dogs

Doggie fall fashion on display at city dog park

Charlie clad in his iconic red and black plaid scarf . Photo courtesy of Instagram

Charlie, better known as @Charlienycwheaten on Instagram strutted into Stuyvesant Square Dog Park  and paraded around in his signature red and black plaid scarf. Charlie was not the only fashion icon in the dog park.

Owners pulled out all the stops for their pups recently at this trendy dog park runway. Puppy-sized jean jackets over stylish heather-grey t-shirts, loose fitting sweaters and flannels, and even shoes or booties were sported by almost every dog in the dog park from Chihuahua to Doberman. It’s fall in New York City and the season’s dog fashions were on full display.

“They just look so cute,” said dog enthusiast Joan Mukogosi. “It’s like fashion week, but fluffier.”

Charlie’s Instagram following is consistently growing as his owner have turned his profile into a fashion blog for dogs of sorts. This wheaten terrier’s iconic look is the plaid scarves he wears.

“We get a lot of ideas for new dog trends coming to dog parks,” said  Charlie’s owner, AlyssaPham.

The snazzy outfits didn’t stop the dogs from running, jumping, and playing. Packs ran together in search of a squirrel to chase or just shuffled and sniffed around. Others raced in laps around their owners or towards the balls and toys they tossed.

But even the most stylish outfits were not without utility.

Rocky, a French bulldog sported a denim vest over a stylish grey t-shirt with black booties. Rocky chased Charlie and Buck, a well-dressed pit bull. Buck was clad in an ombre red sweater that covered his front paws and draped over most of his back. The three dogs made a strong case for fashion forward, comfortable dog apparel.

Minnie, a shiba inu, was one of the few dogs in the park not sporting any fall apparel.

“I didn’t know dogs could still play like that when they’re dressed up,” said new dog owner, Kelsey Minnery.

But fashion forward dog owners want their dogs to be as stylish and comfortable as they are.

“I usually choose outfits for Buck based off what I want to wear,” said owner, Greg Adcock. “But his comfort is always the deciding factor, if he can’t run around and have fun it’s not worth it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

From kill shelter to Manhattan penthouse

Carter, the rescue dog, lives a luxurious life in Manhattan. He is a regular at the Washington Square Dog Park. Photo by Natalie Parker

Carter is your average successful Manhattan native. He wakes up every morning at 7 a.m. and heads out for a morning run to start his day. He spends his down time at Washington Square Park and often transitions between his vacation home in Hermosa Beach, California to his brownstone on Beacon Street in Boston throughout the year.

Carter, a 3-year-old terrier, leads a comfortable life.

But Carter has not always had three homes. He was once homeless and living on the streets in Queens. Like many of the rescue dogs in Manhattan, Carter’s family saved him from a kill shelter when he was a puppy.

“It’s becoming cooler to have rescue dogs,” Carter’s owner, Chris Perez said. “Shopping for dogs definitely carries a stigma.”

Despite Carter’s neglected life on the streets, Perez said Carter has grown to become a very friendly dog. He visits Washington Square’s Dog Park daily, greeting the various dog owners with affectionate licks and runs around with the other canines until he tires out.

“He loves to play with the other dogs,” Perez said. “All of the dogs in this park are always super friendly and playful.”

Carter was not the only recuse dog at the park. Eleven, out of the 13 dogs in Washington Square’s Dog park yesterday afternoon were rescues. Four out of the 13 were pit bull mixes. Although pit bulls have some say an unfair reputation for being aggressive dogs.  New York City’s recent dog culture might be trying to change that.

Dog owner, Briana Stamatis, said that rescuing dogs is starting to become the new cultural norm.

“Buying dogs from a breeder is not a thing that people want to own up to anymore.” Stamatis said. “Adopt, don’t shop.”

In  affluent areas like Greenwich Village, dogs are being rescued from shelters and taken into high income homes where their quality of life is exponentially increasing.

Manhattan resident and dog owner, Rony Atkin, said she comes to Washington Square Dog Park with her dog every week and sees new rescue dogs every week.

“I’ve met very few dog owners who bought their dogs from a breeder,” Atkin said. “In the city the dogs are all rescued. So many of them are pitties too, and they’re all so sweet.”

A  recent study by Animal Care Shelters shows that 93% of dogs and cats are being rescued from shelters.

Some dogs, like Carter, end up living a life of luxury.

“I don’t think Carter even remembers his old life,” Perez said. “He’s too busy enjoying his penthouse apartment to stress about it.”