By A. Campbell
Good Tuesday morning! I’m Penny, a nine-year-old Havanese who has lived on West 68th Street my entire life. Actually, my full name is Penelope Liz Lemon and like my namesake, I, too, have an obsession with snacks. Snacks are a recurring theme in the digital newsletter that I write and edit for family and friends chronicling my exciting life on the Upper West Side.
My mom, a Columbia Journalism School grad, serves as the dedicated editor for my newsletter, offering her keen eye for fact-checking and grammar. I’ve got the reporter’s instinct for observation and I enjoy sitting quietly on a bench and watching my neighbors go about their daily routines.
In addition to reporting on general neighborhood news, I like to think I’m also a top notch food critic – a Pete Wells-type, if you will. In my opinion, the best mornings begin with coffee from Solid State. Not only do they serve high voltage caffeine beverages, Solid State also makes their own granola and pastries, which I can never pass up. My standard order is a double espresso with a variety of croissants or one of their mouthwateringly-delicious egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches.
After a hearty breakfast, Mom and I will head back to our apartment for some work. Mom works a hybrid schedule, and when she’s working from home, you can find me next to her providing dutiful administrative support by taking meeting notes, ordering office supplies (squeaky toys and chewy bones), and managing her schedule. At the end of each day, I let her know when it’s time to close the laptop and head outside for our post-work Central Park exercise and sunshine. Afterward, we might stop at Epices bakery to pick up a delicious French baked treat before heading to my favorite place — the Lincoln Center fountain. If you ask me, Lincoln Center is one of the best things the neighborhood has to offer. Have you checked out their 2023 “Summer for the City” programming yet? Kicking off on June 14th, there will be social dances, Mozart concerts, silent discos, and much more. See you there!
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.
Oh my goodness, you’re so bright-eyed and off-the-charts adorable, Penny! I loved reading about your reportorial and epicurean projects (laughed with delight at your essential “office supplies” and familiarity with Pete Wells!) Épices and Lincoln Center are among my all-time favorite places too, I’m so happy to hear that Summer for the City is returning–it would be a joy to see you there! Thanks as ever to Audrey for this sweet and spirited portrait–such endearing pictures too!☺️
I have a soft spot for Venchi too, Penny.
What a cutie pie! Love to ❤️ meet you one day!