the song of the hairy whale

Not another bulldog named Bella -- please say it ain't so! Luckily, this Bella's full name is Beluga, like the whale, and from certain angles (as below) it must be said the resemblance to her namesake is uncanny.

dog used for laughs

The owner of this PBGV -- an acronym denoting not an STD, sandwich, or sports association but the breed also known as Petit Basset Griffin Vendeen -- named her dog Chowder because she wanted "a name that would make people laugh". Chowder, outgoing and a bit hyped up, did not seem to give a hoot but then possibly only speaks French.

samson, shopping

Twelve year-old chocolate lab Samson was spotted returning a pair of pants at Paragon sporting goods (or was that her owner? sometimes the Muttropolitan Diarist gets confused).

bonnie

This ice blue-eyed Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog named Bonnie started off her life in New York being offered for sale out of a cardboard box on the sidewalk. Her now-owner's girlfriend saw her and swept her up; Bonnie occasionally encounters her brother, who is as mellow as she is high-energy, and lives in the West Village while she lives in the East Village.

gidget

This stiff-legged yet spunky and social Pom (aptly) named Gidget sparked an argument about her age between her two owners: one (in black coat) claimed she was 12, which caused the other (in gray coat)to roll her eyes and exclaim "Twelve!? She's about to turn 14. Everytime someone asks you how old she is she gets younger and younger!". Gray coat then turned to the Muttropolitan Diarist to say "the next time you come by here she'll be six."

Note to Hollywood: The Muttropolitan Diarist would much rather watch Gidget get younger and younger (imagine her as a tiny puffball puppy!) than watch Brad Pitt in "Benjamin Button" do the same.

two jack russells

young li

Not really so young anymore (sorry, Li!) this feisty l'il Norwich terrier named Liberace is still known by his intimates as Young Li. Like his owners, he appreciates the power of a colorful wintry accessory (or two).

G.B.

Westie G.B. was kind enough to park himself by a splotch of orange paint that nearly matched his quilted winter coat (kitted out with a slimming self-belt). Thanks, G.B.!

Reba and Romy

With heads that look as if they've been carved out of ebony, sisters Reba (left) and Romy are intense, gorgeous, aggressive creatures (they growled and lunged at the Muttropolitan Diarist, who was approaching them just as one of their owners said "they're not particularly friendly"). Pointy ears up, they were tracking a squirrel in a nearby tree as their owners explained they were adopted from a shelter in St. Croix, and added something else the M.D. did not know: pups in a litter don't necessarily have the same father. Likely Reba is a mix of lab and chow, and Romy a mix of lab and doberman pinscher. Clearly the dads are to blame for their daughters' aggressive streak: chows are notorious biters; dobermans are simply notorious.

World-renowned goldendoodle

Like a Dr. Seuss character, Molly the goldendoodle (that's a golden retriever-poodle cross) is both cute and odd looking. Testimony to this fact: tourists from around the world have taken her pictures, says her owner, who was braving chilly temperatures to have a cuppa al fresco. Bonus fact: goldendoodles, because of their poodle-itude, don't shed. Ever.

Nameless cheehooey

Sometimes the Muttropolitan Diarist encounters people who will allow their dogs to be photographed but who clearly don't want to talk. Too bad. This stocky little fellow in the zip-up sweater might have had a good story.

silky golden

There are either multiple Golden Retrievers named Blue in the West Village or "Blue" is the equivalent of "Molly" for Irish Setters (a breed not often seen in New York) or "Ruby" or "Lola" for Pugs. That is to say, a popular choice.

flying chihuahua

Spotted on the AirTrain from JFK, Chico, returning from his first plane trip (to see his cousin, a toy schnauzer, down south in Virginia). He did quite well, thank you.

Vida the pug

There are certain parents and masters who have no qualms about demeaning their charges right in front of them (the Muttropolitan Diarist's father, for instance, referred to his children as "the monsters") and Vida's master is one of them, referring to her bug-eyed charge as "a glorified piece of furniture" while others might say she looks, in her brand-new winter sweater, like an adorable pin cushion.

whippet pair

Before their shoot, Wally (right) licked the chin of Jessie, as if primping her. Jessie, no fool and the boss of the operation, squnched her hindquarters between her master's legs for warmth.

Napoleon

Gallery-hopping on a very frigid day in Chelsea, wee Napoleon (is that redundant?) was a bit overwhelmed by the weather and all the hubbub—exactly what you'd expect of a mere five month-old Frenchie.

Sweet Pit

Very friendly and personable (dogable?) Bella is one of the many pitbulls that proves the breed is much maligned.

wee westie

This three month-old West Highland Terrier was in a big rush and only had time to say a quick hello and introduce himself as Qpii (pronounced "kewpie", like the doll).

slow and low, as the Beastie Boys say

Breaking no records on a Sunday afternoon, Guinness (brown head) and Luggie (mostly white head) make their way through Central Park.

Not so little really

Named Marchito, or "little Marco", this dignified, handsome fellow of 10 years is a mix of English pointer and pitbull.

boston terrier, in parts

one small chai, please.

Said by her owners to be part "pretzel dog" and part chihuahua, Chai is very chic indeed in her reversible khaki-to-polka dot Isaac Mizrahi jacket. (No, she did not pick it out herself.)

senior citizen springer spaniel

Eleven year old Moose is very snuggly and affectionate, with a dignified scattering of gray around the muzzle and eyebrows (nothing a little Just for Men dye couldn't take care of, if he chose to go for a more youthful look).

today's specials

Any kind of panini, $6.49; some sort of Wheaten terrier mix, not for sale.

...and we're back!

The Muttropolitan Diarist apologizes to all and sundry for the long, long hiatus. There are reasons and explanations but they will have to wait. Because now we bring you dogs.

My master went shopping and all I got was this $#@% cup of water

Unnamed pug, angry, growling, not happy tied up outside a SoHo boutique.

Kill shelter rescue

This lad scooped up his darling beagle-pointer mix named Menkes from a kill shelter. Nice work.

And here is Menkes teething on a stranger's hand. Tasty.

Rico

How long has it been since the Muttropolitan Diarist posted? Since this charming lady and her equally charming brother were in shortsleeves, enjoying the Indian summer heat with two year-old boxer Rico, who wins the Fall '08 giant tongue award.

grooming al fresco

A dog being brushed on the sidewalk, great puffs of hair blowing along the sidewalk: it's a classic New York scene. This version stars Jake (the bigger, beefier fellow) and his companion Emma.

tied up in the west village

This handsome fellow goes by the name of Sullivan. Initially I thought he was doing something balletic with his right rear leg but it turns out to be a bit of a special sort of a limb.