PAWS IN PARADISE

KEY WEST’S WORKING DOGS AND CATS

THE PIRATE DOG

The Cat Ambassador

Janice Gary

is a writer, dog mama and author of the awardwinning memoir, “Short Leash.” Her lifelong love of the Keys led her to living local on the rock with her husband and their dog, Ozzy, the Canine Tornado. janicegary.com

If you’ve strolled down the 600 block of Duval Street anytime in last 25 years, chances are you’ve seen the Key West Pirate Dog — or one of his predecessors, a dog wearing a skull and crossbones hat, tiny brightly colored sunglasses and a cape made of what appears to be a Santa cap with a hole cut out for the tail. Along with faithful first mate, Cowboy George, the Pirate Dog is one of the longest running street entertainer acts on Duval. The current Pirate Dog is King Coconut, a brown and black chihuahua-mix, he’s the third incarnation of the Pirate Dog, which began not as an act, but a matter of necessity.

In 1998, George’s first Key West dog, Sir Nigel, lost an eye in a dog attack. He placed a patch over it and soon everyone in town began calling the one-eyed mutt “the pirate dog.” His notoriety became the inspiration for what would become a legend in Key West street entertainment.

Coconut’s Pirate Dog act is simple but effective. He lounges on his mat near the corner of Eaton and Duval half asleep, surrounded by bits and pieces of pirate swag: an empty one-swig bottle of cheap rum, an open book, Fantasy Fest beads. When a kid squeals “Look, Daddy” or a bunch of girls swoon around him, George says, “Get up, Coco.” Coconut lazily raises his head. The fans go crazy.

It’s not a bad gig, considering he’s paid in chicken nuggets from Wendy’s. My dog would kill for that.

“It’s all about him,” George says. “I don’t even bother having my own tip jar any more.”

The Pirate Dog and his first mate have cut back to part-time hours a few days a week. George has been at it for 25 years and Coconut for 91 (in dog years).

It’s no surprise the act has lasted so long. The Key West Pirate Dog embodies all that is quirky and mythical about this town – the legacy of piracy, reinvention of self and the art of acquiring treasure.

That means tips, folks.

To be a successful member of a guest relations team in the hospitality industry, you must like people. If you think a cat couldn’t possibly meet that requirement, then you haven’t met “Doc,” the Lobby Ambassador at Old Town Manor.

When I visited, Doc was on break, lounging in his office behind the reception desk. All it took was mention of his name and he agreeably woke from a good catnap to come out into the lobby and make my acquaintance.

A large, gorgeous 6-year-old tabby, Doc has worked at the historic inn since 2017 when he was adopted from the FKSPCA. His name is a nod to the inn’s original owner, a doctor by trade.

Mai Stevens, a fellow staff member at the pet-friendly establishment, is one of Doc’s biggest fans. I asked how he gets along with dogs. “Dogs, cats, people, he’s great with them all.” Apparently, there was only one guest he didn’t take to, a hairless cat who was an internet celebrity. “Didn’t impress Doc at all.”

As lobby ambassador, he makes everyone feel at home. A party-lover, Doc can often be found mingling with wedding guests waiting in the lobby for the reception to begin. He’s also an official taste tester for the smoked salmon, bacon and organic eggs set out each morning.

“He gets a lot of love,” an employee told me. “Especially from folks who miss their pets back home.”

There was one guest who missed her cat so much she asked if Doc could sleep with her on her birthday. He obliged. That’s how devoted Doc is to keeping guests at Old Town Manor happy. It’s a rare cat that does that.

Or person, come to think of it.

PJ, THE PUG BOOKSELLER

Owner Suzanne Orchard has a sign on the door of Island Books alerting patrons that “PJ is in,” which means dog customers need to come back after 3:30 p.m. when his shift is over. Seems PJ, a friendly fellow who loves people and other dogs when they are not in his store, has a personal policy of no dogs in the shop while he’s on duty.

“He just started doing this,” Suzanne explains.

PJ, who just turned 3, has been working at Island Books since he was adopted by Suzanne and her husband as a pup. He spends much of his workday watching the comings and goings of the bookstore from his comfy (and secured) dog-bed-outfitted post behind the counter.

Suzanne says she can’t figure out how he sees dogs from back there. “But he barks as soon as they step through the door.”

Upon request though, PJ is happy to leave his counter position and help human customers. On the floor, he’s a consummate salesperson, making small talk, high-fiving book choices and creating memories of Key West for visitors and book aficionados.

“People come back year after year and ask for him by name,” says Suzanne.

I can see why they do. PJ is the quintessential adorable pug. But beyond his charm and good looks, there’s another reason people flock to him. Suzanne mentioned it and so did almost every person I interviewed who works with cats or dogs.

People miss their pets terribly when they travel without them. A brief encounter with a friendly working animal in a shop or hotel can make their day. For businesses, it’s a winwin. Owners get to have their pet with them, and their pet can bring in customers — and keep them coming back.

I’m thinking PJ might make the world’s cutest security dog, but what shop owner wouldn’t want someone on the floor who can bring in repeat customers? Doc does it for Old Town Manor and the Key West Pirate Dog has folks seeking him out.

