People ask us all the time — where do you take your dogs? And honestly, for years the answer was simple: Pawcasso.
Our pet boutique and art studio on Sunset Avenue in Westhampton Beach was our home away from home. We were there every single day, and so were our dogs. It was the kind of place where a Great Dane could wander between the easels and nobody batted an eye. We closed Pawcasso at the end of last year, and if I'm being honest, we're still a little sad about it. It was a special place — for us, for our dogs, and for everyone who came through the door.
But somewhere along the way, without even planning it, we built something just as good right in our own backyard.
Let me introduce the crew.
Frida is our two year old Great Dane mix — she is a lot, in the best possible way. Dewey is almost six, a Jack Russell mix, and firmly in his "distinguished gentleman" era. Then there's Tonka, our neighbor's two year old French Bulldog mix, and Ripley, a two and a half year old Great Dane who is Frida's absolute best friend. They are chaos together and we love it. Rounding out the group are Bo, a 14 year old mix who belongs to our neighbors, and Dewey — the two of them are basically the chill old men sitting on the side watching the mayhem unfold and wanting no part of it.
We also have two very special regular visitors — Bandit and Betty — local favorites who show up, make the rounds, and immediately make everything more fun.
Here's how a typical weekend goes.
Someone ends up in the backyard. Then a neighbor wanders over with their dog. Then another. Before long there are six dogs doing zoomies while their humans stand around laughing. People walk by on the street, see the chaos, and we wave them in. Sometimes it turns into an impromptu BBQ. Sometimes it's just a glass of wine and an hour of watching Frida and Ripley absolutely lose their minds together while Bo and Dewey observe from a safe distance with the energy of two retirees who have seen it all.
It is, without question, one of our favorite things.
There's something about dogs that does this — breaks down the walls between neighbors, gives strangers an instant reason to stop and talk. You can't walk past six dogs having the time of their lives and not smile. It's impossible.
https://youtu.be/kRgk8R08uOM
We do get out when we can. Rogers Beach in Westhampton Beach is one of our favorites — there's something about walking by the water with your dogs that just resets everything. Southaven County Park in Shirley is a great option if you want a proper walk through nature with your pup. And Frida's absolute favorite place on earth is our friends' farm in East Moriches — wide open space, room to run, and her best friend Ripley waiting for her. It's not open to everyone but if you ever find yourself with a standing invitation to a farm on Long Island, take it. Immediately.
Kava, our Great Dane mix who spent years coming to Pawcasso and logging more classroom hours than most students — she's not with us anymore. But every time Frida does something ridiculous and enormous and full of life, we see her.
That's the thing about dogs. They don't need much. A backyard, a friend or six, someone to throw them a treat and cheer them on. The rest is just details.
Pawcasso Treats are slow baked in small batches right here on Long Island — because the best things usually come from your own backyard. 🐾
