Doodles! Doodles as far as the eye can see! The full-throttle heat and humidity have finally let up on this unseasonably pleasant August Saturday in New York City, and it seems that everyone and their mother (and their dog) is taking full advantage of the good weather. Designer dogs promenade around the Union Square farmers market in Burberry harnesses; a pair of pups bask in the shade of a lush green tree in matching Fendi outfits.
“So many of our dogs hate doodles,” jokes Mallory Kerley, the marketing director at Muddy Paws, a New York–based dog rescue. Today, a sampling of Muddy Paws’ adoptable pups are shooting their Dogue cover with photographer and social media fixture The Dogist. The spectacle that has many purebred and hybrid dog owners conspicuously lingering, hoping that their pricey pups will catch his—and his 7.7 million Instagram followers’—eye.
But today is about the Muddy Paws brigade (another testament to “adopt, don’t shop”), an amuse-bouche of blocky-headed pit mixes, seniors, and other adoptables. Among them are Elmo, a dignified senior Chihuahua; Cora, a heart-of-gold pitty who sits sidesaddle; and Brave, an energetic puppy whose cuteness earns squeals of delight from people on the street.
Many of the Muddy Paws gang have come to the rescue under devastating circumstances, victims of neglect and abuse. Belfast, a friendly, tiger-striped Bully breed, was brought in with lacerations on his neck, still visible underneath his collar. Benji, a furry white senior with golden spots, was found abandoned in the subway, so matted and dirty his rescuers thought his coat was brown. Nicki, an adorable lowrider, was found tied to a tree, severely emaciated. “I fell in love with her personality,” Nicki’s foster, Ali, says. “She’s a sweet little love bug. She goes on her back for belly rubs. She’ll nudge you for more. She’s just like this sweet, silly little kid.”
Muddy Paws is entirely foster reliant, but every weekend most of the available dogs convene outside Petco in Union Square or PetSmart in Flatiron. Some lounge inside the shelter’s van, their names written on its transparent side panel, while others take meetings with potential parents and charm passersby on the sidewalk, dressed in Adopt Me vests. The days are long, with volunteers splitting morning and afternoon shifts. “We really try to maximize their visibility and ability to get adopted,” Kerley says. On an average Saturday, 12 to 15 dogs find their forever homes.
You, too, can adopt these Dogue cover stars. Well, most of them at least; some of these lovable pups found their forever homes before the shoot even wrapped (talk about star quality!), while others have been snapped up in the following weeks.
Below, meet a small sampling of Muddy Paws’ pups. While some of them have already been adopted, the rescue (not to mention your local shelter) always has more in need of a foster or a permanent home.
Cora
Eight-year-old Cora is a lover, through and through. This Pitty mix is generous with her face kisses but particular about her treats. (Can you blame her?) The brown spotted pup is loaded with character, from her underbite to her penchant for sitting sidesaddle. While all the dogs tugged at our heartstrings, Cora earned a special place in our hearts.
Cora is available for adoption.
Elmo
This distinguished gentleman with the frosted face has a strong will: He does not like to be picked up, but he’s a fan of elevated surfaces. On his Dogue shoot, 10-year-old Elmo prances up the stairs of a brownstone stoop like a show pony, surveying his vast surroundings like he’s king of the world. Typical Chihuahua behavior!
Elmo is available for adoption.
Belfast
Two-year-old Belfast was brought into the shelter with neck lacerations. But the resilient pup has lots of love in his heart. This talkative mutt loves people, kids, and other dogs. A gentle giant, he made a splash outside the adoption van, showering a delighted toddler with kisses.
Belfast is available for adoption.
Brave
This 14-week-old puppy and her two siblings came to Muddy Paws by way of Kentucky. Lovingly dubbed the demon puppies, Brave and her siblings are chock-full of energy, curiosity, and love. This wild child loves to kiss faces, and while she can walk on the ground, she much prefers to be carried like the little princess she is.
Brave is available for adoption.
Nicki
This five-year-old blocky-headed gal may look menacing with her linebacker shoulders and protruding underbite. But Nicki, with her precious disposition and lolling tongue, is a pure sweetheart. (“She’s a big cow,” Kerley jokes.) She’s so instantly lovable, in fact, that she gets adopted before the shoot even ends, joining a family with two small children and a brand-new Boston terrier sibling.
Nicki has been adopted.
Benji
Sweet 12-year-old Benji was found in the subway, so dirty and matted that his rescuers thought he was brown. After only a few days with his Muddy Paws foster, this white pup with golden brown spots had a new lease on life, holding court on top of a folding table and accepting pets from volunteers. “Too bad he’s 12,” an onlooker said when she inquired about the smiley dog. But luckily Benji found the happy ending he deserves, discovering his forever family before the shoot even wrapped.
Benji has been adopted.
Emerald
Emerald may be a young’un at just one year old, but she has the demeanor of a much more mature dog. Shy and pensive, Emerald is unfazed by anything, including barking dogs that made the humans around her jump. Not only is she good-natured, she has the looks to match: dark brown with black spots and white socks that catch the eye as she struts down the street like a gazelle.
Emerald has been adopted.
Jake
Ten-year-old Jake is a little lovebug. This Chihuahua mix arrived to set in a loose harness, but not to worry, since he’d much prefer to be held. (Or, as a member of the Muddy Paws staff put it, “I don’t think he’s a runner.”) Jake is a little nervous, but this snaggletoothed guy is just looking for a hug.
Jake has been adopted.
Brioche
Brioche, five, knows exactly what she wants. This boxer-pit-bull hybrid will march right up to anyone in search of pets. Once a stray, Brioche came to Muddy Paws through the city shelter, still lactating after giving birth to a litter. She knows she’s gorgeous (she’s got built-in eyeliner, after all) and has the bubbly disposition to match.
Brioche has been adopted.
