By A. Campbell
Good morning, pups. Today is a special edition of our weekly Pupper West Side column in which I want to pay tribute to its late creative and editorial director and my long-time companion, Mr. Pupper West Side. Mr. Pupper West Side — known to close friends and family as Manny — passed away on his own last week in his Upper West Side apartment with his loved ones by his side to comfort him.
Manny was a 15.5-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who I was lucky to be with all his life. And for such a little dog, Manny led a big life. A small white dog with an outsized personality, Manny was many things: a scamp, a lovebug, a robust athlete, an evil genius, a protector and defender, a gentleman, a happy little critter, and a neighborhood fixture. (I am proud to share that Manny was profiled in the West Side Rag not once but twice!)
Maintaining the characteristic Jack Russell Terrier energy and agility into his early teenage years, Manny’s favorite thing was playing fetch. And the farther the throw, the better. He loved nothing more than sprinting after a tennis ball and proudly racing back with it. We could often be found on the sloping grass lawn at Central Park West and 86th Street, playing a relay race of fetch with the help of two different tennis balls until Manny was worn out and decided it was time to trot home, panting hard, still holding onto the ball while his tongue hung out the side of his mouth.
Never one to be left out, Manny embraced travel. Planes, trains, cars, or the subway – he loved it all. Whether he was leading the way on a five-hour hike in Vail, Colorado; scrambling up boulders in Acadia National Park; or peeking over the rocks at a waterfall in New Hampshire, Manny was always game for a new adventure. Over his lifetime, Manny visited Texas, Colorado, New Hampshire, Maine, New Jersey, Illinois, New Mexico, Utah, and California.
A social butterfly, Manny loved meeting children and adults – anyone who was ready to pet his soft head. When we weren’t grabbing coffee at Da Capo; picking up a delicious pastry at Epices, or browsing the bookshelves at The Strand, we were taking long walks with friends through Riverside Park and Central Park.
As he grew old and frail, Manny struggled to keep up with the busy pace of foot traffic in the city, so I purchased a stroller for him. Yes, a doggy stroller. And while I received my fair share of raised eyebrows and scoffs from passersby, the clear joy and comfort that the stroller provided him was enough to convince me that it was more important to focus on his happiness and quality of life rather than any stranger’s opinion. (I remained inspired by Ann Patchett’s essays about her own devotion to and stroller purchase for her late dog, Rose.) With the help of that stroller — perhaps the best $85 I ever spent — I’m proud to say Manny continued to live Upper West Side life to the fullest until the end.
New York City is a special place where so many people understand inherently that dogs are family. Pupper West Side was inspired by my relationship with Manny and by the many wonderful neighbors and dog owners we have met during our time together. I’m deeply grateful to this community for embracing the two of us and I look forward to continuing to document the colorful lives of other Pupper West Siders like him.
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.
Condolences on your loss. May happy memories sustain you at this difficult time. Thank you for posting this lovely tribute and all the adorable pictures. A life well lived indeed!
Beautiful tribute to a very special and much loved boy. Thank you to Manny for inspiring Pupper West Side. Sending much love, hugs and doggie kisses.
Lovely tribute to a fantastic dog. Sending you my deepest condolences, cuddles, scratches and licks.
Thank you for sharing. No matter how many years we have with our furbabies, it’s never enough. They ask for so little and give so, so much.
The life of sweet Manny beautifully reflected the love and care so many West Siders give their pups. He was a precious, spirited boy, who provided a treasure trove of fond memories to all who knew him. We will dearly miss you, Manny. Happy travels and ball chasing in the hereafter!!
There is nothing like the heartache of losing your dog. May Manny rest in peace. Sending you love and light 💕
I am so sorry for your loss. You gave him a wonderful life, and I’m sure he knew it.
So sorry for your loss. May you find peace in remembering the wonderful memories you shared.
All my condolences.
RIP Manny. He sounds like a wonderful boy. I used to be one of those that scoffed at doggy strollers. Now that I have a pup — who, hopefully, will be spry for many more years — I wouldn’t hesitate for a second if I thought it would make his time even a bit more pleasant. My condolences.
So sorry for your loss :((.
Manny knew how much he was loved. He loved you back twice as much.
Aww, what a lovely, lovable dog Manny was. Is — in our hearts forever. Thank you for sharing this moving reminiscence. And so sorry for your loss. If only our animal companions could live as long as we do….
Thinking of you. How lucky we get to be (whether two or four legs) that all our paths get to cross!
The community of Central Park, the UWS and your posts are what Hazel and I miss most about NYC.
❤️
Manny’s essence and personality come through in this lovely profile—I am so sorry for your recent loss of him—so recent and so painful—my beloved cat died at home last September and it is a kind of gift that they aren’t in fear on a stainless steel table at the vet after a hurried trip from their home—looks like Manny had a great long life with you and was quite a guy!
Sending our deepest condolences. Manny sounds like an absolutely wonderful soul and your life together, a gift. One of our favorite memories with our pup, was being interviewed by you for Pupper westside in 2020
. RIP Manny❤️
I am truly touched by your memories of Manny. Having gone through this sadness more times than I want to count I believe we are so blessed, beyond measure, to share our lives with these amazing souls. I have only had rescue dogs and cats in my life and their innate gratitude for being saved is apparent in so many ways. Raising a glass and a tribute to Manny.
What a heart warming story of Pupper West Side aka Manny!!!
I fell in love with Manny reading this loving, touching tribute, and seeing the sweet, vibrant pictures of him–what a wonderful, spirited boy and source of deep joy! My heart goes out to you in this painful time, I will think of him whenever I read the delightful Pupper West Side column he inspired.