I am firm believer that dog people should have dogs. This belief has gotten me through the death of my quintessential mutt Maggie (“What breed is she?” I innocently asked the vet. “All of them,” he replied) and the needy, clingy, soulful Harriet, who followed. But when Oscar died, I wasn’t sure I could do it again.

I’d raised him since he was a pup, just a slippery, squirmy little guy who had two modes: extreme chaos and sound sleep. Eventually, he calmed down (a bit) and his true personality shined: silly, neurotic (he had random fears like thresholds and windy staircases), cuddly, and loyal. I live alone, so it’s not a lie to say that Oscar got me through COVID—he was a four-legged lifeline.

So, when Oscar died at the age of 15, I wasn’t sure I could do it again. His death hit me hard—I wailed so loudly I feared the neighbors would call the police.

But dog people have dogs.

Six months after Oscar died, I dipped my toe into the adoption pool again. The Instagram algorithm already knew my type—scruffy and small.

My feed was filled with doe-eyed, pert-eared terrier mixes, along with various descriptions of their personalities: high energy, fearful, not recommended for families with small children, etc.

I saw Gus—then named Chocolate Chip—on PetFinders.com. He was 14 pounds, black and brown, with fur that was alternately scruffy and fluffy (scluffy?). I thought he looked a bit like Toto from The Wizard of Oz.

He had been abandoned in a construction site in Austin, Texas, along with two other dogs. One of the dogs got hit by a car and died. The other two, Gus and a blond terrier type named Rosemary, got scooped up by local shelters.

I applied for Gus like I was applying for a high-stakes job. The shelter, Dizzy Dog, wanted to make sure I wouldn’t return him. “What behavior would you find unacceptable in a dog?” they asked. “Smoking?” I cracked. They did a virtual tour of my home, confirmed I had a gated backyard, and there was an extended phone call where I learned the “3-3-3” rule of what to expect when your dog first arrives: Three days of fear and uncertainty; three weeks of settling in; three months when they realize they’re here to stay and begin to show their true personality.

Then I did a Zoom call with Gus’ foster mom, Amanda. (Gus sat in the back of the frame munching on a bone, as if protesting the very concept of a virtual meet-and-greet with a dog.) My adoption application was approved and it was time to ship Gus halfway across the country to come home.

I was told to meet the transport truck at the White Marsh Royal Farms.

“Sounds sketchy,” I told the adoption agency. “It’s for easy access on and off the highway.” I arrived early, as is my wont, and wasn’t sure I was in the right place until I saw other hopefuls emerge from their cars with leashes and squeaky toys.

Finally, the truck, neatly stacked with dog crates, pulled up and Gus was the first to come out.

I had given myself a pep talk not to take it personally if he was scared, didn’t take to me right away, hid in his crate, or even if he snapped at me.

He’s been traumatized, I reminded myself. He needs time.

Instead, he melted into my arms. When I put him down on the grass, he promptly pooped. An angel and a genius! I could lie and say there was a long adjustment period, that the 3-3-3 rule was a handy guide, but that just wasn’t the case.

Gus was sweet and loving and well-behaved from day one.

I was told that I shouldn’t have him sleep in the bed with me for the first week or so—to allow him to establish his crate as his own safe space. The first night, I dutifully dragged Gus’ crate to my bedroom, put him inside, and turned out the light. He began to whimper. The great “Don’t Let Gus Sleep in the Bed With You” experiment lasted for all of two minutes. He’s been sleeping with me ever since.

Six months into our relationship, Gus is just the best little guy, my ride-or-die. I talk to him about Oscar sometimes. They would’ve liked each other.

A post script: Remember Rosemary, the dog who Gus was found with? Well, she stayed in the family. A month after I adopted Gus, my sister, Felicia, who had lost her adorable poodle-mix Ruby just a few weeks before Oscar died, adopted Rosemary, now named Gertie. Who doesn’t love a happy ending?

Read more staff stories about the furry (and feathered) loved ones in their lives in our Baltimore Pet Lover’s Guide.

What’s the ultimate cure for this recent heaviness? Puppies, of course.

In the past few weeks, families have been using the forced time at home to finally say yes to the question they’ve been asked for months/years: “Can we get a puppy . . . Pleeeaaassseeee???”

