By A. Campbell
Name: Charlie Meatballs
Age: 5 years old
Breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback/Coonhound mix
Profile/history: My parents found me at an adoption event. Apparently Dad wasn’t interested in getting a dog but Mom says that Dad saw me at the event and took for me a walk, and then came back to her and exclaimed, “I LOVE this dog!” I was very sick when they found me. I had been originally rescued from Texas and then Mom and Dad adopted me while living in Colorado. I was underweight, about 40 pounds, there were holes in my coat, and I needed to be treated for heartworms. As you can see from my before and after pictures, Mom and Dad took great care of me and now I’m healthy, happy, and heart worm free! (“before” picture below)
Daily routine: I have my own pillow on the bed and as soon as Mom rolls over in the morning, I start wagging my tail so she knows I’m ready for our morning walk. Each morning at 8:00am Mom and I take advantage of off-leash hours in Central Park and take an hour-long walk. I can be very impatient if Mom is trying to get something accomplished ahead of our walk. I always worry that we’re not going to go for a walk at all. But rain or shine, we head out every single day. I also have a feline sibling, Tiki. The days Mom goes to work, I head over to my best friend Body’s house which is right around the block from us. It’s my second home. When Mom returns home from work, she picks me up and we go for another walk. Afterward, it’s dinner and relaxation time.
Loves: Anywhere I can run around. I love Central Park, which I call the “Big P.” Rhodesian Ridgebacks like myself love to get exercise and fresh air.
Does not love: Loud noises and fireworks. I also don’t like the street sweepers – they’re always kicking up dirt on the people and dogs who happen to be waiting on corners and they make a tremendous amount of noise.
Favorite store/business on UWS: I love pulling Mom and Dad into Andy’s Deli on Columbus Avenue across from the American Museum of Natural History. I’m very friendly with the owner’s sons who work behind the counter during the summertime. The boys like to feed me deli meat over the counter. I’m always very careful to take the treats gently, because that’s how I was taught. Mom says she ends up spending more money at Andy’s because I’m always so desperate to go inside.
Favorite park spot: Anywhere I can roam and socialize with other pups.
Favorite treat: Lamb lung. It may sound strange, but I find it delicious. It’s a dehydrated treat that you can buy at dog stores or order online.
Should Michael Bloomberg run for President in 2020? Mom and Dad joke that I’m an Upper West Side secret Republican because I was in a very good mood after the last presidential election. But that’s all conjecture. I was simply feeling very playful throughout November 2016. I think Bloomberg could be an interesting candidate. If he is willing to consider bolstering his platform with a policy that advocates more free deli meat for New York pups, I would most certainly support that.
If West Side Rag readers are interested in becoming pet owners, we encourage you to consider adopting or volunteering to be a foster parent with one of the many shelters and nonprofits based in and around New York City. These include but aren’t limited to: Muddy Paws Rescue; Animal Lighthouse Rescue; NYC ASPCA; Humane Society of New York; Bideawee; Social Tees; and Animal Haven.
Pupper West Side is sponsored by Laurie, who has 15 years of dog-walking experience:
Charlie is a beautiful dog.
But depressing that the writer is OK with regularly taking Charlie into a food store, though the law does not permit dogs in grocery/food stores etc.
This is a sponsored post?
It’s not an ad, because the advertiser has no control over the content.
Charlie, you look like a very handsome fellow who deserves all the treats!