Aspen

Aspen is an 11-month-old Siberian Husky who is often mistaken by foolish Harlem-dwellers for a wolf, fox, coyote or (ready for this?) werewolf. (yes, really.) She's extremely well-behaved and a total couch potato inside the house, but once off-leash time rolls around, her mischevious streak pops up. She loves nothing more than to snatch up great mouthfuls of grass under her disapproving owner's nose and sheepishly returns to face the inevitable post grass-eating time out... once she's swallowed down her "treat"!


Despite her impish tendencies, she's friendly, charming, and well-renowned for her talkative, howling ways & never forgets a person once she's met them, if even only one time. She's always a huge hit at the nursing home where her owner's grandmother lives and will be starting therapy dog training soon. Aspen is likely more well-traveled than some people; she was born in Missouri before relocating with her mother and littermates to Western Pennsylvania. From there she arrived in NYC in January 2011 after a complicated relay road trip with stops in Buffalo and Elmira. Her favorite pasttimes include playdates with her doggy friends & their 20-something owners and doing tricks in hopes that something edible will come her way.

**owned by Nzhinga**

Pierre

This is the story of Pierre Elliot Trudeau, no… not the former Canadian Prime Minister but the equally adored Saint Bernard Mix who is the talk of Columbus Avenue. Known by his closest buddies as PJ, Peejmeister and Lil’ P, his always sunny and social personality often rub off on everyone around him.


Originally rescued from Virginia, he was brought to New York where North Shore Animal Shelter gave him a temporary home. He was featured at an adoption event at the Union Square Petco one Sunday afternoon; it remains unclear if it was his crimped afro or his lovable smile but his owners instantly fell in love and gave him a new home.


Pierre is often seen strolling the Upper West Side howling at fire trucks, chasing squirrels, eating rocks, and socializing in Central Park. He enjoys all the neighborhoods best restaurants while people watching and meeting new friends on the patios. Pierre’s vacation time consists of taking road trips to the beach
and jumping the ocean waves, then digging his nose in the sand! At home, Pierre insists on shaking your hand and giving a lick immediately upon arriving home and is crazy about his high-fives! Like every puppy he has his mischievous moments, but his adorable smile and one-eyed wink usually ensure quick forgiveness, and a whole lot of treats.


**owned by Rahul and Milica**

Aza

Aza first set her wild golden eyes on her person on a street called HaShalom. "Dog!" said person (thank you New York preschools.) "Mama?" replied Aza and happily followed her person home. From milk teeth, floppy ears and dopy legs came old world fangs, proud pharaonic ears and long statuesque legs. She looks as if she stepped out of an Egyptian temple and into that Negev Desert, which gave her her sandy colors, disdain for being wet, love for rolling in rotting sheep skins and innards, and taste for sun-dried stray-cat cacas ("It's like tootsie rolls, Ma.") She has a racing stripe that doubles as a mohawk and isn't afraid to use it if you go near her lady donut parts. She is highly intelligent and agile - she can jump 4 feet high from standing and can take out a pigeon midair and hide the body in a flower pot without any evidence. She is working on overcoming her fear of the MTA, oceans and Korean ladies with Furminators. Aza loves sunbathing, belly rubs, cats, men, running, and pouncing after animals with fluffy tails. When chasing furry woodland creatures, she often looks like a deer, thus Aza's name, a modified form of the Arabic word for gazelle, ghazal. 'Aza' is also the Hebrew word used in the phrase "love is stronger than death." Indeed, she is full of love and sincerity. She recently immigrated with her person to NYC via Switzerland.

Breed: Pharaoh Hound mix (not a dingo)
BFF: Helix the hyena pitt hound
Secret Crush: Sam for his dreamy black fluffy tail
One wish: World peace
Alternate wish: a kitty to call her very own


**owned by Vina**

Bear

Bear has the sturdy grace, intelligence, intense loyalty and drive to please for which German Shepherds are justly celebrated. But in other ways he is endearingly different from the breed with which he shares more than a few genes. He's not so serious; he smiles. He’s confident but not imperious.  At his water bowl, he drinks sloppy. He’ll roll over on his back and shamelessly angle for a pet. At age six, he loves stuffed toys as much as any puppy.

