By Audrey Campbell
My name is Janis Joplin and I’m a two-year-old Maltese rescue pup. After two years spent searching online — regularly applying for pups only to later find out they’d already been adopted — my parents discovered me. Thank goodness they were so persistent! At the time, I was being sheltered by the Humane Society after having been rescued from a dog hoarding situation in Queens. Oh, and also back then my name was Petunia, but I think Janis Joplin is a better fit, don’t you? More “oomph” to it, which fits my personality. While I can’t claim the singer’s famously powerful mezzo-soprano vocals, I do think she and I both share a special “electric stage presence,” as Janis-the-original was once described as having.
When my parents came to see me, I looked completely different from the silky-haired little spark plug you see in front of you today. I had been neglected and it showed. My hair was terribly matted, I had weepy eyes, and my on-leash walking behavior wasn’t very good, but Mom saw something in me that tugged at her heartstrings.
A couple of weeks later, I was being whisked to a new loving home on the Upper West Side. And with just a little bit of patience and special attention, I’ve become a whole new dog. After undergoing a makeover — the groomer shaved the matted hair off so that my new silky coat could grow back and shine through — and some behavioral training, I’m positively thriving.
Each morning, Mom rises at 5:00am to enjoy some quiet time to herself. She’s a writer, so the peace and calm before sunrise supports her process. I continue snoozing until Mom peels me from the bed and announces it’s time to go to the park. By 7:00am we’re in Central Park and calling “good morning!” to other dogs and owners. I spend the next hour or two running around and enjoying off-leash time in the park.
Around 9:00am, we return home for my daily primping and maintenance. Mom gives me a quick bath to clean my paws and underbelly which pick up dirt during my rowdy morning horseplay at the park. Then she cleans around my eyes and face using a fine comb and brushes my teeth. After I’ve patiently sat through my morning beauty regimen, I’m rewarded with my favorite little bedraggled squeaky sheep toy named Bebe. Bebe made the journey with me from my prior home and continues to be a constant source of comfort and delight.
Later on, Mom will do some yoga and Bebe and I will join her on the mat for stretching and breathing exercises. My favorite sequence is downward dog into balasana and then meditation in lotus position.
One of my favorite Upper West Side haunts is Matto on Columbus Avenue between W. 86th and W. 85th. They have delicious homemade granola bars and fresh juices, among other treats. In the evenings, I like to sit outside, people watch, and enjoy a delicious Irish pub meal at St. James Gate with a heaping plate of fish and chips or shepherd’s pie. Sláinte!
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.
Great work Audrey. Keep it coming. In these times, we need more positive stories.
Lovely article and story! I know another Maltese who enjoys Central Park’s west side in the 90s.
I’m glad you’ve stuck to your old friend despite making new ones, Janis!
Bebe used to have two ears and a fluffy coat and tail.
She’s being loved to bits! Janis eschews toys that don’t squeak!
Love this feature & the cat one also.
This story is amazing and I love the makeover photo! Such a cutie! I’ve seen several posts in this forum over the years asking people to adopt dogs from shelters, and I thought there was an overabundance of animals that needed homes. I’m just wondering why it took 2 years to find Janis.
Two reasons why it took so long to find Janis:
During the pandemic’s peak, applicants flooded shelters for “companions” and, sadly, many were returned.
The application process is thorough and daunting.
Patience and perseverance are required.
It also helps when your spouse FINALLY acquiesces to adopting a pup!
Win/Win!
My dogs have always come from people I’ve known, and when there was a new litter they’d ask if I’d like another puppy. I’ve had 5 so far and 2 of them were deaf, and 1 was blind. I can’t even fathom what it would be like to care for a dog and then turn it over to a shelter. Let’s hope there are more people out there like you to rescue them. I will definitely consider adoption in the future. Thank you so much for the detailed feedback! : )
Sweet! Thank you.
I love Pupper Westside…and JJ is a particular cutie. I’ve retired out of NYC and still miss so many aspects of it…including Central Park, the UWS and St. James Gate!