Monday, September 14th, 2009

Each week, My Upper West interviews an Upper West Side resident who helps make our neighborhood the diverse and interesting place we love.  Today, we talk to Tony Harris, Jedi Dog Walker for Luke DogWalker, serving all of the Upper West Side.

So, what do you do all day?
My company, Luke DogWalker, specializes in personalized care for your pup.  We only walk two dogs at a time so they get the attention they deserve.  In addition to walks, Luke DogWalker offers in-home pet sitting, runs for active dogs, a bi-monthly newsletter, and Twitter/Facebook updates.  Clients love our reliability, promptness and personality.  Contact me at lukedogwalker@hotmail, and mention My Upper West to receive a 10% discount on walking services that can be combined with present offers for up to 25% off.

How long have you lived on the UWS?
I’ve been walking in the UWS since February.

What made you decide to move to the UWS?
It’s quiet, beautiful, and a stone’s throw from Central Park.

What is your favorite thing about the neighborhood?
The many different architectural styles.

Riverside Park or Central Park?
Central Park… nothing beats Frisbee on the Great Lawn.

Describe your best celebrity sighting on the UWS.
I met Detective Munch (Richard Belzer) in Riverside Park while walking Uno, a cute Jack Russell client.

What is your favorite meal on the UWS? Favorite place for a cocktail?
Falafel’s at Sido (Columbus near 72nd) for food and beers at Firehouse (85th and Columbus).

If you could change one thing about the UWS, what would it be?
The garbage collection times… at least on our street, way too early.

What would you like to see filling the empty storefronts in the UWS, or what would you like to see more of in the UWS?
Perhaps I just don’t know where to look, but I’d love to see more farmer’s markets.  I love the fruit stands on the corners, but a bigger selection once a week would be amazing.

Horse and carriage rides in Central Park: romantic, too touristy, or cruel?
Romantic for tourists, cruel and smelly for locals.

What are you looking forward to most: completion of Lincoln Center’s renovations, Trader Joe’s on 72nd and Broadway, the shops at Columbus Square, or completion of the 96th Street subway station?
Calling an audible here, I can’t wait for the construction along Riverside Drive from 64th to 72nd to be finished.  It looks like there are softball fields, volleyball courts and big stretches of public parks going in.

What is your favorite thing to do in the ‘hood on a nice UWS day?
Love the Ramble… it’s wooded and secluded so it’s not as crowded as the Great Lawn, but has parts that have enough space for bocce, badminton, and Frisbee.

Who is your favorite UWS resident, past or present?
A smart, beautiful young woman named Liv that I adore.  And yes, I would have said that even if she wasn’t sitting over my shoulder reading this!

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