Over the past year, we’ve interviewed many members of the hospitality industry, and one constant among the interviewees has been a profound love for their pets. We thought it would be great to share this love with our readers. That’s why we launched an ongoing feature called “Wag Wednesday” to showcase industry peeps and their pets. Know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at bark@miamifoodpug.com.
This week, we’re featuring Dustin Ward, Chef de Cuisine at BLT Prime at Trump National Doral, and his pitbulls, Meeko and Spike.
Your Name: Dustin Ward
Your Pet’s Name: Meeko and Spike
Sex: Males
Age: 1 year and 3 years old
Breed: Meeko is ½ lab and ½ pitbull. Spike is a red nose pitbull.
How did you come to own your dog? What drew you to them?
I got Meeko from my friend whose dogs had puppies, and I recently lost my other dog due to old age. He was picked out as the favorite by my three little girls.
I got Spike from a rescue center that I get posts from on my Facebook account. If nobody found him a home, he was going to be put down. So I went to that shelter to see him and asked why he was going to be put down. The only reason was that he got returned twice — not for doing anything wrong but for having too much energy. My girls and I played with him; he was extremely nice and lovable so I took him home.
What’s the story behind your dogs’ names?
Meeko got his name because he has black rings around his eyes like a raccoon. Being a father of three girls, what’s the name of a famous raccoon? Meeko from the Disney movie Pocahontas. So that’s how he got his name.
Spike already had his name. Since he was used to it, we did not want to change it.
How would you describe your dogs’ personalities?
They are both lovable cuddle bugs. They run and play all day, but they are always ready to relax when you are. Both are very protective of the girls; if one cries, they stop what they are doing to go see what happened.
How has owning a pet made your life richer?
I have always had dogs in my life and can’t imagine not having at least one. They are truly man’s best friend.
It’s said that dogs reflect their owners and vice versa. How does this apply to you and yours?
Its true. We love to play and rough house around, stop if one of the kids cry, and defend the house. And if you say something I don’t like, you usually get a stupid look. My dogs do all of the same, including giving you a stupid look if you tell them something they don’t want to hear — like “No.”
Tell us a funny story about your and your dogs.
Meeko and Spike love to wrestle around in the backyard. One day, they are running around chasing each other. So Spike was standing next to the pool, and out of nowhere you see Meeko running at full speed toward Spike. As soon as Meeko leapt into the air to jump onto Spike, Spike decided to lay down. So Meeko did not have Spike to block him and he went flying into the pool instead.
Meeko — soaking wet — gets out of the pool, and Spike went to go investigate what happened. Then, Meeko jumps onto Spike to knock him in. Next thing I know, they were both charging at me to knock me into the pool. That’s what I get for laughing at them for acting like kids.
We follow a lot of dog social media accounts like Doug the Pug and Menswear Dog. Do you? Which are your favorites?
Urgent Dogs of Broward Animal Care
See past editions of Wag Wednesdays here.