“For years, my kids have asked—daily—for a dog,” says Jessica Klaitman. Slowly, she and her husband’s firm “no” had started to soften. “Not that we ever told the kids that,” jokes Klaitman, who lives in Towson. Then quarantine hit.

As she walked her kids home from school on March 13th, the last day that schools were open, a dog was the last thing on her mind.

“A week later though, as the reality of our collective situation started to sink in, and the tears and frustration started showing,” Klaitman says, “we realized that we needed an infusion of happiness—right now.” Her kids were so surprised when they brought Pepper home, that her daughter asked, “Is that a real dog?”

The Klaitmans’ new dog, Pepper. -Jessica Klaitman

Josie Moon joined the Siegal-Andorsky family on March 23rd, the day Governor Larry Hogan‘s executive order that only essential services remain open in the state went into effect.

The family had been considering getting a dog for about a year, but was hesitant to do so with their busy lifestyle. Their middle child was the one who had been consistently and persistently asking for a dog. She pointed out that this—meaning the pandemic—was the best opportunity to be home with a puppy. “I’ve literally been waiting 10 years for this day to come,” says 10-year old, Nava.

Since the children’s school—Krieger Schechter Day School—had moved to an online learning environment, mom Rachel Siegal had been exploring the pet possibility with renewed vigor.

“When I heard the essential-services-only executive order was coming into effect at 5 p.m., I told myself it was now or never,” Siegal says. “I went and met the puppy by myself at 1:30, leaving the kids at home with my husband, Sam.” (She had learned her lesson from a previous puppy encounter earlier in the week, when they all went and the kids left brokenhearted when she decided that particular dog wasn’t right for them.)

“When I met this puppy I had a sense that she was the one,” says Siegal. After meeting the entire family later that afternoon, the new pup was settled in her new home before the executive order went into effect that night.

“We borrowed some puppy supplies from neighbors, did a curbside pick up order from Petco, found Joy Freedman, a trainer who was willing to do online virtual trainings with us as a family, and we were off and running,” she says.

The Siegal-Andorsky family with their new pup, Josie Moon. -Rachel Siegal

The Sandhu Potter family had been talking about a puppy for a while, given that their last rescue, Freddie, is 17. “We thought we’d do it after she passes,” says Kiran Sandhu. “But since she’s still going pretty strong and we are all home now, we decided to take advantage of the time.”

Hodja, a “probably” collie/corgi mix, is named after Nasreddin Hodja, a Turkish satirist from the 13th century. “We used to read his stories to the kids when they were little,” says Sandhu.

Another big motivating factor for the family was giving the kids something to focus on that isn’t a screen.

“It’s been great having the time to dedicate to a puppy,” says Sandhu, an ESOL educational associate with Baltimore City Public Schools. “I’m not sure how we could have done it with our normal schedules.”

Klaitman agrees it’s a wonderful distraction and way to fill time. “Pepper has been such a wonderful diversion for us,” she says. “And yes, she has succeeded in increasing our happiness exponentially.”

The Sandhu Potter family poses with Hodja.

-Kiran Sandhu

The same is true in the Siegal-Andorsky household. The first day, they filled up a wall in their hallway with Post-It notes covered in possible names for their puppy. Over the course of the second day, they eliminated some names as her personality started to emerge.

Their 13-year old son, Yoni, wanted a nature-based name, like Storm or Ash, reflective of Josie’s merle coat. “We didn’t want to do a name that was anything reminiscent of coronavirus or of this terrible time for our world,” says Siegal.

After day two it became clear that Josie Moon was the name that best suited her chill personality.

“I like to think of her as an old hippie come to our family to help chill us all out,” jokes Siegal. “It’s also been great to have her around for those 15 minutes here and there when the kids have breaks between their Zoom classes. Rather than watch one more YouTube video, they’re coming downstairs to the kitchen to play with the puppy,” she says, mentioning, “That’s not to say they’re not watching hours and hours of YouTube and Netflix—which they are—while Sam and I try to continue to work.”

Says Klaitman, “The kids call her their ‘emotional support dog.’ To be honest, so do the adults. We love our ‘pandemic puppy’ and know that she will help imprint some delightful memories from a difficult time.”

