Pupper West Side: A Hound With Political Ambitions

By A. Campbell

Name: Mayor or One Up Mayor, because one of my ears is always sticking up. See?

Age: They tell me I’m about 2 years old.

Breed: Lab and Basset Hound mix

Profile/History: Mom found me at Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue. She had the best of intentions and began as a foster parent, but her failure was my gain! We fell for each other from day one. I came to stay with her in October and by November, it was official. I was here to stay on the Upper West Side.

Daily routine: I have tons of friends in the neighborhood and love being social. Did you ever hear about this famous dog mayor of a small town in Minnesota? His name was Duke. Isn’t he wonderful?! Sadly, after many years of dutiful service to his town, Duke recently passed away, but he remains an idol for me. I hope to one day be just as beloved by my Upper West Side friends as Duke was by his fellow townspeople. So, back to my daily routine. Weather permitting, we take advantage of off leash hours most mornings in Central Park. As we head east toward the park on 69th Street, I always pay a visit to my good friend Larry. Larry is a gentleman and a scholar who is also a devoted dog enthusiast. Best of all, he carries chicken for all the neighborhood dogs! After chatting up Larry, I’ll do some running around on the lawns between 69th and 70th Streets. Mom works in real estate and her office is close to our apartment. That means that I’m not alone too much. Occasionally I may accompany her on work trips and meetings with clients, or I may join her in the office and lend my expertise to important conversations. “The business of business, is business.”

Loves: Playing with and chasing other dogs. I’m also very dedicated to my pup training course. I’m currently working closely with Justice at Raise the Woof dog training. I’ve tried to stay very consistent with my lessons and learn to behave appropriately in any situation. Currently, I’m working on mastering tricks like come, stay, sit, heel, touch, and fetch. Mom says I don’t have to worry too much about the “paw” or “shake” command because when I’ve attempted it, I start to fall over, due to my long body. I need all four paws on the ground for maximum stability!

Does not love: Carrots.

Favorite store/business on the UWS: I adore Unleashed by Petco and also the Sensuous Bean coffee shop on 70th Street. The staff at the Sensuous Bean are always very good to us and I can count on getting a treat there. Mom and I also like to visit Amsterdam Wine Co. and 67 Wine together when we’re picking up something nice to pair with dinner.

Favorite treat: I like anything that is Stella and Chewy brand and I also love Trader Joe’s beef jerky. Apples and cheese are welcome any time. As a very special treat, my grandma saves the bones from steaks that she cooks and brings them over for me!

Favorite park spot: The lawns around 69th and 70th Streets in Central Park.

What do you think would be a great addition to the Upper West Side: You know what I think could be a great business opportunity? An indoor playground for dogs! There are so many cooooollld winter days. I can’t bear to think of it, now that we’re in full Spring bloom, but the winters in New York can be very harsh. I assume dog owners would agree that it can be pretty chilly standing outside on many a January and February morning and evening. I’m a young pup and there are lots of other doggos, young and old, who need to get their energy out during rainy or snowy days. Maybe the dogs-only play space could be like a gym, with classes similar to those offered at human gyms. Yoga for the mindful pups, pilates for the pups who are working to achieve that long, lean look. Then of course there could be treadmills for the pups who love to run and chase. Water aerobics for the pups who need to go easy on their knees and hips. And naturally, there would be some sort of Crossfit-esque class for pups who just love flipping tires and refrigerators, while being berated by other muscle-bound canines. You get the idea!

Read all our Pupper West Side interviews here!

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.