It’s February 2012. Do you know where our Pet of the Month is? He’s right here!
Paco lives in Clinton Hill with his Dad, Bradley. He is ProspectBArk’s one and only Lhasapoo – and so handsome!

Mike, Paco’s walker, says that he is “one of the most easygoing, obedient and well-rounded” dogs” he walks, and that he “loves to show off for treats and praise”.

So without further ado, here is our interview with this month’s luminary – Paco!

Name: Paco
Gender: Male
DOB: May 2nd 2008
Breed: Lhasapoo

About me: I’m four years old and a native Brooklynite (represent!). Most of my friends are French Bulldogs so I guess I’m the black sheep. I’m really a low key kind of dog. And fluffy. Very fluffy.
My Walker: Mike takes me on walks!
Favorite Toy: I’m always fascinated by the simple things, like a rolling tennis ball

My Best Friend: Chloe is my true love, but she moved away. However, I have lots of friends. Selma is an old pal. Elvis, Andy, Tate, Goose and I all hang at the dog park.
Favorite place to nap: I love sleeping behind the chair under the window in the bedroom.
The Perfect Day for me would be: A Saturday where we go to the dog park and hang out with all my friends. On the way back we stop at the flea market and sit around awhile. I’ll probably nap after that only to be awoken by a thrown tennis ball. After a few chases I’m pooped, but still ready to go to my friend’s house on Clermont. Henry and Izzie (cats!) live there…..they are so weird. I hang with all of my human friends. After a long day I go back home, grab some dinner, spend an hour on a marrow bone, maybe play some tug-o-war then hit the bed for a good night’s sleep.

We’re proud to introduce our February  Pet of the Month: Moxie! We have watched her grow from a small pup to a lovely young lady. Moxie will receive a treat-filled gift bag and for her parents, an 8×10 digital print. Congratulations!

Name: Moxie

Gender: Female

DOB: December 8th, 2009

Breed: Yellow Lab

About me: I LOVE to play and pounce, but I also like to cuddle and have my belly rubbed

My Walker: Zakai

Favorite Toy: Anything I can chew on!

My Best Friend: My big brother, Ben

Favorite place to nap: At mami’s feet

The Perfect Day for me would be: Lots of time with my friends in the dog park and playtime with my family in our yard (with lots of treats and snuggles in between!)

We’re proud to introduce our October Pet of the Month: Stella! This pup is the first pug to be honored as a POTM and we feel she’s perfect for the job. Stella will receive a treat-filled gift bag and for her parents, an 8×10 digital print.  Congratulations!

Name: Stella

Gender: Female

DOB: November 18th

Breed: Pug

About me: You may know me as Stella. I like to talk. With my face. Mommy and Daddy are still learning to talk. They like to use their mouths and make weirdo noises that sound funny. They have weird faces though…they have noses. I was never much of a tale chaser. Don’t tell anyone but this one dog, Gerry, chases his tale all the time. HE’S NEVER GOING TO CATCH IT!!! Hahahahahaha. Snort. But, to be honest, neither am I. It’s too squiggly. I asked Daddy to iron my tail once but he thought I wanted more apples and said “No. You’ve had enough apples.” Grownups are so strange.

My Walker: Andrew!  He lets me take him outside once a day. I get to show him my favorite places to pee on things. OH, I like to sniff things too. I wish mommy would give me more apples. I bet that when she comes home tonight she’ll say two things to me. One, “why are you on the computer writing a biography,” and two, “would you like an apple? Stella want an apple?” YES MOMMY, I’d say through my nose. Then I’ll take a nap.

Favorite Toy: I like other dogs toys. Yeah, mine are OK but there’s nothing like other dogs toys. Or apples. I really like apples. I bet that when she comes home tonight she’ll say two things to me. One, “why are you on the computer writing a biography,” and two, “would you like an apple? Stella want an apple?” Oh noooooo!!! Did I just say that? I’ll sit here an look cute and nobody will notice. Seriously, someone will pet me.

