A Day with Bobby Costner In Santa Barbara

How we’ve kept this secret photoshoot from you is amazing in itself! We got to meet and spend the day with Bobby Costner!

Sworn to secrecy, DOGUE style team came from all over the country and convened in Santa Barbara for this monumental event. This was our first time styling a large breed and working with a famous Labrador. It was also Bobby’s first time playing dress up, and we were so excited for this opportunity. Even though Bobby is not a fashion dog, he kindly agreed to let us style him with our favorite fits of the season. The weather in Santa Barbara was perfect. Clear blue skies, the bright California sun and the crispy cold air of the early morning made the day even more memorable. Time stood still, as we waited at the front porch to meet our Cover Star. As the door opened, Bobby came running out to greet us with wags of welcome and an enthusiasm that only exists in young children and puppies. We immediately felt a sense of relief that he accepted us as friends. He looked just as excited to spend the day with us as we were with him.

We all took turns playing fetch with him, until he wore us out. He liked to have the ball pulled out of his mouth in tug-of-war fashion when he brought it back. Soon, several of his furiends showed up for play-time. Bobby didn’t miss a beat- he was visibly excited to have four- legged buddies that had way more stamina than we did. Bobby and his furiends chased each other around, and cooled off by dipping in the dog pool, set up for them. There are twelve dogs in Bobby’s pack, who meet regularly at Bobby’s for playtime. Bobby’s beautiful Santa Barbara estate includes several acres of free open space that Bobby and his pack use as their personal playground. The house also has direct access to the beach, which is Bobby’s favorite place to be.

Every dog’s disposition is different, with some being more cooperative than others. We had no idea how Bobby would react to the idea of playing dress up with us, considering he is still a puppy, and this was his very first time putting on clothes. To say that we weren’t a little nervous, would be lying. To our surprise, Bobby was amazing! He is very well-trained and really enjoys performing his commands on cue, in exchange for a ball, or a stick… no treats necessary!

Bobby posed gracefully for the camera, making our shoot a breeze. He also turned out to be very photogenic. The camera loved him! After our shoot, Bobby led us down to the beach; with his pack right behind him. The pups ran right into the ocean, splashing and jumping around, in the wildest way possible. They were free. And, with the wet sand between our toes, we felt free, too.

Later that afternoon, Bobby introduced us to his human – THE Kevin Costner! What a thrill it was for us to meet such an influential artist and filmmaker. It was clear that their admiration and respect for each other was mutual. They fed off each other’s energy as you can see in the photos, especially the one of them looking out at the horizon. If you look past the fame and celebrity status, you’ll see that Bobby and Kevin’s bond is the same as our relationship with our pups. Well, maybe, with one exception: Kevin doesn’t play dress up with Bobby.

Story by Shannon Cooper and Oli Port