WOOF Patrol Luvables

WOOF Moniker: Sidney

Canine Informant: Roberta Bayley

What we learn from our dog? To love, and that things happen for a good reason.

Roberta Bayley is a photojournalist. In the 70’s she was the vanguard shutterbug chronicling the punk rock scene. Bayley is also a Pug enthusiast with an instinctual and serendipitous outlook on life. Sidney, her six year old pug, is pragmatic. She’s a loyal, biscuit-counting lady as well as an assertive gate keeper of dog-mom’s kibble-filled pockets.

WOOF Patrol invited Roberta and Sidney over to Pomo’s pad for coffee and a chat. Pomo wanted a bit more behind the scenes look at one of his favorite dog run mates.

Roberta Bayley: In 2001, I was walking down the street and saw a man walking two pugs. I hesitated to talk to him, not wanting to appear like I was hitting on him. He mentioned that the female was having a litter sometime in August. When I asked how much the pups would cost, he told me $300 - $400. The price was reasonable. Today, $1,500 would not shock or dissuade me. It’s funny how your perspective changes once a dog enters your life.

WOOF Patrol: Were you always a Pug person?

R.B.: We had a beagle growing up. I was always dog obsessed. My grandmother gave me a subscription to Dog World and I longed for an Afghan. It was a very 50’s kind of dog. I thought it would be the bee’s knees to own one.

Pooch’s Hobby: Merchants on Sidney’s block can’t resist or misinterpret the lady’s request for a treat. Her daily strolls include certain key destination stops. Batting her eyes (which are not blue, but brown) and cocking her head just a touch, signals to those on her route that its time to dole out the biscuits. Roberta carries kibble in case a shopkeeper may have run out. However, The Mud Truck, a local coffee vendor, grasps the commercial and community value attributable to being well stocked on pooch treats.

R.B.: Mud Truck is cognizant that your dog will take you to them. I’m careful to factor in the treats and cut back on her dinner to prevent the weight gain common to the breed. Her ritualized routine provides her with exercise and plenty of socializing. It’s also the kind of thing that makes you aware that New York is a vibrant and caring community.

Sidney, C.P.A. (Canine Pug Accountant): defined as one who biscuit-counts her way to and from the Park.

Roberta is well versed in Sidney’s hobby of making friends with the local merchants. There are three major points of interest for Sidney: First, the Mud Truck, next the newsstand and very often, a stop over at Fabulous Fanny’s, one of the largest carriers of vintage eyeglasses in Manhattan.

1. The Mud Truck (www.themudtruck.com)Used to be 2 biscuits – cut back to 1

2. Red from the NewstandProvides 2 biscuits – never 3

3. The occasional 1 biscuit atFabulous Fanny’s (www.fabulousfannys.com)

The Beatles’ first North American tour took place at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

Sidney’s Arfstrology Sign: Leo – August 19, 2001

R.B.: Sidney’s date of birth coincides with the first time I ever saw the Beatles in Concert.

R.B.: No. At that time there weren’t many female rock photojournalists. It was a male dominated profession, most with backgrounds as fashion photographers, like David Bailey. Linda Eastman (Linda McCartney), also from the fashion world, was on the scene taking pictures. But at that Beatle’s concert - it was all about the music. Later on I found myself bringing my instamatic to concerts. For me becoming a photographer was my way of exploring things and having fun.

Charlotte Robinson’s poignant 2000 interview with Roberta is still relevant. It provides readers with a unique perspective on somone that was at the right place at the right time. She was also skillful and gifted with a camera. It’s fittingly titled: She Just Takes Pictures Interview with Roberta Bayley (http://www.popmatters.com/music/features/000830-bayley.html).

Bayley’s career has had a fortuitous journey. Her unpretentious and candid manner provides what she would likely (and more cofortably) label as ‘unintentional’ life lessons. From her we learn that sometimes a career path can emerge when one welcomes and embraces new experiences. You don’t necessarily know where the path will lead you. However, by being open to opportunities that defy a kind of job title or category, you may find yourself pioneering a profession.

Roberta is quoted in the Robinson’s article saying, “Everything was interesting.” She meant it. It’s implicitly understood that she enjoyed her world and her surroundings which were at the epicenter of the music world. Taking photographs was done in such a relaxed manner that rock stars folks like Deborah Harry (Blondie), Iggy Pop, The Ramones and many others looked into Bayley’s lens with candor, sex appeal and humor.