Just a thought: Maybe we should rethink the workforce problem in this town.

IT’S GO TIME!

CHRIS McNULTY

is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com

Aries season is coming to a close, but this season is ending with a powerful new beginning. Just after midnight on April 20, a major solar eclipse is taking place in a strong alignment to Pluto. This is a potent time to start a new cycle for yourself and to assert your independence. Aries is the sign of the instinctive warrior, and under this eclipse we have the opportunity to begin anew as confident, courageous, perhaps a little impetuous champions for whatever it is that we deem important. Pluto makes this eclipse all the more powerful and may bring up some major challenges for you to face in order to sharpen your resolve. Time to set your intentions, sharpen your swords and step out into the arena with your wits about you!

Here are your horoscopes for the solar eclipse in Aries. Read for your rising and sun signs.

Aries

March 21 - April 19

Necessity is the mother of reinvention … or something like that. This solar eclipse is offering you the chance to drastically transform your identity or self-expression. Channel your inner Madonna and enter a new era. You may discover that as you go through your metamorphosis, some of your friends may throw some intense challenges your way. Let the chips fall where they may, but be true to your new beginning.

Taurus

April 20 - May 20

You are diving deep during this solar eclipse, embarking on a new journey into your subterranean spirituality and/or your unconscious underbelly. What’s down there? Better yet, what needs to change down there? Rarely do we have the opportunity to consciously influence our innate instincts, but you are being offered that chance now. Reflect, baby! Be aware that your job might try to test your inner journey – you know what’s most important though.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 21

Geminis are the social butterflies of the zodiac, and this solar eclipse is inviting you to a whole new party. Your friend circle may start going through a major shift because your own hopes and dreams are reorienting, and you will need a new social net to hold your newfound aspirations. Work with these changing patterns, and be aware that you may find old belief systems challenging your fresh ambitions.

Cancer

June 22 - July 22

Rise and shine, Cancer, because this eclipse is putting you in the public spotlight. A major career shift or some serious recognition is a-comin’ your way. Let your eyes adjust to the brightness, but know that the attention is well-deserved. As you advance, though, you may feel really strongly that you owe something to other people. Manage that as you will, but don’t allow that challenge to take your focus.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

Everyone has some sort of belief system or worldview that holds it all together for them. Generally, these belief systems stay more or less constant, but they can go through titanic shifts from time to time. You guessed it: it’s shifting time for you. Perhaps you learn a new spiritual practice, begin a new course of study, experience a new culture. As you embark, however, be prepared for a significant other to challenge your fresh perspective.

Virgo

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Whether or not stocks are your thing, investing is a matter of human life. We invest our time, energy, money, thoughts and emotions into people and projects all the time. This eclipse is offering you the chance to change your investment portfolio and to redirect your vested interests. However, where attention goes, energy flows. So be prepared for your old habits to die hard and don’t let your past routines hold you back.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

For you, this eclipse means you’re getting married! Just kidding, sorry I made you spit your drink out. But seriously, this eclipse is bringing a new start in the realm of romantic or business relationships. Perhaps a new person is entering your life or you’re beginning a new form of relationship arrangement (i.e. your throuple becomes a couple or a quadrouple). However this emerges, be prepared for the challenge of having too much fun.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 21

Solar eclipses are times of powerful new starts, and for you this entails fresh habits and routines. Daily sunrise yoga? Evening journaling? Three hours of video games a day? Use the energy of this eclipse to change your regular schedule of chores and selfcare. Your family may push back against your new choices and the physical space of your home may pose a challenge to your new routines, but changing habits requires perseverance.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Tap into your inner Frida Kahlo, Oscar Wilde or Jean-Michel Basquiat and let this eclipse send you on a new creative path. Everyone has an inner artist, and yours is yearning to be born or preparing to be reinvented. Tap into your bliss and share it with the world. You may have intense feelings that you are not communicating your work correctly, but don’t let that hold you back. Let it loose.

Capricorn

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

You won a new house! (The author and the publishers are not liable for acting upon this nonbinding statement). Kidding aside, this eclipse does affect your home and family life, offering you the chance to begin a new journey in this realm. Perhaps a new home is how it will manifest, perhaps you will learn a new revelation about your family, perhaps you really discover what home is. One bit of advice, don’t let financial anxiety prevent you from prioritizing what matters.

Aquarius

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

This powerful solar eclipse is giving you a beautiful opportunity to embark on the paradoxical journey of seeing what is familiar anew. You are being given a new perspective on your siblings, your neighborhood, your method of communication – the things in your life that you interact with regularly. A new perspective also involves a new sense of self, and be prepared to put up some internal resistance.

Pisces

Feb. 19 - March 20

You have a fresh start available to you related to your finances and material belongings, but also involving your sense of self-worth. Perhaps a promotion or a new job is on the horizon, or perhaps you reevaluate whether more money will actually bring more value into your life. This shift requires facing some profound fears and self-doubts, but working through these directly offers you real abundance on the other side.