By Audrey Campbell
Ahem, are we recording? One sec, let me just straighten my neckerchief. Ok, ready!
My name is Simon and I’m a 3-year-old cattle dog, basset hound mix rescue from Hearts & Bones Animal Rescue located in Dallas, Texas. I may be fairly new to the city, but I’ve made myself right at home in no time. Any day of the week, you’ll find me in Riverside Park quietly gazing at flowers or getting rowdy with my friends in the dog runs.
Before I arrived, Mom knew she wanted to adopt an adult rescue dog, but she wanted to make sure it was the right fit. She started fostering for Hearts & Bones in summer 2021 and she helped several pups find their forever homes before I came along. [Hearts & Bones transport all the dogs from TX to NYC for fostering and adoption.]
I’ll admit it was love at first sight for both of us. Fireworks! Lightining! The whole tamale. If it wasn’t already clear from my Instagram page, we’re practically inseparable and we have so many interests in common. We both love reading, taking long walks around the city, and bagels. We. Love. Bagels. And I’m absolutely obsessed with Zabar’s. My classic order is an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, lox, capers. *Smacks* Delish!
Mom and I are also passionate about volunteering and advocacy on behalf of others, whether that means serving as ambassadors for dog adoption, advocating for women’s reproductive rights, or encouraging our fellow New Yorkers to vote and take an active role in every local election. Which reminds me – are you registered to vote this year? Mark your calendars for November 8, 2022!
Of course, fostering and dog rescue is very near and dear to my heart. It makes me sad to recognize that there is often such a huge misconception about the kinds of dogs that are sitting in shelters, waiting to be taken home. There are so many fantastic pups out there. And if you’re interested in getting a dog, but unsure about which one might be best for you, fostering can be a great way to explore that and to better understand what kind of dog best suits you.
A few months ago we hosted Dave, a young foster puppy from Hearts & Bones, while he waited to be adopted. It was such a blast escorting him around town, showing him the sights, and introducing him to all my friends. While it can be quite emotional to say goodbye to a foster pup, volunteers provide an invaluable service by giving adoptable dogs a safe, loving home; helping to socialize them with people and other dogs; and preparing them to move seamlessly into their forever homes when the times comes.
When I’m not raising awareness for important causes, you can usually find me with my nose in a good book. I’ll wander down to Shakespeare & Co to check out their selection of new arrivals and grab a quick snack. They have delicious dog treats behind the counter! At the moment, I’m very into Tana French mystery novels, but I’m also well-versed in the classics. Sometimes when I’m picking up fresh flowers for the apartment, I’ll imagine that I’m Mrs. Dalloway.
And I simply cannot get enough of Central Park. It’s glorious! The verdant green lawns, the sumptuous homemade picnics, the skyline views. If Mom and I are walking east across Amsterdam Avenue, I begin high-stepping it as much as my little stumps will allow in a desperate attempt to get to the park. Now that it’s October, I can’t wait to partake in fall foliage leaf-peeping. Stop and say hello when you see me around town!
Read all of our Pupper West Side interviews here!
If you think your pup deserves a shot at neighborhood fame, we encourage you to reach out to Audrey at pupperwestsideuws@gmail.com to be considered for a future profile on West Side Rag and follow your fellow Pupper West Sider’s adventures on Instagram @pupper_west_side_uws If 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.
Thank you, Simon, for being such a great ambassador for adoption and to Simon’s mom for spreading awareness about the magic of fostering. Our representatives on the City Council must invest more resources in ACC NY’s foster program. Too many dogs enter our city shelters only to then become stressed and anxious– and often sick — which makes them less likely to be adopted and more likely to be euthanized. Euthanasia is tragically the default when dogs are simply responding naturally to this terribly unnatural environment. We need more fosters to allow the dogs to decompress and find their best selves in loving home environments so that they can go on to land their forever homes.
Yes, and we need the Adoption Ctr announced in Jan of 2015 for ACC @ 110th St to be open.
Not the fault of ACC, DOH is the owner, ACC the operator. But ACC does have mobile adoption vans that sit unused. Meanwhile Euthanasia continues.
Hearts & Bones is a lovely rescue, one of the two organizations I worked with when finding my own dog. Welcome to NYC, Simon, just stay away from the alliums!
Great story. Thanks for adopting and fostering. There are great rescue pups out there of all ages and sizes. Plenty people say they don’t want to rescue b/c they’re mutts or have issues, but check out Petfinder.com. There are oodles of doodles on there (designer mutts:-)), Shih tzus, Yorkies, and other full breeds, many of whom were pandemic puppies or breeder surrenders, as well as all manner of Heinz 57 pups.. And for the record, there is nothing wrong with mutts or dogs that have issues. It is very rewarding to seeing a dog change and grow when given the chance and a good home!
What lovely smiley doggos! Thanks for the story and these fun pics, Pupper West Side.
— “My classic order is an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese,…”
Everything bagel, as with onions and garlic? And then add scallions?
These are universally known to be poisonous to dogs. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-onions/ ; https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-onions ; https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/onion-garlic-chive-and-leek-toxicity-in-dogs ; https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/onion .
These “pupper”stories are cute, and I’m sure that “Mom” meant no harm, but please be careful that this feature doesn’t inadvertently spread bad (or worse) advice about carrying for pets.
Do you think Simon also picks out flowers himself?
I came here to say the exact same thing. Maybe Mom eats this one and Simon just gets a plain bagel with a schmear? At least, I hope so.
Welcome to the neighborhood, Simon! And thank you to your mom for rescuing you (I adopted two rescue cats). Looking forward to following your IG page!
But please tell your mom not to feed you onions, garlic or scallions. They’re poisonous to doggies (and cats).
So nice to meet you, Simon! I loved your lively, literary piece for the Rag (with a major assist from your wonderful mom!), and share your boundless enthusiasm for Zabar’s, Central and Riverside Parks, and Shakespeare & Co.! Adorable, touching pictures too, it was good of you to show sweeet young newcomer Dave around before he too found his forever home. Three cheers for you, Hearts & Bones–and the Rag’s thoroughly delightful Pupper West Side!