Woof! Welcome to Dog Diaries — a biweekly 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 Washington Square Park.

Dear Dog Diary, 

Washington Square Park, characterized by its iconic white marble arch and central fountain, is a hotbed of activity on any given day. Artists drawing portraits, musicians playing instruments, dancers, fortune tellers, performance art, and even mobs of people dressing up as their favorite celebrity — this park has got it all. Wherever New Yorkers are, their dogs are right there with them, and this iconic park is no different!

This week, I talked to pups of all shapes and sizes about their lives in NYC and what makes them cut out for an afternoon under the arch. What did I learn? Sure, Washington Square Park might be chaotic, but there’s room for everyone and more importantly, every dog.

Poppy she/her, 5-year-old toy poodle

Poppy might be the smallest dog I’ve ever seen. She was named after the state flower of California — the red poppy — where she lived before she moved to NYC. “She used to be redder,” her owner Kat joked. When we started talking, Poppy was vibrating with excitement (or anxiety, it’s hard to tell), jumping around and barking at every fallen leaf. “She’s anxious to start walking,” Kat said. Poppy has adapted quickly to the city, although she’s missing out on sand-digging, her favorite activity back in California. She’s a frequent subway rider. Kat explained that sometimes when they pass a station entrance on a walk, Poppy will make a beeline for the stairs: “Not today, Poppy,” Kat would reply. 

As pigeons flapped around us, I asked Kat how Poppy stayed so calm and collected. Apparently, she focuses her attention on rats, and I don’t blame her. She’s nearly the same size as them. Kat and Poppy live in Brooklyn, so they don’t spend that much time at Washington Square Park. “It’s not the best for dogs,” Kat said, but it makes for an exciting afternoon. 

Joji he/him, 3-year-old corgi

Joji and his owners Jessica and Malik were the picture-perfect image of a blissful Sunday afternoon. Joji, decked out in a fashionable, emerald green harness, paid careful attention to every passerby — human and animal. According to Malik, Joji is pretty high-energy. Long walks are one of his favorite things to do, and he’ll even play fetch for hours in their apartment. He loves people, but he doesn’t get along with other dogs quite as well. And that’s just fine! “We’re both homebodies,” Malik said, so it’s not hard for Malik and Jessica to spend quality time with Joji. Despite his high energy, he’s easy to reign in with his favorite treats, frozen fruits and vegetables. Malik reminded me “corgis are food-motivated.” When I caught Joji and their owners, it was their first day at Washington Square Park. They just moved to the city and are exploring places to take Joji. “He was overwhelmed at first,” Jessica said, and as we spoke, his ears stood at attention. I get it, there’s a lot to take in. Welcome to New York City, Joji!

Madeline (left) she/her, 8-and-a-half-year-old Frenchie, Marilyn (right) she/her, 4-and-a-half-year-old Frenchie

Madeline and Marilyn caught my eye from yards away. Their matching hot pink sweatshirts aren’t just practical for these cold, winter months — they’re fashionable, too. And of course, each sweatshirt had their names printed in glittery text on the back. Patrick and Hattie, their owners, described the two of them as best friends, despite their gap in age. They’re classic Frenchies — eat, sleep, walk, cuddle, repeat. “They’re super good cuddlers,” Hattie said. They love people and they’re “proper New York dogs,” according to Hattie. 

They go everywhere with their owners, whether they’re hitting planes, trains, or the pavement. They’ve been as far as Honduras — well-traveled for a four-legged creature! The COVID-19 pandemic is when their wardrobes truly expanded. They’ve got a whole collection of matching outfits, and these pink sweatshirts in particular are DIY. “I bought the sweatshirts off of Amazon, and then I did the names myself,” Hattie explained. Matching is important to these two; even their names go together. Originally, Madeline was supposed to be named Baguette. “My ex hated that name,” Hattie laughed. The next best French thing — Madeline. And when Marilyn came into their lives, another M-name just made sense! According to Hattie and Patrick, they tend to hang around SoHo, but if you see these pups out and about, take a look (or two) at what they’re wearing.

Miso she/her, 7-month-old mini Goldendoodle 

Miso — a Japanese fermented bean paste — is the perfect name for this little ball of delight. Miso is only 7 months old, and she’s already perfected the cutest expression. “She likes a lot of attention,” her owner Claire explained. Miso’s starting out life with the basics. She loves her ball, walks, and big, open grass. “I’ll just throw my ball around the apartment,” Claire said. 

Often, in a big city, it’s easy to feel alone. That’s what Claire was feeling when she decided to get a dog and Miso ambled into her life; she just wanted someone to come home to after work. “Now, she’s my little best friend,” Claire said. She described Miso as “the friendliest dog.” Miso gets along great with people and pets alike. According to Claire, the vet says that Miso should stop growing at around 9 months, but Claire is skeptical; Miso doesn’t seem to be getting any bigger. And that’s great, because she’s the perfect size! Why Washington Square Park? “It’s close,” Claire explained. “Sometimes it can be a little crazy, but it’s convenient.” 

Lexi she/her, 4-year-old beagle

Lexi and her owner Pascal were taking in the sun on the edge of the fountain in the center of the park when I approached them. According to Pascal, Lexi’s favorite pastime is dog-and-people-watching. As you can probably see, Lexi was a little skeptical of me at first. According to Pascal, she’ll let you pet her, but she’s doing her own thing most of the time. “She’s not a lap dog,” he explained. “She’s more like a cat than a dog.” However, Pascal describes Lexi as “100% beagle,” and it’s true — she’s exemplary. Pascal went for a beagle because he needed a small dog for traveling. Lexi is just under the weight limit most airplanes set for dogs that are allowed to ride in the cabin. She’s not just a fashionista, she’s a world traveler! 

She’s super active, according to Pascal. They love to go to Central Park. “She’s a New Yorker, but she hates the subway,” Pascal said. So how do they get around, you might ask? By bike! Pascal started taking Lexi around on his bicycle when she was young, so she’s totally used to it. She’s usually stationed in a backpack, taking in the sounds and smells as Pascal rides through the city.

These six pups tell us that there are lots of ways to be a dog (and a person) in New York City. All these walks of life, and countless more, are represented at Washington Square Park. Next time you’re enjoying a sunny afternoon near the fountain, or simply passing under the arch, take a look around at how our friends on four legs are playing, traveling, and experiencing city life. They’ve got a lot to teach us.