When I started working at Vogue, as one of Anna Wintour’s assistants, a good seven years ago, there were three of us, each with clearly defined responsibilities. While Corinne, the executive assistant, handled scheduling and travel, and Jasmine, the second assistant, managed invitations and tickets of various kinds, my remit involved, among other things, the comings and goings of Anna’s goldendoodles.
That meant placing Chewy orders, coordinating vet appointments, and spending lots of time on the phone with the customer service representatives for a pet-tracking device that never seemed to work. I was also in frequent contact with Olaseni Olukogbon, Anna’s dutiful dog-walker, checking in about his hours that week, or when the trainer was meant to come over.
All of this was fine and fairly straightforward, but I do remember wishing that I had more time to just hang out with the dogs. Fleeting glimpses of tawny heads and wagging tails as I dropped things off at Anna’s house weren’t enough. Who were these golden girls?? I wanted to know. What were they actually like?
So you can imagine my delight when, over several hours on a recent weekday afternoon, I watched nine-year-old Radley, eight-year-old Harper, and five-year-old Finch—the latest addition to the pack—have their portraits taken by OK McCausland with Olaseni standing helpfully by, of course. All three dogs were about as natural in front of a camera as you’d expect: Fresh from a visit to PupCulture, their groomer in Tribeca (they have a standing weekly appointment), they were carefully coiffed, softly scented, and utterly professional—if occasionally a little chatty. (Finch had a lot of opinions about the artistic direction, apparently.)
Glamorous, amber-colored Radley was in full big-sister mode all afternoon: obedient, impassive, and a little over it after the first few set-ups. (It’s no wonder that Olaseni calls her a “moody teenager.”) Darling little Harper was just along for the ride—happy to sit, stay, or troop down the stairs as required—but also kind of sleepy. And Finch was a true ham: barking, breaking rank, and sprawling on her back (a bit like Veruschka in Blow-Up, in fact) for belly-rubs. They were heaven, in other words: not exactly Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche, but close enough.
Below, Olaseni steps up to answer Vogue’s Dogue questionnaire—with a little help from Anna and Bee Carrozzini.
Vogue: What are their full names?
Boo Radley
Harper
Atticus Finch
Astrological signs?
Radley: Aries
Harper: Taurus
Finch: Taurus
Favorite toys?
Radley: A tennis ball
Harper: She particularly enjoys durable chew toys, especially rope toys that she can toss with her mouth.
Finch: Multipet’s Lamb Chop toy
Favorite meals?
Human-grade pet food
Worst habits?
Radley: Excessive pawing for attention
Harper: Barking at unusual objects on the sidewalk, including things like broken coconuts.
Finch: Stalking squirrels
Strangest habits?
Radley: Nudging
Harper: Whining every time I sit on the couch, trying to get me to give her permission to jump on my lap. It’s either let her on my lap—because she won’t leave my side—or find somewhere else to sit!
Finch: Her tendency to fetch and hide unusual items. For example, she once took keys and hid them in her crate, causing a search that lasted for over an hour.
If they could talk, what would their catchphrases be?
“Ready, set, go!”
What are the dogs’ best qualities?
The dogs have several wonderful qualities. They have a strong bond and hate to be apart from each other, showing their deep connection. They’re always ready to defend one another, reflecting their loyalty and protective nature. They’re also incredibly affectionate and intelligent, often picking up new tricks quickly. Their need for attention can be a bit overbearing at times, as they’ll insist on being the center of your world—whether you’re ready for it or not! Additionally, they’re incredibly joyful whenever they see their dog friends, highlighting their friendly and social personalities.
Who would voice the dogs in a movie?
Radley: Nicole Kidman or Isabelle Huppert
Harper: Tyla or Ayo Edebiri
Finch: Amy Poehler
What are the dogs’ weirdest nicknames, and how did you come up with them?
Radley: “Moody teenager” because she has a tendency to have dramatic mood swings and a bit of an aloof attitude, reminiscent of a typical teenager.
Harper: “Ms. Harper” because she loves to sit on the bench in the park and judge other dogs, much like a stern teacher or critic.
Finch: “The Diplomat” because she listens attentively at home but seems to have selective hearing when we’re in the countryside. It’s as if she chooses which matters to engage with, just like a diplomat.
Where is one place you wish you could take the dogs?
Since they can’t read, I wish I could take them to the theater to watch To Kill a Mockingbird. It would be amazing to share the experience that inspired their names.
What is the most human thing the dogs do? What is the most dog thing the dogs do?
The most human thing they do is going to the dog run just to sit on the bench with the people and watch other dogs running around, as if they prefer observing the action rather than participating. The most dog-like thing they do is getting excited for a car ride. They know that certain leashes mean they’re going in the car and will come running with pure enthusiasm.