My Best Friend: Sophie!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYY! I can’t wait for Sophie to play with me again. We had a slumber party last weekend and while we were, you know, talking about boy dogs, she stole one of my curlers. What’s a girl to do? My tail has been straight for days. I’ll email her and see what up.

Favorite place to nap: Sprawled out on Mommy and Daddy’s bed!!! They say that I take up foot room but what do they know. A girl needs her space. The last thing I need is more wrinkles from a rough night sleep.

The Perfect Day for me would be: I’d eat something light in the morning, go for a run in some grassy area then sleep. I’d wake up then go for a run in some grassy area and then sleep. Then, when I wake up, I’ll make noises with my face. Oh, then maybe hit the beach for a little color. I just got this new swim suit I’ve been waiting to wear. It’s so cute. I got it on www.pugs_with_swagger_and_style.com.

This 4th of July, an adorable Westie in the Slope has more to celebrate than just some ol’  fireworks over the park — he’s our July Pet of the Month! Roko gets a treat-filled gift bag, and his newly-wed parents get an 8×10 digital print! Congratulations!

Name: Roko (as in, “Rocco”). My name is Bosnian, where I was born. I am Yugoslav mafioso.

Gender: Very male

DOB: November 4, 2004

Breed: West Highland Terrier

About me: I am unfixed and smart. Dogs my size are of very little interest to me because I prefer a challenge. I presume I hold a grand intellectual advantage over all other canines. When I meet a larger dog, my aim is to have him on his back within five minutes. I’ll then poke him in the eye with my paw and he will respect me. Nonetheless, humans think I am “cute” and I don’t let them know that I care.

My Walker: Katie.

Favorite Toy: The noisy toy I just got–oops!–just tore the soundmaker out.

My Best Friend: My mom, but no one can know that.

Favorite place to nap: My cave. I always find a cave.

The Perfect Day for me would be: Snow! Lots and lots of snow!

Our June Pet of the Month is a spritely little Jack Russel in Prospect Heights named Owan. This lucky pup gets a treat-filled gift bag, and his family gets an 8×10 digital print! Congratulations!

Name: Owan Rocket Federici-Siegal. Owan is actually an acronym, but it embarrasses me so I’m not going to reveal what it stands for.  I also answer to “Owie” — and by “answer” I mean “stare at you briefly and then go do what I want to do.”

Gender: Male, baby.

DOB: June 2003

Breed: Jack Russell Terrier

About me: I’ve had a crazy life.  I was stolen from a pet store when I was a puppy, and then I escaped from those criminals.  I was found wandering the highway by a loving family, but they gave me up because I didn’t get along with their horse (he was a jerk).  Then I was adopted by the Siegal/Federicis and they are fine with three goofball kids who drop enough food by accident that I’ll stick around.

My Walker: Gina!  She is the best person I have ever met, and writes great notes, and she can almost keep up with me.  Sometimes she lets me ride around on her shoulder like a pirate’s parrot.

Favorite Toy: A rubber chicken that Gina gave me.  I loved it and then I murdered it, but I still love it.

My Best Friend: Gina. 

Favorite place to nap: A pile of clean laundry. 

The Perfect Day for me would be: Running around with Gina.  She would spray me with a hose and I would drink the water and then try to murder it.  My family could come too.

Our May Pet of the Month is the loving, adorable, and (as her name suggests) extremely playful, Frisbee of South Slope.  This lucky pup gets a treat-filled gift bag, and her dad, Garth, gets an 8×10 digital print! Congratulations!

Name: Frisbee (Miss Fris)

Gender: female

DOB: June 30, 2004

Breed: Jack Russell Terrier

Favorite Toys: a giant Frisbee or a big stick–preferably with the trunk still attached

About Me: My job is squirrel patrol. Prospect Park is full of them and somebody has to keep those furry little suckers off the lawn.