Pups are our BFFs. They cuddle us when we’re sad, lick us when we’re sweaty, and they love to go outside and explore. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite pup-friendly spots in Baltimore so that you never have to leave your furry friend behind. These restaurants offer complimentary dog treats and water bowls, give pets free rein of patio seating, and some even host special events that encourage you to bring your dog as your plus-one. Wherever you go, these spots are totally paw-esome.

Pup-Friendly Patios

Riptide by the Bay: This waterfront eatery is smack-dab in middle of Fells Point and has earned a reputation as a popular pup hangout. The outdoor patio is dog-friendly and offers scenic views that both you and your pup will enjoy. Try ordering the Maryland crab cakes, local oysters, or BBQ ribs. 1718 Thames Street, 410-732-3474

Pratt Street Ale House: The Pratt Street Ale House patio is totally furball friendly. You can indulge in great food and craft beers while lounging with your pup at the numerous outdoor tables. There’s nothing better than beer and belly rubs. 206 W Pratt St., 410-244-8900

Atwater’s at Belvedere Square Market: This local cafe has a large patio perfect for dog-watching. There’s tons of umbrellas to stay out of the sun and plenty of space for you and your dog-owning friends to meet up. And you’ll love Atwaters’ hearty soups, decadent sandwiches, and hearth baked pastries just as much as we do. 529 E Belvedere Ave., 410-323-2396

Sam’s Canterbury Cafe: Guilford locals flock to this neighborhood cafe for the brunch menu, featuring fare like the jalapeño cheddar waffles and unique flatbreads named after Baltimore spots, “The Charles,” “The Hopkins,” and “The Calvert.” Surrounded by trees and greenery, Sam’s Canterbury Cafe’s patio is a true oasis for families, friends, and pets alike. 3811 Canterbury Rd., 443-438-4545

Miss Shirley’s Cafe: Baltimoreans agree that Miss Shirley’s Cafe has some of The Charm City’s best brunch food, like the infamous funky monkey bread, broiled grapefruit brûlée, or grandpa’s cornbread squares. And the outdoor patios are pet-friendly at all Miss Shirley’s locations. Multiple locations including 750 E. Pratt Street, 410-528-5373

Dining with Dog Treats

Bmore Licks: This family-owned ice cream shop is one of Canton’s most-loved spots for a sweet treat. They offer more than 100 flavors of homemade ice cream and dozens of milkshake, sundae, and snowball creations. The best part? Bmore Licks serves dog-friendly ice cream, too, with tasty flavors ranging from Cookies & Cream to Fruity Pebbles. 2437 Eastern Ave., 410-732-5425

The Dog Chef Cafe: Handmade frozen yogurt, sweet potato fries, kale pretzels, and donuts . . . these are just a few of the dog-friendly goodies you can buy at The Dog Chef Cafe. The cafe sells tons of healthy, fresh dog food, and they emphasize locally sourced ingredients and organic meals. These treats look so good, you might be the one begging for once. 863 North Howard St., 301-785-2998

Patterson Perk: Head to this canine coffee shop, located in Canton, for plenty of pup-friendly perks. Grab your BFF a free dog treat and head outside to soak up the sun on the patio. For a sweet snack, order a blueberry scone, or try the artichoke and goat cheese panini for a savory bite. 2501 Eastern Ave., 410-534-1286

Furry Fun

DogWatch Tavern: DogWatch Tavern is a fun-house for adults, with tons of happy hour specials and bar games like Skee-Ball and pinball. And don’t worry, your dog will have fun, too. DogWatch offers free treats and water bowls for all pups, and pets are more than welcome to hang at the outdoor tables. 709 S. Broadway, 410-276-6030

The Admiral’s Cup: The Admiral’s Cup doesn’t just allow dogs, they love dogs. The lively saloon hosts frequent #DrinkWithYourDog events where they offer free pup portraits and discounts on beers from Flying Dog and Full Tilt. Check out the Admiral’s Cup Facebook page for more information about upcoming dog-friendly events. 1647 Thames St., 410-534-5555

Blue Pit BBQ: This laid-back hangout has tons of dog-friendly outdoor seating, perfect for big parties, as well as an extensive whiskey collection, an array of smoked meats, and tons of hefty sandwiches. They’ve hosted events like Yappy Hour, a specially tailored party for people who love drinking with their dogs, and many of their proceeds benefit local animal shelters. 1601 Union Ave., 443-948-5590

The starting gates will be occupied at Pimlico Race Track on Sunday, April 8, but there won’t be any horses. Instead of thoroughbreds, visitors will find purebred bulldogs ready to run the historic track at the second annual Bulldog Day hosted by Hunt Valley Animal Hospital. The event will bring lovers of the wrinkly-faced breed from near and far to raise money for local rescues.

