All the dogs featured in the BKLN Manners™ book are clients or members of Doggie Academy. And they're all rescues! Learn more about these awesome pups' journeys here.
All photos from BDTC are by the incomparable Constantine Onishchenko. Please check him out on constantism.com, Facebook and Instagram!
Batman and Beans
These two Chihuahua mixes are Kate's current dogs. Batman, left, has been a member of the family since 2004. Kate adopted him from Zani's Furry Friends after he'd been surrendered to Animal Care Centers of NYC. The first night in his new home, Kate and her husband tucked Batman into a doggie bed and, upon waking the next morning, found him buried deep under the covers of their (human) bed. Such was the beginning of life with a very determined, opinionated little dog. Fast forward a decade later and Kate and Jun adopted Beans, a one-eyed middle-aged girl from Our Best Friends rescue, a group that took her in after being saved from deplorable hoarding conditions. (Check Beans out on Instagram!) A beautiful soul despite a terrible past, Beans is the sunshine that balances Batman's seriousness. She largely inspired BKLN Manners™, as her transition to a bustling urban lifestyle was tumultuous. Kate had to delicately balance management and training techniques to help Beans overcome numerous issues, from dog reactivity to fears of people, noises and movement. Now confident enough to participate in Dog Parkour and "help" Kate teach classes at Brooklyn Dog Training Center, Beans has fully embraced her New York lifestyle.
Malik Jr.
That face! Rising Facebook star Malik Jr. started from humble beginnings. Found tied to a pole on a cold December day in 2015, Malik Jr. ended up at Animal Care Centers of NYC. With the help of Red Hook Dog Rescue, he was placed with a foster mom, Rachel, who already had two rescues. It didn't take long for Rachel to "foster fail" this special guy, giving Malik Jr. his forever home. Now this handsome bulldog is a proud spokesdoggie for the city shelter, featured in numerous print ads throughout New York City promoting adoption.
Susu
Susu is just the sweetest pit bull you ever did meet. This pretty girl was found as a stray and taken to Animal Care Centers of NYC, and then placed with Pound Hounds Res-Q, where she met her doting adopters Joe and Ilyssa. Susu is now living the good life; she has earned her Canine Good Citizen certification, struts her stuff on the agility course, and has proven time and time again to be an expert cuddler. On top of all that, Susu adores babies of the human variety, and when a baby is around, this gentle girl is glued to their side.
Finn
Finn, a Pointer mix from a shelter in Georgia, was transported as a puppy to Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Mass. That's where he was adopted by Jacob, and Finn subsequently started growing… and growing... and growing. Kate has watched Finn mature into a fun-loving adult who doesn't hesitate to let you know exactly how he's feeling. (For instance, during our photoshoot for BKLN Manners™, Finn decided he needed a break. He dramatically flopped on his side and had some very stern words for all of us. Point taken, Finn.) Despite his knack for hilarious histrionics, Finn earned his Canine Good Citizen certification and breezed through an advanced manners class. Good boy!
BKLN in Spirit
Four of Kate's best teachers: Cindy the Golden Retriever who just walked in one day and decided to stay the next 15 years; Three the three-legged Sato, Kate's furry soulmate; Walter the blind (and ultimately deaf) senior Boston Terrier who always found something to smile about; and Owen the feisty hospice dog who, once moving in, chose to extend his stay on earth far past everyone's expectations.
