Woof! Welcome to Dog Diaries — a weekly series where the dogs run the show. New York City is filled with hundreds of dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, and personalities. And we’re going to meet them all! Well, we’re certainly going to try. This week, we’re spotlighting the dogs of the Stuyvesant Park Dog Run.

Dear Dog Diary, 

Who hasn’t spent an afternoon or two letting off steam at Stuyvesant Square Park? It’s not only a foundational location for many New School students, it’s also a hot spot for dogs and their owners who are looking to unwind and let loose. Stuyvesant is home to a truly lively dog run, busy at all hours of the day. New Yorkers take their dogs here to play, and we’re all the better for it! Taking your furry friend outside is important to both the owner and the animal, as these pet-parents know all too well.

What makes Stuyvesant the perfect place to let your dog off the leash? This week, in addition to spending some quality time with these distinct four-legged personalities, I asked these five dog-owners-slash-Stuyvesant-visitors why they chose this park in particular. 

Thomas, he/him, 4-year-old curly coated retriever

This friendly face immediately caught my eye. Thomas’ curly coat was something I hadn’t seen before, and according to his owner, James, “the breed is very rare.” I noted a hint of pride in his voice, and it has every right to be there! Thomas is an impressive looking pup. He turned 4 recently, on Sept. 19. If you’re wondering, of course he got a birthday present: a stuffed squirrel that he’s become obsessed with. James described Thomas as “pretty mellow,” which is perfect for him. “Excess energy gets under my skin,” James said, pointing out a couple of smaller dogs tussling in the center of the square. Thomas’ favorite activity is a classic, “catching balls, for as long as he can.” 

On the merits of Stuyvesant, James pointed out the pavement and shady trees. When a park is dusty, your dog gets dirty, and the moment your dog enters your apartment you’re left with a mess. In James’ opinion, concrete is the way to go. And if this means Thomas can chase after his balls for as long as he wants, I wholeheartedly support the paved agenda. If you see Thomas around town, make sure to wish him a happy belated birthday!

Michael, he/him, 3-year-old Chihuahua-Schnauzer-Australian cattle dog-beagle mix

Michael’s got a varied heritage. He’s a little like an optical illusion — look at him any which way, and one of the breeds will jump out. His owner, Noa, simply describes him as a mutt, but you can tell from his eyes that he’s got depth. She describes him as energetic, loving, and smart. “He’s easy to train, but he likes to be bossy,” she said. They love to walk around the city together, and Noa fondly remarked that he’s “soft with kids.” She loves to see him having fun and living his best life! 

Noa describes Stuyvesant as a place where Michael can be himself. Dogs can play together, and she doesn’t have to police him or make him “something he’s not.” Honestly, it sounds like a fantastic place to be a dog! I’m not sure if humans have all of those things figured out. If you see Michael out and about, approach with caution — he’s not changing himself for anyone.

Boomer, he/him, 3-year-old Irish wolfhound-lab-poodle mix

Boomer might be the biggest dog in the park, but he’s also the friendliest. Don’t let his wolfish appearance throw you off — Boomer’s caretaker, Elizabeth, describes him as protective. He’s not afraid to stand up for her, utilizing his loud, boisterous bark. But above all, he’s social, and doesn’t discriminate by size. According to Elizabeth, he “loves small dogs.” 

Boomer grew up in Indiana alongside cows and corn; Elizabeth describes him as a “country dog.” Eventually, she’d like to get him back to wide open spaces. He’s not quite as into the city and its host of loud noises. He’s partial to water, and Elizabeth frequently takes him to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. He’s also very particular. If a toy “isn’t squishy, or doesn’t squeak, he’s not interested,” says Elizabeth. If you run into Boomer, keep your voice down and give him a smile. He’s a true gentle giant. 

Elizabeth is partial to Stuyvesant because it’s clean and it has nice trees, whereas Tompkins is dusty and has some “weird characters.” Fair enough. Am I sensing a theme? We’ve got a potential Tompkins/Stuyvesant rivalry on our hands.

Colonel, he/him, 10-year-old wire-fox terrier

Colonel and his owner, Eddie, were men of few words. I noticed Colonel sitting on a bench across the park from me, standing stoically, while Eddie brushed leaves out of his fur and spoke softly to him. According to Eddie, Colonel is a little “anti-social.” But hey, introverts need some fresh air too! He’s perfectly content to quietly observe the goings-on of the park. Apparently, he loves people, and he was perfectly sweet to me — he’s just “not so sure about the dogs,” according to Eddie. For Colonel and Eddie, the dog park is all about efficiency; fetch burns him out much quicker than a walk. Eddie argues, “Why walk for 40 minutes when you could play catch for 20?” Hey, I can’t argue with that logic. 

Why Stuyvesant? For Eddie and Colonel, it’s close to home — again, very practical and it’s much tidier than Tompkins Square Park. For a clean dog and peace of mind, Stuyvesant is the place to be.

Pacey, he/him, 2 year-old goldendoodle

Pacey just might be the most fashionable dog at the dog run. His neon-yellow and gray shoes,  which perfectly compliment his fur, are something I could see on a Parsons student. Pacey’s owner, Anna, describes him as “hard to walk down the street,” because he’s always stopping for attention. And he knows his audience — “women in their 20s are his target demographic,” Anna says. She describes life with Pacey as a constant campaign for mayor, he’s always shaking hands and kissing babies. Anna jokes that his name comes from the fact that he “paces around,” but the true origin is Anna’s childhood crush, Pacey Witter, from the popular 2000s show Dawson’s Creek. Throwback! Life with Pacey (the dog) is all-consuming. Anna describes Pacey as her “only hobby.” If you run into Pacey, make sure you give him a pet or two, and he’ll love you forever. 

The reason behind Anna and Pacey’s choice of park is a simple one: they live between Tompkins Square Park and Stuyvesant, so they alternate locations. That just means that Pacey has twice as large of a pool of potential admirers.

These dogs are just a few of the recurring characters at Stuyvesant. Every day at the park brings a new adventure and a new set of potential furry friends. If you’re around Stuyvesant, and feeling a little stressed or overwhelmed, I truly recommend spending some time with these dogs. Their energy is infectious, and they’ll love you unconditionally. Plus, they’re an endless source of entertainment. As Anna remarked while she looked out at the crowded park, “It’s never dull at Stuyvesant Dog Run!”