Pet’s Place: Dave the Dachshund Settles Into His Manhattan Home
A couple keep their apartment clean and safe for their young pup and take him on adventures to Central Park
City life: “Both of us thought we weren’t really ‘little dog people’ ahead of getting him, but we knew that having a big dog in our Manhattan apartment wasn’t doable,” Hunt says.
During his first year of life, Dave has learned what he can and cannot climb on in the apartment. The sofa, for instance, is fine. He rarely gets the white leather too dirty, and Hunt cleans it weekly with leather cleaner.
Sofa: Kasala; zebra art: Katie Kime
During his first year of life, Dave has learned what he can and cannot climb on in the apartment. The sofa, for instance, is fine. He rarely gets the white leather too dirty, and Hunt cleans it weekly with leather cleaner.
Sofa: Kasala; zebra art: Katie Kime
Limited access: Dave is only allowed on the bed on weekend mornings, and only if he has recently been bathed. “I’m a stickler about clean sheets,” Hunt says.
The bathroom is one place Dave has completely lost permission to enter. “He just discovered that he can unroll a roll of toilet paper through the whole apartment, so right now he’s not allowed in the bathrooms unsupervised,” she says.
The bathroom is one place Dave has completely lost permission to enter. “He just discovered that he can unroll a roll of toilet paper through the whole apartment, so right now he’s not allowed in the bathrooms unsupervised,” she says.
Pajama party: After a bath, Hunt and Blaney dress Dave in some pajamas, such as these banana pajamas, to keep him warm.
He got used to wearing clothes during his first winter in New York. “He was still a pretty tiny puppy for his first New York winter,” Hunt says. “He shivered a lot if he went out for walks without a coat.”
He got used to wearing clothes during his first winter in New York. “He was still a pretty tiny puppy for his first New York winter,” Hunt says. “He shivered a lot if he went out for walks without a coat.”
Dog-toy destroyer: This cute, innocent-looking face can be deceiving, especially if you are a dog toy or a shoe. “He has such sharp little teeth,” Hunt says. “I think a week is the longest any toy has lasted.”
Hunt and Blaney keep a close eye on special toys and cute dog outfits so that Dave doesn’t destroy them or get snagged while wearing any of his special gear, such as this unicorn headband. Many times these toys and outfits are worn for photographs used on Dave’s Instagram feed.
Hunt and Blaney keep a close eye on special toys and cute dog outfits so that Dave doesn’t destroy them or get snagged while wearing any of his special gear, such as this unicorn headband. Many times these toys and outfits are worn for photographs used on Dave’s Instagram feed.
Workday companion: Hunt and Blaney have flexible work schedules, so they make sure one of them can be home during the day with Dave. He’s also crate-trained, so he stays in there if he has to be home alone for a short while. If they both have to be gone for an extended period, Dave stays with a sitter.
When someone is at home working, Dave snuggles up next to that person and naps.
Pendant light: Pier 1 Imports
When someone is at home working, Dave snuggles up next to that person and naps.
Pendant light: Pier 1 Imports
Outdoor adventures: The couple live next to Central Park and go to the park with Dave all the time. “Having a puppy is such a great way to meet people in your neighborhood and bond with other dog owners,” Hunt says. “In New York, we can all be so busy that we don’t interact with other people in our community, but having a dog has allowed us to meet a ton of wonderful people in our neighborhood.”
They also take Dave along on trips and to dog-friendly outdoor bars in the area because they want him to get used to different situations and people.
They also take Dave along on trips and to dog-friendly outdoor bars in the area because they want him to get used to different situations and people.
Home sweet home: Hunt, Blaney and Dave snuggle up on the white leather couch. “There’s nothing like walking into the apartment and having an ecstatic puppy leap into your arms,” Hunt says. “It’s just the best feeling.”
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Pet at a Glance
Pet: Dave, a miniature dapple dachshund
Age: 1 year
Location: Upper West Side, New York
Owners: Heather Hunt, a marketing manager at a literacy nonprofit, and Josh Blaney, an engineering manager at a tech company
Meet Dave: He’s a little dog with an affectionate personality, Heather Hunt says. He is named after her dad. “We just generally think dogs with serious human names are hilarious,” Hunt says, and her dad, Dave, is one of the most serious people the couple know. “We’re also beginning to think about adopting a brother for Dave, and we plan to name him Larry after Josh’s dad,” she says.