The early hand Bear was dealt in life was not a lucky one. Relief from the neglect and abuse came on a bitter cold February day in 2007 in upstate New York, when authorities rescued him and took him to the Sullivan County SPCA.  Adopted a few days later, everything in his life changed, except his name.  Now, he loves playing with his friends, walking in the park, riding in the convertible, swimming in the lake, taming the sprinkler, bounding through the snow, chasing a deer, resting idly on the couch.

And asked if his nose make his ass look fat, Bear replied, “Look, I'm an alpha male. Let’s just say I don’t hear many complaints from the bitches."


**owned by Jeff**

Roxie

As we all know, Roxie Doo Bouvier McCaffery Braverman is the greatest living creature of our generation.  Most even question her mortality, and billions the world over worship her immortal beauty, grace and wisdom. We all know of her legendary romances with Elvis, John Lennon and Marlyn Monroe.  Every school boy and girl can recount how she single-pawedly defeated Hitler, tore down the Berlin Wall and destroyed the Death Star.  Her contribution to the sciences is unparalleled, she has won over 1,000,000,000 olympic gold metals, her face is on coins in every country in the world and her smile cures cancer.  

Yes, she is now celebrated the world over by Christians as the Second Coming of Jesus, by Muslims as the Mighty White Sheik and by Hindus as the Great 65-armed, 55-head, 25-tailed Goddess. But, Roxie came from humble beginnings.  She was born Roxie Lee Bouvier in Southampton, New York, to Wall Street stock broker John Vernou Bouvier III (also known as "Black Jack Bouvier") and Janet Norton Lee. The Bouviers divorced in 1940 with Janet Bouvier later marrying Standard Oil heir Hugh D. Auchincloss, Jr. in 1942. 

When she was a teenager, she met Robert LeRoy Parker, better known as Butch Cassidy, and moved with him and his Wild Bunch Gange to Hole in the Wall, Wyoming.   After pursuing a career in crime for several years in the United States, the pressures of being pursued, notably by the Pinkerton Detective Agency, forced the couple to flee with an accomplice, Harry Alonzo Longabaugh, known as the Sundance Kid.  They first fled to Argentina and then to Bolivia, where she invented Tacos, Salsa, the Tango, the Forbidden Dance, the Macarana and rainbows.

Bored with this romance, she turned her focus to military conquest.  Because at the time West Point did not admit African Americans, females or dogs as cadets, she joined the Army under the pseudonymous name, George Smith Patton.  After achieving the rank of General, she personally chased Adolf Hitler down. Upon capturing him, she gave him such a big wedgie that his testicles remain permanently lodged in his throat.  

After her defeat of the Nazis, the French asked her to serve as their eternal empress.  But, she soon turned her attention back to the United States. Upon her return, she was aghast at the racial discrimination she saw.  Despite having white fur, Roxie is in fact an African American dog.  She turned her gorgeous other cheek to violence, and instead adopted the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.   This culminated in a 1963 march on Washington, D.C. where she delivered her famous "I Have A Dream" speech.

Having single handedly united the races, Roxie proceeded to be the first dog on the moon, invented a Time Machine after dreaming about a mysterious "flux capacitor" and now resides in Harlem with her lifemate Dylan Braverman.

Sam

Samson "Sam" the Dog is a purebred Black Fluffy Mutt. In Sept 2004, when he was about 1-year-old, Sam adopted his parents Sherri and Brett from New Yorkers for Companion Animals (www.nyca.net), for which they are forever grateful. Sam is a gentleman and a lover, and he shows his particular fondness for Jen by licking his chops every time he sees her. Sam also loves squirrels and turtles, and despite his gentle soul he won't hesitate to bare his teeth in defense of a favorite Cuz or gorilla toy.


**owned by Sherri and Brett**

Bebop

Bebop is from a rare New York City breed: the Jazzhound. Although he was rescued in East Harlem, Bebop is an Upper West Side dog living near Duke Ellington Blvd. Bebop loves all types of music, but like his legendary drumming owner, he's a cool cat when it comes to jazz. He happily shares his apartment with a full drum kit, and sits on his owner's lap while he rehearses. Bebop loves crashing cymbals, booming bass drum, women and the occasional table scraps. He hates all squirrels, and wouldn't mind having a pet cat.


