By A. Campbell

Name: Waylon

Age: Three years old on Sunday! I can’t wait! I’ve tried to be on my best behavior this year in hopes of getting some birthday presents and treats, as well as some extra love from my family.

Breed: I’m a Lab/Dalmation mix.

Profile/history: Thanks to the wonderful people at The Sato Project and Animal Haven, I was rescued from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. After they found me on the streets, those kind strangers gave me some delicious food, poked and prodded me a bit, and suddenly, before I knew it, I was on an airplane for the first time in my life. Yikes!! What an experience. Eventually I was back on the ground, but by then the weather had gone from warm and balmy to downright freeeeeezing and there were enormous buildings as far as the eye could see. That’s how I arrived in New York City in February 2018. My parents saw a photo of me on Animal Haven’s website and immediately sent in their application. I was welcomed into my beautiful family – Mom, Dad, and my two sisters, Goldie and Georgia. The girls and I adore each other. I’ve become so comfortable with them, they say I act like the fifth human in the bunch!

Daily routine: Recently, our family moved from the Upper West Side to Connecticut in order to give my sisters and me some more space. Of course, the pandemic has been very hard for so many people and while I miss seeing all of my city friends, I’m still grateful to be in a nice home with my loving family. That said, I sure do miss pooping with an audience. *Sigh* It’s just not the same out here in the country with all this…privacy. Hmmph. I want to give a special shout out to all my friends at the dog park in Riverside Park and 79th Street. Hi, pups! Miss you!  I’m happy to report that I still get lots of fresh air and exercise in Connecticut too. We live near some beautiful woodsy trails and I’ll take long hikes with my Dad for about an hour and a half each day. My sisters and I romp around in the yard together multiple times each day, and then it’s another night walk with Dad around 8:00pm. Connecticut is mostly lovely, but I have to admit – the squirrel situation out here is…difficult to say the least. The New York City squirrels – I have to hand it to them – they may have been foul-mouthed but they had serious street cred and they knew their place. (Up in the trees.) These preppy Connecticut critters have some nerve. They’re constantly taunting me – it’s outrageous!

Loves: My beautiful sisters – Goldie and Georgia. I love spending time with them and being helpful with their schoolwork each day. I also love my big, soft, comfy bed. In fact, it’s such a nice bed that my parents insist on sleeping there too each evening. A bit crowded, guys, but I’ll allow it!

Does not love: That squirrel. How dare he?!?

Favorite store/business on the UWS: My favorite business on the Upper West Side was Chase Bank at 79th and Broadway. Every time I visited there was a bowl full of savory biscuits waiting in the window.

Favorite treat: Rotisserie chicken, please!! But, if we’re out of chicken, I will also accept prosciutto and the occasional well-seasoned sneaker.

Favorite park spot: Riverside Park and 79th Street. I loved to visit just before 9:00am when my friends and I could run around off-leash. Sending all Pupper West Siders my warmest wishes for their health and safety!

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