for you and your incredible boy!


If you’re ready for an adventure-packed session like Reggie’s at Brady’s Run Park, let’s make it happen! Whether your dog’s a trailblazer, a ball-chaser, or a creek-splashing pro, I’m here to capture all the action. Adventure awaits—just choose your starting point below to get the ball rolling.

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