“An hour and a half – it didn’t take longer,” says Angelina Ibehej. Hard to believe with five four-legged friends who are supposed to stand still together and look into the camera. But Ibehej waves it off: “They know their commands. And they stay until the word to clear them comes.” Afterwards there is a dog biscuit. “I’ll never forget it – and they know it.” So well-rehearsed, the five of them look like they come from an agency for film animal trainers. But Ibehej is not a trainer, but a works councilor at Opel and a passionate Shetland Sheepdog owner.
Your dogs were hired for the Opel statement on World Dog Day – via the short official route. There is a photo of the Sheltie pack on her PC; colleagues know the gang. One brought her into conversation when product communications was looking for motifs for a shoot for World Dog Day. A little later, the five four-legged friends stood in front of photographer Andreas Liebschner’s lens – in the middle of the spacious rear of the new Combo Electric. The modern descendant of the original combo presented 40 years ago, the Opel Kadett Combo, offers plenty of space: more than 2.20 meters of usable length and – in the XL version – a loading volume of up to 4,000 liters. Perfect for five Shelties and their people.
“Afterwards there’s a dog biscuit. I’ll never forget it – and they know it.”
– Angelina Ibehej –
Posing in the rear of the Combo Electric: The approximately 59 centimeter low loading sill makes it easier for dogs to get in and out.
Five Shelties in action: each pretty, together an attraction – when walking the dog as well as in front of the camera at the Opel shoot.
But how do you get five Shelties? That wasn’t planned. After completing her training at Opel and moving into her first apartment, Angelina Ibehej wanted a dog – smaller than the German Shepherds she had grown up with. “But just as smart and reliable.” That’s how she discovered the Shetland Sheepdogs: herding dogs from Scotland, only around 40 centimeters high, attentive, obedient, friendly. The first puppy was Leevi, a real hit. A year later, at a Sheltie meeting, she met Mina, a reserved dog who immediately trusted Leevi and his owner. “It’s still available,” said the breeder – and number two was chosen.
A Sheltie in the color “Blue Merle” was still missing. But one breeder only had puppies in “sable,” a golden color. The colleague went there anyway – and fell in love with a little diva who she initially called “Moaning Myrtle”. The dog was later named Yuna. She quickly won show prizes and, as so often, the question came: “Don’t you even want to breed with her?” After intensive training on the topic, three litters followed. The puppies went into loving hands – except for one: Kamikaze, Kami for short. “It was so cool from the start, it had to stay.” In the meantime, Rio had also moved in, a black and white male who came for a trial weekend – and of course stayed after three days.
The five of them have known the Opel Combo for a long time: their mistress drives one herself. Ideal for trips with the whole group.
Posing like professionals: A team of mistresses, and everyone looks into the camera – from the left Rio, Leevi, Kami, Yuna, Mina. The photos are now valuable souvenir photos for the dog owner – the male Leevi, the oldest in the Sheltie pack, has since died.
Five dogs, one car – and a surprising amount of discipline: photographer Andreas Liebschner captures the dog gang in action.
Angelina Ibehej with her Sheltie pack – a well-rehearsed team in front of and behind the camera.
So five Shelties. Everyone is pretty, together they are an attraction – when walking the dog as well as in front of the camera. The five of them have known the Opel Combo for a long time: their mistress drives one herself. Ideal for trips with the whole group, but sometimes they would like the longer wheelbase. And a Combo Electric as a future successor? “Absolutely,” she says. It would be particularly useful in Rio. He is prone to motion sickness – and a quieter, low-vibration electric motor could be good for his stomach. A range of up to 344 kilometers (WLTP) is easily enough for long tours. And at the 100 kW fast charging station, the 50 kWh battery is charged to 80 percent again in around 30 minutes – ideal for a short break to walk the dog.
The photos from the Opel shooting have a wistful value for Angelina Ibehej today: They are the last pictures with Leevi. The male died of cancer a few weeks later at the age of eleven and a half. On average, Shelties only live a little longer – a small consolation. Beautiful hours remain in memory when Leevi, Mina, Yuna, Rio and Kami became magical Opel models – in a high-roof station wagon that was made for them: lots of space, quiet interior, low loading sill. In short: perfect conditions for a small, great dog gang.
November 2025
Text: Eric Scherer, photos: Opel/Andreas Liebschner, private