Story by Bonnie Craig
Break out your beads and bellbottoms, Tucson dogs, because Woofstock is here once again! Get ready for a raucous good time as party animals of all shapes and sizes come out to celebrate in the spring sunshine. Of course no Woofstock celebration would be complete without our latest cover dog, so let us stand on ceremony and welcome to these esteemed ranks the distinguished Hastings Pupperkins!
Before we learn all about him, let us check in with our runners up. Homie has come a long way since being rescued from a shelter after surviving a backyard breeding operation and being attacked by other dogs. At first the poor little guy couldn’t even walk due to injuries to his back legs. Luckily, his foster family fell in love with him, and after nursing him back to health, made him a permanent member of the crew. He now enjoys hiking, snuggling with his kitty, and playing ball, among many other things. We love this for him! Keep it real Homie!
Stella, an English Bulldog originally from Colorado, enjoys all the finer things life has to offer a dog, such as treats, trips, and family time. She dreams of being a social media influencer, who will use her celebrity to further good causes. She already dresses up for social media to support her fellow creatures on both the national and international level. Thanks for giving back to your community and beyond, Stella! You really are a star!
Many will remember Trixie, the rags to riches Aussie with the winning personality, who continues to vie for the cover dog spotlight, after winning runner up in the last contest, and ceding the race to her sister, Koko in the one before that. She is still going strong; herding her people, catching toys, and turning heads at 8 years old. Deep down you’ll always be a cover girl, Trixie. Stay fancy!
Striking 9 month old Siberian Husky mix, Akira, is apparently a little goofy, despite her majestic appearance. She loves to play with her two siblings- Rocky, a Cane Corso Rotti-mix, and Nezuko, an American Bully. Akira enjoys apples, broccoli, carrots, and strawberries, but NOT watermelon! Like many a husky, she is a talker, and even gives her people sass when she doesn’t get her way, but all in all Akira is a silly love muffin, always ready for a good time.
Speaking of a good time, this year’s Woofstock cover dog winner is a charming little fellow by the name of Hastings Pupperkins! He’s no ordinary dog, hence the extraordinary name; His people wanted to give him something distinguished, yet also indicative of his sidekick nature. They arrived at Hastings after the character Arthur Hastings, esteemed companion of Hercule Poirot in the popular detective novels by Agatha Christie. Pupperkins, was an addition meant to denote further dignity, with just a hint of silliness. We are getting ahead of ourselves, however. Let us step back in time and learn the origin story of this remarkable rapscallion.
With a name like Hastings Pupperkins, we may assume he was whelped in some marvelous castle, a golden platter just waiting to serve him the finest kibble, but alas, this was not the case. Like any fairytale hero, he came from humble beginnings, and would not hit the proverbial jackpot of a family until a few months later, when during a hike near Rose Canyon on Mount Lemmon, a good samaritan was alerted to something by his dog.
Upon further investigation, they discovered the artist who would come to be known as Hastings Pupperkins abandoned in a box along with his three brothers. In what could only have been a stroke of fate, the kind hearted person brought the box of puppies to VCA Valley Animal Hospital, where they were seen to by emergency veterinarian, Dr. Kim Olsen, who at that time still believed herself to be “just a cat person”. The dehydrated and tick infested pups were otherwise healthy, and at three months were ready for adoption. Hastings’ three brothers went to PACC where they were quickly snapped up, but for Dr. Kim, it was love at first sight. She immediately decided that the sweet little Chihuahua Shih Tzu with the goofy underbite would be joining the family.
Said family consisted of Dr. Kim, her husband, and four kitty siblings. In keeping with the eccentrically charming naming convention of the family they are, Simba Doo, Benny Biscuits, Coconut, and Cleo. The first three of whom are Hastings’ buddies, and the third of which merely “tolerates his existence”. Given his tender age and the cats’ superior size at the time, they showed Hastings the ropes around the house. Now he plays with some of the cats, snuggles with others, and all around, they make a great team.
While he is most often nice, Hastings Pupperkins does have his naughty tendencies. Despite his mom being a veterinarian, she has to farm out the chore of trimming his claws to her colleagues, as he simply refuses to let her do it. He’s also a little big for his britches, barking at others many times his size, but overall, he’s just a good natured, fun loving guy. A huge lover of hikes, he recently visited Oak Creek trail in Sedona, where he got to slide on the icey creek and fearlessly plunge in after sticks, seemingly impervious to the frigid temperature of the water. He loves chasing a ball, hates baths, but loves playing on his splash pad and getting sprayed with the hose. He loves cheese, ice cubes, and jerky. Yum, who doesn’t?!
Hastings Pupperkins gets to go to work with Dr. Kim every day and still enjoys sleeping in the drawer where he slept as a puppy, earning the additional monikers, “Drawer Pup” and “Harry Pupper”. The two are now inseparable, and he is a wonderfully positive influence on all those around him. “I have a tough job,” says Dr, Kim, “and he’s there to help me through the stress and help relieve the emotional toll that the job takes on me and my staff. He’s a little stubborn beacon of joy!” Hasting Pupperkins would advise that, “When the wind blows hard, turn and face it- you’ll look cooler than if you had turned away.” and we thank you for that wisdom, sir!
Thanks again also to our lovely runners up, Akira, Homie, Trixie, and Stella, for letting us get to know you a little (a little more in Trixie’s case). Perhaps we’ll meet again, and speaking of which, if any of our readers recognize any of the puppies pictured here with Hastings, please reach out!
It would be glorious if the brothers could be reunited. One more congratulations to you, sweet Hastings Pupperkins. Enjoy the limelight!
