The Dogist

Bear, my first dog, my soul dog, she changed who I was as a person. I think having a dog makes you very self-aware, very present in the moment. Teaches you love, compassion, a peace that I don’t think you understand unless you’ve had the love of a dog.” Rescues via @rescuedogsrocknyc

Lila, Pembroke Welsh Corgi (2 y/o), 19th & Irving Place, New York, NY • “She’s lovely to have. She used to live in New Jersey and she actually just moved to the city a week and a half ago. She’s still adjusting but she loves it here. She likes the people and she gets to see so many dogs. She just wiggles her booty around.”

Lily, Pit Bull mix (5 y/o), Gramercy Park, New York, NY • “She loves people; she’s a little selective with dogs. Unfortunately we lost two of her younger brothers over the past year and a half, so we’ve been fostering with @muddypawsrescue. She’s definitely one of those that can’t be an alone dog. I’ve always had rescue dogs since I became an adult. I took a little hiatus because I had my kids. Now I’m back to being a dog mom and helping rescue other dogs, especially Pit Bulls, because we know how stigmatized they are. She’s my first one after not having one for 10 years.”

Thank you @muddypawsrescuenyc for offering this photoshoot during your gala auction! 

Rigatoni, Golden Retriever (3 m/o), Theodore Roosevelt Park, New York, NY • “When I’m working from home, he just sleeps under my feet, but when he gets excited and I’m up and moving around, he loves to fetch. I don’t know if you noticed, but his arm is shaved. He swallowed a sock. Rigatoni loves socks, but fun fact: they eat socks because it smells like their owners. I do have pet insurance... I saw him swallow it, so I brought him in within 20 minutes, so all they had to do was get him to throw up; but they said if it got into his intestine, it would have been $10,000. He’s always smiling. I feel like New York, as much as it's like there's so much to do, and so much fun... it’s a million miles per hour, and now I'm like seeing so many areas of the city that I've never even gone to just because I want to take him there.”

Moody, mix (6 m/o), Court & Congress St., Brooklyn, NY • “He’s always in a mood. His name was Domino, but I changed it; because of his two faces. He’s normally only moody behind closed doors. I got him from @soulmaterescue in San Diego. He’s from Mexicali. We just did a DNA test but it hasn’t come back yet – mostly terrier. He’s the only one in his litter who had his ears stay perked up. His siblings’ all had dropped.”

Brooks, Golden Retriever (4 y/o), King Street, Charleston, SC • “I think more people know Brooks than know me. We live in an old historic home. He used to look outside the window which was really cool and exciting, but then I think he became a bit too popular and people started peeking their heads in the windows. We had to install one-way film there. I think he’s taught me to take some slow mornings. It’s important to take small, slow walks. No need to rush.”

Dottie, Dalmatian (4 y/o), 80th & Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY • “She’s like a Golden Retriever in a Dalmatian body. Very goofy, very loyal, very snuggly, very needy. Needs the attention. They get a bad reputation for being crazy, and high energy. She just needs a couple walks every day, but other than that, she’s great.”

Pearl, Pug (3 y/o), Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn, NY • “I’ve had other dogs; I’ve never had a Pug before. They’re very clingy, which I thought I’d be annoyed with, but I love it. She would eat anything if you gave it to her – she’d eat that camera if it smelled good enough. She was a runner up at the last Halloween parade. She was The Hound of Music – she was Maria. My wife is a very anxious person, and she’s definitely calmed down.”

Raoul, Mishka, & Cosmo, Pomskies & Golden Retriever, Central Park, New York, NY • "Cosmo is picky. He doesn't really like treats. Raoul and Mishka (the Pomskies) will eat apples and carrots if they're around. Crunchy. Chicken and steak are their favorites."

Dice, Dalmatian, Anchorage Place, Brooklyn, NY • ”He’s a tri-colored Dalmatian. He’s been getting a lot of attention here. He’s not too friendly, so you might not want to get too close.”

“Everything.”

Bella, Beagle (3 y/o), Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn, NY • “Funny story actually, he had a different name for her. He wanted to call her Jessica…just a random name. You wanted to call her Jessica… I was like that’s a weird name for a dog. I don’t know where he came up with Bella; I think we went down the list and were like Bella sounds really sweet. She is more of a people person than a dog person. She definitely has a few spots in the house she has claimed. Matt has an Eames chair that she’s claimed. You have to trade – ‘If I give you my spot, I want a piece of bacon’.”