A Coffee Date with Bella the Miniature Poodle at Shaman Coffee, Leman Locke London

Since the lockdown was put in place several weeks ago, there’s one thing I miss the most, and that’s coffee. Actually two things - coffee and your dog’s company. A strong flat white, with a happy hound that I get to cuddle and take fun happy photos of. That’s exactly how my shoot went with Bella the Miniature and Toy Poodle cross. It feels almost like a dream that it actually happened - that little moment of joy, just going for a coffee with the dog. I feel like I took it so for granted, but thank goodness my last coffee and dog date was super special and has the photo evidence for us to swoon over …

I’m waiting for Gü and her pup Bella to arrive at Shaman Coffee, one of their favourite hangouts situated in the lobby of the dog friendly Leman Locke Hotel. Bella bounces in, super excited to be here, and instantly all eyes in the room are on her. She’s a cross between a Miniature Poodle, a Toy Poodle, and possibly a teddy bear too? (she’s that adorable). At just 4 months old, she’s teeny tiny and super curly. She’s fresh from the dog groomers and with her signature poodle trim, it’s as if she’s showing off little fluffy flares. As Gü and I sit and chat, Bella makes herself comfortable on one of the bucket chairs, perfectly camouflaging into the rich rust tones. It’s at this point, the shoot naturally begins and I can’t believe how well behaved and responsive Bella is. She waits and sits beautifully following Gü’s commands.

Gü has a hearing impairment, so Bella is quick to respond to her mum’s signed commands. At 4 months old, I can’t believe how obedient she is, and I think the fact that Gü signals most of her commands brings the pair closer together. Even at this early age I can see Bella’s attention is more focused on her owner and there’s a general back-and-forth with eye contact. Don’t get me wrong, just like any puppy, Bella is still easily distracted and excited about what’s going on around her, but I notice a slight difference. It’s as if she’s on stand-by, ready for her mum’s next move.

“Sometimes I feel like Bella is coda (the child of a deaf adult). If I don’t have my hearing aids on and Bella wants my attention she will constantly scratch my legs! Or if I’m in bed she will constantly jump until I understand what she wants. I sometimes forget she’s a dog.”

Gü tells me about her start up company Sign Matters, which is a new app connecting the deaf community with interpreters throughout the UK, with the aim of empowering people and organisations to be more inclusive. Gü speaks so passionately about her vision for the company.

“I am profoundly deaf and after experiencing so many setbacks and downright discrimination trying to make my way in the hearing world, I decided something had to be done. Despite my qualifications and enthusiasm, obstacles were constantly placed. As, if being deaf isn’t a big enough obstacle.

Signmatters tackles these problems of autonomy by creating an app that allows deaf users to enlist the support of interpreters directly. It lowers costs as agencies usually add 20% onto the price and also gives control of who and when they employ to enact their support.”

Gü is such a bubbly, confident and smiley personality, (it’s obviously where Bella get’s it from). Bella wanders around the coffee shop, revelling in the 'oos’ and the ‘aahs’ from other customers. So Gü scoops her up, and Bella comfortably falls into what I soon realise is the pair’s signature pose. Bella is wrapped around her mum’s arm, switching from her previous teddy bear guise to a cuddling koala. We settle back in the seating area and Bella loves being part of our little get together. She sits on Gü’s lap, cuddling up to her and lapping up all the attention.

“When I first saw Bella I was in love! But then when I went to pick her up in a beautiful place in Ipswich, a sense of fear, anxiety and worry came over me. What if I can’t be the best dog owner and what if she doesn’t like me? At this time in my life I was going through a major change and now when I look back, I realise she was the best thing that has happened to me.”

It’s time for Bella to have a bathroom break so we take it as an opportunity to have a stroll around Aldgate, which leads us to a cosy independent Cinema. With all of it’s retro furniture, it’s hard to resist a few more photos and just like before, Bella looks totally at one with her surroundings. She cuddles up to Gü, watching passersby outside looking so content and at ease. I even notice her little smile, which seems to go from ear-to-ear whenever she’s close to her mum.

With all the excitement of shoot day, Bella goes from bouncy bear to sleepy bear and so, our session naturally draws to a close. She’s been the best tour guide. Not only has she shown me the hotspots of her hometown, but she’s shown me what it is to be a devoted little pup. She’s loyal, incredibly attentive and so effortlessly adorable.

You can keep up to date with Bella and Gü’s daily routine by following Bella’s Instagram @itsbellatheredpoodle

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