**owned by Barry**

Ginger

Ginger, aka G-dog, Gingerbread, Gingerama, Gingerpalooza, or just plain “G”, is a 2-year old pit bull/shepherd mix who met her forever family at an Adopt-a-thon in Washington Square Park.  Her people fell in love with her soulful, intelligent eyes and disproportionately large ears. We think she receives intergalactic messages through them, some would say “she hears dead people.” Ginger is an exuberant student of life -- an energetic playmate of dogs, children and grow-ups alike, an avid tennis ball chaser/chewer, a steadfast guard dog, an intrepid explorer (especially if there is food involved) and a sweet and tolerant sibling of Lady MacDuff, the cat.  She is also an escape artist – she can open the front door and leave the apartment.  Ginger likes long walks, meeting new people and dogs, roughhousing, chasing birds and squirrels, guarding her family members, especially when they sit on the toilet, and anything with peanut butter on it or in it.  Ginger dislikes neighbors who do laundry early in the morning, motorcycles, bathing and water in general, being cooped up indoors, and anyone who does not shower her with attention.


**owned by Anna and Mark**

Lulu

Lulu Belle Esmerelda is a 6 year old cocker spaniel. 


Her favorite activities: flirting with the 'boys', chasing squirrels, obsessing over tennis balls, hanging out under the bed, being a nervous nilly, snuggling.


She hearts: travelling with 'mom', Central Park before 9 & after 9, baby carrots, frozen peas, apple slices, cow knee caps, bones to chew on, any random wadded up piece of napkin or white paper.


**owned by Suzie**

Milo

Milo is a Chorkie (Yorkie and Chihuahua mix). He was given to his owner when he was 1 1/2 years old by a family who could not have pets in their new condo. He is now almost 4, but everyone who looks at him, especially kids & tourists, refer to him as "Look at the puppy". Milo's favorite hobby is trying to hump other male dogs regardless of size, but the way his owner see it, Milo was born to be on top.


**owned by Joe**

Belle

Belle, formally known as Bluebelle, is six years old and hails from the New Haven, CT area. Her mother, Snap, holds many medals in obedience trials; Belle has not taken up this family activity as of yet. Belle began life in New York as a companion to Brunhilde, an 11-year old Airedale known for her curmudgeonly ways. Perhaps because of this, Belle is especially drawn to senior canines and is a cheerful, always up sort of girl. In fact, Belle likes everyone and everything except ceiling fans, vacuum cleaners, luggage carts, hoses (both water and air) and leaf blowers. She holds a special animosity towards manual lawnmowers. Belle collects Beanie Babies - her favorite one is the Puffin - and she has a feline's fascination with laser pointers. Belle loves swimming, especially when she can try and catch pebbles thrown out onto the water. Her favorite meal (after meat) is pizza crust. 


**owned by Francine, Fernando and Harry**

Fitz

Fitz is a 3-year old Red Heeler and Lab mix originally from Arizona. He is named after the great Larry Fitzgerald from the Arizona Cardinals and loves to go the park to play with other dogs and often his favorite ball. Fitz spends his free time sleeping, trying to chase squirrels in Central Park, or watching football with his owners.


**owned by Brad**

Lucy

Lucy is a crazy red-headed mutt who loves to run wild on the Great Hill.  Her favorite activities involve wrestling with her friends, digging for worms, and jumping on unsuspecting humans who are already dressed for work.  It's a good thing that Lucy has a ridiculously soft coat and adorable smile or else her owners might not forgive her so easily for being such a crazy girl!


**owned by Kelly and Eliseo**

Zoey

Zoey Maria was found living in a pizza box after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and was taken home only to find that she had fleas, worms and a passion for destruction. At 4 months old she annihilated an entire couch in one day, right down to the staples. But, she was loveable anyways.

Zoey’s internal monologue is set to the voice of Rosie Perez. She is a world traveler, an aggressive cuddler, a fierce insect hunter and hater of cats and nail cutting. Her best friend is a rubber lady bug that she carried home from the park, she loves to eat things off the street and when she’s feeling particularly wily, she’ll kick up her leg and pee like a boy. If you need a laugh, give her a stack of pillows and watch her arrange them into a bed or stare at the white patch on her chest until it starts to resemble a flattened squirrel.

