Man’s best friend and faithful servant
Long ago, dogs earned the moniker of man’s best friend. That sentiment can be seen in all stages of life, from children who grow up with their protective canines all the way up to the elderly population, where people joke that pet and owner even start to look like each other after so many years. Franklin County is home to many such dogs who have become community icons, but maybe none more so than Sadie, an Australian Shepherd who is part of the Tidwell family in Phil Campbell.
According to Robbie Tidwell, Sadie is technically his dog – but his dad David jokingly says “not anymore.” Sadie divides her time faithfully among Robbie’s house, his parents’ house, church and her favorite spot – on the toolbox on the back of the truck.
“We never trained her to do it. She just loves riding, whether it’s on the Kubota or the truck,” Robbie said. All the family has to do is say, “Load up,” or “Let’s go,” and Sadie automatically hops onto the toolbox and settles in for a ride.
She has turned into quite the traveler over the past six years the Tidwells have owned her because of this habit. “It doesn’t matter where I go,” David said, “she’s right there with me.”
That kind of loyalty is exactly what has earned dogs the title of man’s best friend.
Robbie said it doesn’t matter what they’re doing – whether it’s cutting hay, working with the cattle or going into town – Sadie wants to be right there with them. She has become so commonplace in town that restaurant employees even know who she is.
“She always gets half of whatever I get to eat,” David said.
But Sadie has a quirk when it comes to mealtime. No matter who it is, humans or other dogs, Sadie will not eat in the company of others.
“She’ll let the other dogs eat it all up and not get any herself,” said Charlene, Robbie’s mother.
When it comes to children, Sadie’s protective side kicks in, and she does whatever she can to keep them safe, even if it means standing between them and potential threats like other dogs, Robbie said.
Perhaps the most uplifting part of Sadie’s story is her dedication to church. Without fail, every Sunday and Wednesday, she either catches a ride with the family or makes her own way to the church that is just down the road.
“She’s the most faithful member,” Robbie joked.
Sadie has ingrained herself into the community as well as the family with acts like that.
“She has touched all of our hearts,” Charlene said. “There will never be another dog like her.”
Her servant-like attitude caught the attention of Elesha Ergle, photographer and web designer for Premier Angus Genetics, the company run by her husband Keith Ergle and Robbie. Elesha writes blogs on the website, www.premierang.com, and she recently wrote one about Sadie.
“Her loyalty got me to thinking about how much better off we would be as humans if we followed that example and were truly serving God, our master, the way Sadie serves David and Robbie,” Elesha said.
With all of the negative events going on in the world recently, Robbie said he hoped a positive story like this would touch someone’s heart and show a light into all of the darkness.
“She’s one of a kind,” Elesha said, “and if we can help one person have a better day with her story, then that’ll be great.”
