Louisville Magazine is Louisville's city magazine, covering Louisville people, lifestyles, politics, sports, restaurants, entertainment and homes. Includes a monthly calendar of events.
Issue link: https://loumag.epubxp.com/i/138735
Inter-office MEMO This month's staff question, brought on by the magazine's annual "dog day" picnic at Cherokee Park, accomplishes two goals of the editor: 1. Get more dogs in the magazine. 2. Get my dogs in the magazine. Why is your dog the best in Louisville? Tey make me laugh. All. Te. Time. Kane Webb Editor "Arnie" and "Roux" Zappato, my pit bull, a rescue from Louisville Metro Animal Services, is a great ambassador for the breed, he puts up with his crazy boxer sisters and accepts all the foster babies that come through our home. Zappato would never admit it, as it might hurt his tough-guy image, but he's a big softie. Heather Dougherty Ofce receptionist "Zappato" It's my daughter's dog, but I babysit her (the dog) from time to time. It's a Jack Russell mix named Tiny and can jump higher than Russ Smith. Tat's pretty high. Jack Welch Senior editor "Tiny" When I adopted my golden retriever Pony his name was Norm, a great name indeed. But I quickly noticed that my pup pranced. And when he runs? It's 16 LOUISVILLE MAGAZINE 7.13 a playful gallop. Furthermore, soon after he came home with me I had a dream that he ran in the Kentucky Derby. A sensitive, sweet creature, Pony lives for vigorous belly rubs, gentle, loving whispers and fresh garlic. Anne Marshall Staf writer "Pony" Duh! Mary Chellis Austin Editorial assistant "Lola" We rescued M.J. from the Humane Society three years ago. Our beloved beagle, Madi, passed away earlier that year and when we spotted M.J. (short for Madi Jr.) we knew she was meant to come home with us. Why do I think M.J. is the best dog in Louisville? Just look at that face! Stacey Hallahan Advertising Director "M.J." We haven't had a visitor to our house in seven years. Te reason? Big Steve. Friends have literally prayed for their lives upon entering our home. Te vicious bark as Big Steve comes running toward you elevates anxiety levels, which he senses and so barks even more. He doesn't bite; he just wants to let you know whose house you're entering. As my friendly UPS man once told me, "Ma'am, please stop ordering stuf from Amazon. I don't think those windows are going to hold him much longer." We've dumped money into trainers, tried putting him outside (we've had to replace the door several times) and even resorted to Xanax. Oh wait, you said BEST dog? Well, we don't have any problem with burglars. Tere is one thing you can do to win Big Steve over, but if I told you, you might come and rob me. Mandy Wood Advertising account executive "Big Steve" Roxie Lutes is an adorable sevenpound bundle of love who is by my side almost every minute when I'm home. She's half-Maltese, halfsilky terrier, hypoallergenic and non-shedding. Even though she's 13, she still acts and looks like a puppy. Ginny Lutes Advertising account executive "Roxie" Bryce isn't the best dog in Louisville. In several categories he falls far short. For example, he is not the best behaved, not the best looking, does not have the best social skills regarding other dogs. Or humans. I blame myself for never really training him, and for letting him get away with some stuf because he was "special needs." Also because, at the beginning of his life after he left the shelter, when he was fve months old, emaciated, his head tilted to one side, and he couldn't really walk without his back end folding up underneath him — for reasons no one could ever really determine, despite a boatload of diagnostic testing — I briefy considered that maybe his challenges were so all encompassing that he would never have a normal life, and it would be kinder to let him go. Tis sounds heinous, I know, but in the rescue community we face these questions all the time. Not every dog can be saved, nor should be. But Bryce showed a crazy will to play, despite the fact that he could barely walk. We took this as a sign. So you could say Bryce is the best at never giving up. He is stubborn. He controls the empty yogurt cups. He is sometimes a bully, and always an attention hog. He doesn't really care if you don't want all 60 pounds of him splayed across your chest. If you lie down, it is an invitation. And don't try to move him before he is done snuggling. He will move when he is ready. He can be a tad reactive, which can be scary. Speaking of snuggling, he is defnitely the best at that. He presses his backbone up against your side at night, and lays his soft muzzle right next to your armpit. And sighs as if he couldn't imagine a place he would rather be, ever. So maybe he is also the best at being utterly, disarmingly devoted in ways that make you wonder how you ever survived without this kind of loyalty. Julie Crutcher Business director "Bryce" Miss Bunny Dioge is the best dog in all of "Possibility City," and if you ask me why, I mean, just look at her! She also has bone breath and can catch a ball six feet in the air, like she's a Yankee outfelder. Jon Lee Cope Contributing editor Architecture and design "Bunny Dioge"