**owned by Laurén**

Guy

If the art of moping can truly be perfected, then this is Guy's life's work.  His devotion to this task is so thorough that no amount of scratches or treats can distract him for very long.  His attempts to project his own constant, all-consuming existential dread are hampered slightly by an incurable case of Disgustingly Cute Face Syndrome, which causes absolutely no one to take him seriously for long.  


**owned by Stella**

Lupe

At just 10 1/2 weeks, Guadalupe "Lupe" rescued her first human, Blake, from the CACC (Center for Animal Care & Control) in East Harlem.  She continued her human rights efforts in the aftermath of September 11th, delivering supplies to the triage center at Chelsea Piers and comforting the friends and family members who lost loved ones from her stoop across from the 26th Street Armory.  After a long layover in Texas (to allow her rabies anti-virus test to develop) she joined her human in Australia, where she did a stint in quarantine, then got out in time to be in Blake's wedding as the ring-bearing-flower dog.  She is the only canine who received special permission from the City of Sydney to be allowed in the Sydney Botanical Gardens for the ceremony.  Alas, the marriage didn't take, and Lupe is now an ex-dog...However, she remains close to her former human and occasionally Skypes him...She repatriated along with her original human, Blake--first to Texas, then to Los Angeles.  Lupe has now returned to the beloved streets of NYC from which she came!

Lupe has participated in numerous peace marches and AIDS Walks, has ridden shotgun on many road trips, and has friends throughout the world.  She has supported her human during a terrorist attack, immigration, marriage, divorce, at least 4 earthquakes (including the one in NYC) and, more recently, a hurricane.  

At age 13, she encourages younger pups to "Look beyond people's bad behavior and into the eyes of each and every human being.  You will see a soul in need of rescue!"...

**owned by Blake**

Bubba

Bubba is an 11 year old, 145 pound Leonberger.  After starring in 'Show and Tell' in his girls' preschool classes he has continued on in a demanding and  successful career of protecting his  two girls, now 10 and 12 years old.  His favorite past time is shedding. Fans can still see Bubba on the Great Hill from time to time.  He keeps a low profile and autograph seekers are discouraged.


**owned by Laurie**

Lucy Lou

Lucy Lou was rescued from a parking lot in Brooklyn by a couple of very caring Hispanic ladies.  Her first language was Spanish and she still responds to commands (my mom's neighbor tested her on this).  They placed her with a school teacher on the Upper Westside.  She was mortal enemies with Gracie (renowned for the one ear up one ear down look).  But  after Gracie died and Lucy Lou's mommy decided to get married and move to the Galapagos, it just made sense that she move in and take over for Gracie.  Thus she is the ruler of 101st Street (and she now is mortal enemies with all dogs who move into her building without her permission).  She holds title to the northwest corner of Central Park but allows dogs and humans and raccoons and squirrels, etc. to share as long as they show proper respect to the Park.


**owned by Valerie**

Porter

Porter Weizen Doppelbock is a Border Collie/German Shepherd/shelter mystery from Bloomington, Indiana. After kicking his country boy habits and adjusting to his itty bitty living space, he learned to love NY and can often be found strutting around Harlem sporting his NY Mets or Baltimore Ravens collars. Porter enjoys jumping on his favorite people, chewing on mulch, leaping through snow mounds and acting tragic. His dislikes include furniture, eating before his four cats inspect his food, and turnips. Porter aspires to be a peanut-butter taste tester or shag carpet inspector when he grows up. 


**owned by Jackie and Ian**

LT

LT (short for Lawrence Taylor) is a 3 year old American Staffordshire Terrier. His owner found him on Craigslist where he had been rescued from a shelter and was being fostered by an owner of a tiny dog.  Since LT's owner was already a tiny dog owner looking he knew LT would be a great fit.  LT is a giant cuddly dog and will contort his body in whatever way possible just to rest his head on you. As indicated by his name, he spends his Sunday's watching NY Giants games with his owner, and always wears his NY Giants collar to show his pride.

**owned by Chris**