My Walker: Hollie

Best Friend: Guinness, the chocolate lab, who also makes a great launch pad

Favorite Place To Nap: The bed of course!

The Perfect Day For Me Would Be: food, beach, frisbee, food, beach, stick, food, beach…you get the idea

This April, our Pet(s) of the Month are a winsome twosome, Minnie and Sir Toby of  PLG! This self-described Upstate Country Lady and Brooklyn Swaggerer keep their folks, David and Nicole, quite on their toes.

The pretty kitties get a treat-filled gift bag,  and their companion humans get an 8×10 digital print! Congratulations!

Name: Minnie (Moo-Moo; Minushka; The Minister of Catnaps) / Sir Toby (Tobino; Tobias T. Tickleworth; The Belly)

Gender:  female / male

DOB: July 4, 1997 (celebrated)/ July 4, 2006 (pretty close to actual)

Breed: Upstate Country Lady / Brooklyn Swaggerer

Relation to each other: Minnie’s the wryly beleaguered mother to Sir Toby’s goofy, obnoxious perpetual teen.

Favorite Toys: Minnie – the classics (strings, ribbons, laser pointers). Toby -  would-be edgy alternatives (still-shelled nuts, books or dishes on high shelves, and The Giant Furry Feathered Prawn)

About us: Minnie -  “In my early years, I was a live-for-the-moment member of catkind. It was a wonderful time and I do not regret it in the least, as it allowed me to give birth to four exquisite sets of kittens. But when I moved to Syracuse, New York (and, for a time, Bloomington, Indiana) I began to understand the virtues of a more contemplative life. The culmination of this period was a two-year trip abroad. For most of that time I lived in Italy, first in Florence and then in the Umbrian countryside; of my time in Canada, no cat should speak. Coming to Brooklyn and shortly thereafter taking on the role of foster mother have allowed me to bring together the two primary strands of my life. I have the highest possible regard for Sam and her courteous attentions to our needs.”

Toby – “Dude! The Prawn!”

Our Sitter: Sam

Best Friends: Each other, no matter what we say.

Favorite place to nap: Minnie – in winter, a warm lap; in summer, a cool closet shelf. Toby – any cardboard box.

The Perfect Day for me would be: Minnie – “A rich, flavorful breaking of the fast followed by a furtive trip into the carpeted hallways of our building, all gloriously crowned by a long nap until the next sumptuous meal.” Toby – “Complete and utter prawn war! I win! And then I totally get, like, carried around in a cardboard box for as long as I want and don’t even vomit.”

Say hello to Dempsey – our March Pet of the Month! Dempsey is an absolutely adorable Australian Cattle Dog who always seems to have a great, big smile on his face. Born and raised in Alaska, this pup is a PLG transplant whose favorite pastimes are his daily walks, occasional play dates, and nice, long naps!

Sam, Dempsey’s walker, thinks he’s just fabulous: “The thing that I love most about Dempsey is his sweet and gentle nature. On certain days he will look up at me and give me this look that makes me positively melt.  The first time he ever gave me his ‘look’ I was so in awe that I remember writing in my note to Molly that I had to go back and pick up my ‘pile of melt’ in the park.  That is how sweet Dempsey is.  He has a very wise soul and always brightens my day.  I love Dempsey-Doo and cannot get enough of him!  I feel truly lucky to be his walker.”

Dempsey gets a treat-filled Doggy Bag, a surprise gift, and his mom, Molly, receives a free 8 x 10 color print of him! Congratulations!

Name: Dempsey, aka Dempsey-Doo, Dempsey-Doodle, Mr. D.

Gender: Male

DOB: Unknown, but he’s about 10 years old

Breed: Australian Cattle Dog

About me: My mom adopted me in Alaska in 2008. Before that, I had a bunch of homes and was in and out of the shelter more times than I can count. Mom and I lived in Alaska together for a year before moving to New York. We drove and drove and drove, and I was super nervous, but I actually found that I really like New York. There are lots of REALLY interesting things to smell on our block, and we live right by Prospect Park, so sometimes I get to climb over snowbanks and pretend we’re still in Alaska. AND, I now have the coolest, nicest dog-walker EVER. She comes and sees me every day!