Dr. Allan Frank, owner of the hospital and bulldog dad, specializes in soft palate surgery and other procedures that are often needed for bulldogs, who have a higher tendency to experience breathing challenges. Last year, he hosted the inaugural Bulldog Day in Cockeysville that attracted a crowd of nearly 800 bulldog lovers and 200 dogs.

“Bulldogs are one of the most lovable, comical dog breeds out there,” Dr. Frank said. “We know many people in our region love this breed, too, and after the great success of last year’s event, we decided to throw an even bigger celebration this year.”                

The day will include contests—including best French bulldog, best English bulldog, best costume, best puppy, best senior, and best butt wiggle—prizes, a kissing booth, food, and music. New this year, given the venue, will be the “Racing of the Bulls,” where participating bulldogs will compete to see who’s the fastest.

“The whole thing is going to be so funny,” said Kelly Rowe, the hospital’s administrator. “They’re bulldogs, so it’s not going to be a lengthy race. We’re talking 15 yards tops—it will be hilarious.”

There will also be a caricaturist, moon bounce, and even a little pool area for the dogs to cool off after the race. In addition to more than 30 pet-related vendors selling everything from dog biscuits to puppy portraits, there will also be seven rescues featured with their own booths in hopes of being adopted.

Expecting to double last year’s attendance, Bulldog Day will be held rain or shine, and admission is $8 per adult at the door. Children and dogs are free, but proof of up-to-date vaccinations will be required upon entry (for the dogs, of course, not the children). There will even be vets on site from Hunt Valley Animal Hospital to ensure that all dogs are safe while participating in the events and hanging out with their pooch pals.

“It’s going to be a fun, family-friendly event,” Rowe said. “The more we can give back to the rescues, the better. It’s a day to celebrate how unique and wonderful bulldogs are.”

When Adam Mittadam started posting photos of his five French bulldogs on social media, he never expected them to become stars. But snapshots of the Highlandtown resident’s charming companions—full of scrunched expressions, adorable costumes, and creative poses—have captured the hearts of dog-lovers from Baltimore and beyond, earning their cheekily named Instagram account, @we.farted, more than 52,000 followers to date.

Today, the pack can often be spotted having lunch in Fells or taking a walk through Patterson Park, but their story starts in the mid 2000s, when Mittadam was a fresh-faced college graduate who had always dreamed of owning his own pup. After doing some research, he knew that Frenchies, with their small size, lively temperament, and funny faces, were the ones.

In 2006, he bought his first, Mango, a classy “gentleman,” and before long wanted to help more Frenchies by adopting them. A decade later, he still has Mango, now age 12, as well as Vespa, 7, the “lazy cuddler,” Coconut, 7, “the cheerleading squad captain,” Moped, 5, “the football team captain,” and Chopper, 3, aka “Baby Chops, the Energizer bunny.”

But it’s not always easy being a dog owner of five. Not only do the costs of vet visits and food add up, but some of the pups have health problems. Baby Chops, for example, has an esophageal condition that makes it difficult to swallow food. Before meeting Mittadam, he couldn’t find a steady home.

“It’s a big commitment,” says Mittadam, “but I wasn’t going to be the person who returned him again.”

Mittadam and his Frenchies have received endless support from their growing brood of fans, and the 34 year old has now started sharing training tips and health advice to other dog owners on social media. Mittadam does have a full-time job as an analyst, but he’s not opposed to having his pack become Insta-famous like other leading pooches Jiff Pom the Pomeranian or Doug the Pug.

“We’re accepting sponsors,” jokes Mittadam. “I’d love to get to the point where I can take on my dream job—posting about my five potatoes with little legs all day.

Mango

Vespa

Coconut

Moped

Chopper

Mittadam and his pups.