5 Working Dogs of NYC from the New Book City of Dogs
4. Rocket and Shin
Photograph by Traer Scott
Shin started out as a cat person. When she opened her first store in the East Village her companion was BooBoo. Then one day, a puppy in a window caught her eye and they formed an instant connection. Pepper joined the family and became Shin’s new shop dog, happily greeting customers at the door of her Chelsea storefront. Pepper was by Shin’s side through many changes in her business, home life, and the world at large over the years. It took a long time for Shin to get over the loss of Pepper, but in 2012 she adopted Rocket, a chow-mix who easily adjusted to the shop dog life. Shin says that walking her dogs helped her notice all of the changes occurring in the city around her. One of her favorite spots to walk to with Rocket, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was the Elizabeth Street Garden, and she hopes that the changes affecting the city today don’t lead to the loss of this special place.