My Walker: Sam.

Favorite Toy: My squeaky sheep.

My Best Friend: My best friend still lives in Alaska. Her name is Trance. She’s a shelter dog like me, and her mom was my foster-mom while I waited for someone to adopt me.

Favorite place to nap: Anywhere soft. I have my own bed, but I also like napping on Mom’s bed and on the couch.

The Perfect Day for me would be: breakfast, followed by a walk in Prospect Park, a nice long nap (on the couch), snacks followed by a nap, then a quick walk around the block, a nap (preferably near Mom), then play-time with friends, dinner-time followed by a walk, then maybe some time to chew my chewies. Then bed time!

Our February Pet of the Month is Winston, a gorgeous pit mix from the South Slope. What a stunner. When Winston isn’t gazing at you intently with his beautiful eyes, he is bounding around you in circles, ready to play! A rescue from humble origins, Winston has come a long way, and if his mom and dad have any say in the matter, he has a long, wonderful life ahead of him!

Winston gets a treat-filled Doggy Bag, a surprise gift, and his parents receive a free 8 x 10 color print of him! Go Winston!

Name:  Sir Winston Chesterfield, aka Winston, Winstee, Winstums

Gender: male

DOB: possibly Oct 2008?

Breed: pit bull mix

About me: I am a large and rambunctious young male, who loves endless games of toss/retrieve the (insert noun here… any noun…. sock, ball, toy, paper towel, pillow, leash, piece of trash, etc ). I am also a power snuggler, and love to be held like a baby- by anyone strong enough to lift my 70 lb frame.

My Walkers: are Max and Sam

Favorite Toy: squeaky Cuz ball, any plush toy

My Best Friend: Daddy (Cory)

Favorite place to nap: Either in the sun, or on a lap

The Perfect Day for me would be: Morning walk to the park,  then breakfast, play session, nap, walk, play session, nap, play, dinner, play, walk, cuddle on couch, walk, bed.

2010′s first Pet of the Month is our very special Timba, of Prospect Heights. Not only is this pretty lady the sweetest dog on the block, but she is a Healer and a wise old soul. Even though she can’t move around like she used to, her spirit moves everyone around her.

Timba gets a treat-filled Doggy Bag, a surprise gift, and her mom receives a free 8 x 10 color print of her!

Name: Timba
Gender: Female
DOB: 12/23/1998
Breed: Belgian Shepherd

About me:  For the first 6 years of my life I had to live outside either tied to a tree or tied up to another dog, I was very thin weighing in about 55 pounds, a rescue group found out about me and was able to convince my then owner to give me up. I was placed in a shelter until my new mommy came along and rescued me. We just celebrated our 6 year anniversary together! My life has changed in so many ways since I was adopted by Jennifer; I gained 25 pounds, I was able to be inside and sleep anywhere I wanted and I became a Certified Therapy Dog and went to visit sick children in the hospital. I am also a Shaman dog. Just recently I discovered I have degenerative spinal myelopathy, it is a neurological Disease and there is no cure even with everything that I went through and am going through now, I am the happiest dog in the world!

My Sitter: Natasha is my sitter and I love her very much, she has so much compassion and patience with me since I don’t have much use of my back legs anymore, Since I can’t walk that much after I do my business we get to sit on the park bench and enjoy the sites of the people walking by. Thank you Natasha for everything!

Favorite Toy: Anything that squeaks.

My Best Friend: My best friend is my mommy but in the animal world I would have to say it is my brother and sister; Bogey & Sydney both of which are cats.

Favorite place to nap: On my dog bed which looks like a couch.

The Perfect Day for me would be: To be able to walk with my Mommy & Victoria to Grand Army Plaza and sit by the fountain.