New Yorkers are taking their dogs everywhere — or going nowhere
Pup-obsessed New Yorkers are curtailing their summer travel plans and nights out rather than leave Fido home alone — or going to expensive lengths to take their pets with them.
When 29-year-old Upper East Sider Jordan Cohen's family told him they preferred he and his fiancé, Christine Silikowski, 30, not bring their Golden retriever puppy Hudson to family gatherings in Port Washington, the couple knew how to respond.
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'We just started saying we couldn't come,'' Silikowski told The Post, adding, 'We actually go out less [because of the dog].'
6 Christine Silikowski and Jordan Cohen say they see family less because their dog, Hudson, isn't welcome at some gatherings.
Courtesy of Jordan Cohen
At Sojourn Social on the Upper East Side, owner Sammy Musovic said he's had over 1,000 people ask if they could dine with their pups. The restaurant and watering hole now caters to dogs and their owners with regular puppy hours — complete with free 'barcuterie' plates for four-legged customers and drink specials for two-legged patrons — that draw crowds.
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On a recent night, Yorkville couple Rich Weiss, 38, and Maggie O'Keefe, 40, enjoyed the offerings with their small, mixed-breed pooch, Leo.
'We bring Leo because we try to maintain an emotional connection with him, the way we would with a biological child,'' Weiss said.
New Yorkers' obsessions are part of a nationwide trend. A recent survey by TrustedHousesitters found that nearly half of US pet owners feel separation anxiety if they travel without their animals, while 54% worry their pets will feel abandoned while they are away.
Jill Xu, a 28-year old who lives in Nomad, takes her 4.5-pound Maltipoo, Hershey, with her on her travels because she's concerned about his mental health.
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6 Jill Xu and dog Hershey enjoy jetsetting around Europe.
Courtesy of Jill Xu
'He is shy and was bullied when he was little, so I wasn't OK with putting him in dog care,'' she told The Post.
The tiny pup is currently jet-setting around Europe with Xu and her husband.
'He really enjoys coming with us; you can just see it in his expression and how much his nose wiggles,' she said of the lucky dog, who has an EU pet passport to make getting around easier. 'I couldn't imagine not bringing him.'
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Xu and her husband have faced some judgement because of how they treat Hershey.
6 Hershey has his own EU passport to make travel easier.
Courtesy of Jill Xu
'A lot of people think it's ridiculous, and it is difficult because we have to call ahead to every site and restaurant to make sure they accept dogs, but even if we travel with friends I insist on bringing him,' she said.
While many of the most dog-obsessed New Yorkers don't have kids, some do — but are seemingly more concerned about their four-legged family members.
'My clients are happy to put their kids in summer camp, but won't get on a plane without their dogs,'' said Edward Alava, owner of the Dog Store, a pet boutique and dog salon on East 61st. 'Some bring them in to get a lavender bath and massage to calm them before getting on a flight.''
To get around restrictions on flying with dogs on commercial airlines, semi-private pet travel has become increasingly popular.
6 BARK Air offers flights tailored to dogs.
Courtesy of BarkAir
BARK Air, which flies out of Teterboro, launched in May 2024, offering flights from New York to London and Los Angeles on chartered Gulfsteam jets.
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According to the company's president, Michael Novotny, the airline has flown more than 1,000 dogs on 142 flights, and produced $6 million in revenue.
'We have taken a 200-pound Bernese Mountain Dog, and Yorkies,'' reported Novotny.
Earlier this year, BARK Air expanded to offer flights Fort Lauderdale, for as little as $900. Taking the airline to Europe — it now flies from New York to London, Milan, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Lisbon — can cost over $10,000 for a person and their pup, and often sell out. Novotny justifies the cost.
6 Dogs get pampered onboard BARK Air.
Courtesy of BarkAir
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'We get to know every dog, so we know their needs,' he said. 'The emotional cost of leaving your dog at home is greater than the financial cost.''
Earlier this year, a similarly pet-centric airline, RetrievAir, launched with flights leaving from Farmingdale, Long Island. Like BARK Air, it offers various amenities to dogs onboard, such as treats and calming music.
'I knew there was demand and most people understand it makes the trip better to bring your dogs along, and you don't have to worry about them being sad at home,' said founder Benton Miller, 33.
6 Flights to Europe on BARK Air can cost upwards of $10,000.
Courtesy of BarkAir
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Fares range from $949 to go to Ft. Lauderale to $2,800 for Los Angeles, with dogs up to 40 pounds flying free. Seats need to be purchased for bigger dogs, but if two people are flying, the dog seat is thrown in gratis.
Cohen and Silikowski, who plan to have Hudson in their wedding next month, are looking into traveling with the dog on RetrievAir.
Silikowski said, 'We would to show him new places.''
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