Wag Wednesday: Joshua Gripper & Bentley

wag-wednesday

Since starting the blog, 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 Joshua Gripper, Executive Pastry Chef at The Dutch, and his dog, Bentley.

Your Name: Joshua Gripper

Your Pet’s Name: Bentley

Sex: Male

Age: 7

Breed: Mix Papillon/Chihuahua

How did you come to own your dog? What drew you to him?

My wife’s uncle owned Bentley. We took Bentley in after he passed. I was reluctant because we already had two cats. I thought a third animal was too much. She insisted, so I gave in. That night I was watching TV, he came on the couch, laid next to me, and we’ve been friends since.

What’s the story behind your dog’s name?

Not sure how he got the name Bentley, but he’s definitely high maintenance like a Bentley.

How would you describe your dog’s personality?

He is playful and energetic. Loves to snuggle with people. Extremely happy,  especially when he’s being walked.

How has owning a pet made your life richer?

Owning a pet reminds me that all animals have feelings, compassion, and the capacity to love. It causes me to respect food and nature.

It’s said that dogs reflect their owners and vice versa. How does this apply to you and yours?

We are both happy-go-lucky, impulsive and stubborn. We can’t keep still for too long,  and we love to be outdoors.

Tell us a funny story about you and your dog.

The first night we had Bentley, he ran across the bed while I was sleeping. My wife was terrified that he would wake me up because I was still on the fence about keeping him. She kept looking at me throughout the night. Luckily, I’m a heavy sleeper and had no clue. She told me about the first night with Bentley months later after we became best buds.

Are you involved in any pet organizations or philanthropies?

I would love to be involved in dog organizations. Unfortunately, my schedule as a chef does not provide much wiggle room for the kind of time I would like to give. I often donate to charities at Petsmart whenever I go.

We follow a lot of dog social media accounts like Doug the Pug, Rocco’s Contemporary Life, and Menswear Dog. Do you? Which are your favorites?

I follow ilovegolden_retrievers because they are cool-looking dogs. Also, Deanthebasset because he looks like he is having way more fun than me every day.

See past editions of Wag Wednesdays here.