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Privileged Pets of Private Newport

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Last summer’s post on “Newport Living: A Pampered Pets Perspective” was so popular (no surprise) that I knew I needed to include a part two for 2018. It has been a bit of a “fast and furious” end-of-summer with everyone’s travel and houseguests plans, but I did manage to catch eleven of these privileged pets (sometimes just under the wire…as I write, Cricket and Cookie Elebash are on the plane to Palm Beach).

With a warm thank you to their devoted owners who prove once again (as a friend opined last year) “owning and pampering our pets is a gift we give ourselves.” Unconditional love knows no bounds. Would we have it any other way?

Given her choice, Starr the Shitzu always gravitates to one of the matched pair of potted bird of paradise at her owners new Palladian folly designed by Madison Spencer.

How many Boston terriers have the opportunity to live in an early eighteenth century colonial with a seventeenth century wing? Phoebe Ray in the window seat of the elegant dining room.

Why is this six month old bundle of fur named Boomer Bowman? Because his golden retriever’s tail has a crook in it that can only remind you of a boomerang. At the moment, his favorite landing pad is this blow-up swan — inspired by the real swans that glide by just over the rocks at Lily Pond.

Naughty Pierre Grant, a miniature poodle featured in front of the miniature daisy-like flowers of feverfew, has well earned his sobriquet…but that is part of his attraction.

Signs of summer…an Adirondack chair looking out upon the water is the perfect perch for “Princess” Diana Egan — a fetching Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cookie and Cricket Elebash — A pair of Ragdoll one year old kitties (though not from the same litter) divide their time between Newport and Palm Beach.

There seems to be a Havanese colony in Newport — starting first with Olive and her playmate Lilibet Ross. They traverse the streets of our town with their owner on a bicycle outfitted with baskets and a “caboose.”

Why wouldn’t you be called Pepper Cullen when your owner is beloved as a hostess with enviable culinary skills? Being a Portuguese Water Dog in this family has its perks.

A South Carolina transplant (Boykin Spaniel is the state dog), Millie McMillen is the first one to appreciate her owner’s decorating skills.

Handsome standard poodle, Luke Stubbs, lives in one of the most storied “garages” in Newport on the former Arthur Curtiss James estate, with its island-quarried stone facade.

One lucky rabbit! (with a saluting ear). Ten year old Tyrone Dryer resides on a private sanctuary for rescued and abandoned pet rabbits (rabbitcare.org). That is, when he’s not  helping his owner sell jewels from her Bellevue Avenue shop. Proceeds from these in-demand pieces also helped fund the new construction of our island’s rescue shelter, the Potter League for Animals.

Have a glorious Labor Day weekend!

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About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".

7 thoughts on “Privileged Pets of Private Newport

  1. OMG – they are so precious! Who is the handsome boy under the American flag, in the last photograph?

  2. I loved all the animals. Aren’t they lucky to be in Newport? We have a bumper sticker that says it all. “My dogs summer in Newport!”

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