Pupper West Side: Teddy is a Literary Critic with a Love for Cherry Trees

Name: Teddy

Age: 2 years old.

Breed: Bichon Shih Tzu. One could accurately describe my breed as “small teddy bear”.

Profile/history: Mom really wanted to adopt a dog and she had been searching for one for more than a year, but they would often be adopted before she could submit her application materials. Finally, we found each other. I was just a puppy and I had tons of energy and personality when we met. Still do! Mom is also very warm and outgoing, so between the two of us we’ve cultivated a great group of local friends, both canine and human.

Daily routine: I’m pretty lazy in the mornings. Mom is up first and milling about the apartment for an hour and a half or so before we head out on our morning walk. We’ll meet up with our group of friends and spend an hour and a half in Central Park. After I’ve worked up a healthy appetite, we sit down on a bench for breakfast in the park – kibble and liver treats for me, since Mom has usually already had her breakfast of fruit and coffee at home. Later I’ll snooze while Mom gets some work done. She’s a writer and I’ve become quite the editor and literary critic, offering my astute observations whenever needed. I have a tendency to make my opinions about various literary works known based on what I do or don’t chew up. For instance, Mom was reading through the series of Karl Ove Knausgård’s “My Struggle” and I decided to chew up the fourth book. Blech! Not my favorite. On the weekends we’ll run errands together and we’ll stop by the dry cleaner, liquor store, and the bank where they always have tasty treats. Not the library though…and in my case, that’s probably for the best.

Loves: Meeting people and other dogs, as well as eating up as many vegetables as I can get my paws on.

Does not love: Loud motorcycles or souped-up cars that sound like they’re backfiring. Positively frightening and completely unnecessary noise!

Favorite store/business on the UWS: I love stopping by PetCo whenever we have the chance. The smells of treats and toys are overwhelming and I can usually count on Mom to pick me up a little surprise.

Favorite treat: Frozen string beans.

Favorite park spot: There are numerous cherry trees planted along both the east and west sides of the Reservoir in Central Park. My favorite spot to stroll in the Spring is the dirt path along the west side that is lined with cherry blossom trees. It’s peaceful and a little bit hidden, and when the trees are in bloom it is absolutely breathtaking.

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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; Animal Care Centers of NYC; NYC ASPCA; Humane Society of New York; Bideawee; Social Tees; Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue and Animal Haven.