By A. Campbell
Oh hi, hey, hello! I’m Alfie and I’m a happy, squirmy little 11-month old Jack Russell Terrier. So squirmy, in fact, that my parents came up with the Instagram account name @alfie_wigglebottom – fitting, don’t you think? Next month, I’ll be celebrating my first birthday on December 23rd AND my first Christmas two days later. By the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, I’ll be so partied out that I’ll have no choice but to snuggle up on the couch for a night of popcorn and a good movie.
In fact, I’m a bit of a film connoisseur. I love to watch all kinds of movies with my parents, including animated films and especially any movie featuring animals. Honorable mention goes to the great group of Jack Russell Terriers who have appeared in TV and film over the years including Eddie from Frasier, J’accuse from Lupin, and Wishbone. And of course, a special shout out to our fearless neighborhood mascot and resident senior, Mr. Pupper West Side!
When I’m not absorbed in cinema, I love exploring the neighborhood. Each morning, Mom and I take a walk together in Central Park and we’ll head over to the Great Lawn or wander through the Ramble. With characteristic Jack Russell intelligence and persistence, I enjoy playing fetch and learning new tricks. So far, I’ve mastered sit, lay down, sit up, and high five and I’m currently working on perfecting my spin. I’ve become so good at sit up, that I’ll frequently pop up like a little meerkat when my parents are watching TV or eating dinner to indicate that I’d like some attention, please.
My friendly demeanor and smile has made it easy for me to make friends. Loki, Nelly, Roux, not to mention every doorman up and down West 86th Street. One of my best friends is our neighbor, Cooper, a Great Dane. We make an adorable odd couple because, even by Great Dane standards, Cooper is a giant. The two of us will play and if I get home and I’m still really wound up, my parents will resort to their special trick of putting a little knit sweater on me. This sweater, I’m telling you, it’s magic. It casts a spell where I suddenly get warm and comfy…and then…very..very..sleepy…zzzzZZZZzzzzzzz…
On the weekends, if we stay in the neighborhood, I gravitate toward local stores and restaurants like West Side Wine, Tiki Bar, and Burrito Bar. When an adventurous mood strikes, I’ll hop on the subway with my parents and head downtown to walk around the West Village and Soho. Keep an eye out for me around town and make sure to stop and give me a gentle head pat!
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 at @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
Adorable!
— “So far, I’ve mastered sit, lay down, sit up, and high five”
Unless the pup is installing carpet, perhaps his next trick should be “lie down”.
I’d pat your head any day, Alfie!
I wish my life were as exciting and fulfilling as Alfie’s! He’s a lucky dog.
OMG this adorable fella that observes movies should be in the them! Alfie has such Charisma and adorable looks and he’s a quick trick learner. Would love to someday run into him and his Owner and get to see in person his Meerkat trick, that would surely make my day!
Thank you Westside rag for the Westside Pupper and Westside Mews columns – they are so entertaining and fast becoming my favorite column here! Looking forward to the next cutie pie pet vignette.
This pup is too adorable for words, hope my beagle & I meet you someday in CP.
Everything about him is cute…including his name! Hope you have a wonderful life together.
It would be great if you could profile a shelter dog every week. Dogs are put down every day in NYC because they don’t have a home. I know you put that little tag line at the end, but by then it’s too late.