By A. Campbell

Hi there! I’m Molly, a three-and-a-half-year-old chocolate lab. Based on the color of my coat, I like to describe myself as a dark chocolate lab – you know, the heart-healthy kind! My sister, Ellie, is more of a milk chocolate lab. She lives with my grandparents in Westchester and we’re very close.

And speaking of heart health, I love to stay active by taking long, exploratory walks around Central Park every morning between 7am and 9am. Each day, my Mom and I will head into the park at the 72nd Street entrance and make our way south toward Le Pain Quotidien. After a quick stop to pick up coffee and a croissant, I’ll be treated to a tasty bite of flaky pasty before we continue onward. We’ll pass by the Balto statue and pay our respects to a brave canine hero before winding around and heading toward the sailboat pond. I might do a little thoughtful gazing into the reflecting pool before we change direction and head toward Bethesda Fountain. Summer seems like a distant memory these days, but there’s nothing better than a quick dip in Bethesda Fountain to cool my paws after a hot morning walk in July or August.

My parents say I’ve really brought them into the community of Upper West Side friends and fellow dog-owners. We’ve met so many wonderful people out on our walks. Between our morning walks, playtime at the 72nd Street dog run in Riverside Park and days spent at Camp Canine, I’ve collected a great gang of friends including Perry, Lizzo, Simon, Willa, and Callie.

Friends and family know me as a clotheshorse and a bit of a shopaholic. I have a weakness for bandanas — such a uniformly flattering accessory! I’m inspired by effortlessly chic French women for whom scarves are an absolute must. I like to coordinate what I’m wearing with the seasons. Spring pastels, vivid summer florals, muted autumnal yellows and oranges, and splashy reds and greens for the holidays. This year, I received a beautiful holiday gift from my friend Simon’s mom, Sophie, who made me a scarf with my name embroidered on it.

One of my favorite local watering holes is Pet Market on 72nd Street. I’ll absolutely refuse to walk by unless we first go inside and check out what’s new in the store. I’ve also made friends with a gentleman who sits outside our corner bodega and generously offers me ice cubes or little treats. At the end of a long day of walking and snacking, I like to take my toys and burrow under my parent’s bed. I’ll assemble a nest of toys and pillows and tuck in for a cozy’s night’s sleep.

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.