Last week, M+P Biancamano’s resident good boy, Jake the Puggle, passed away just days shy of his 16th birthday. Over the years, Jake has built quite the legacy for himself in The Mile Square, bringing no shortage of smiles to deli customers + Hoboken residents at large from his storefront post. To honor Jake and the Biancamano family, we’re taking a trip down memory lane (all the way back to 2015) when The Hoboken Girl profiled this celebrity pup. Our team sends so much love to the Biancamano family, whose kindness + love for their pup was felt by all — Jake will be as missed as he was adored. Read on for our interview with Jake the Puggle from the archives.
It’s no secret we are big dog fans over here. From the HG mascot, Pierre the Frenchie, to our Adoptable Pet series with Liberty Humane, we just love our furry friends. That’s why we thought it’d be fun to feature some famous/awesome Hoboken pups in our new column: The Dogs of Hoboken.
Read More: Fitness for Dogs: Tips from a Local Expert
You may have seen these furry faces around town, but there is more to these four-leggers than just meets the eye– here we’ll share their stories. So, without further ado, in true HG fashion — our first ever Hoboken Dog is an eight year old puggle — whose bark is definitely bigger than his bite!
^ Jake, protector of the mutz!
If you’ve ever gotten an Italian hero from M+P Biancamano’s deli on 11th and Washington, chances are you’ve probably been greeted by this sassy, squishy-faced pup at one time or another. His name is Jake. He’s an eight-year-old puggle (pug and beagle mix) and although he may seem ferocious at first, he’s actually harmless + quite adorable.
Jake’s parents, Pietro and Teresa Biancamano, owners of the M + P Biancamano deli for the past 34 years, tell us his story.
“My husband and I have always loved dogs. Both of us grew up with animals,” says Teresa. “Eight years ago our son rescued Jake as a puppy from a shelter in Ohio. Our son had a lot on his plate at the time with a new baby so we helped him out with Jake. Eventually, he became the family pet.”
“Jake thinks he’s such a tough guy, always barking at everyone,” says Pietro, Jake’s dad. “He doesn’t really like big dogs or strangers in his house. He lets them know by being super loud!” Jake’s mom and dad assure everyone that he’s a sweet dog at heart. “Jake really loves people. He’s very social. He’s never bitten anyone or any dog. He just likes to put on a show and try to protect his momma.” says Teresa. “We just spoil him a lot. I think everyone who loves their dog does!”
^Forget long walks on the beach…Jake loves long walks down Hudson!
Jake’s mom filled us in on all of his quirks:
What’s Jake’s favorite dog treat?
He actually hates most dog treats. He spits them right out!
What’s Jake’s favorite human food?
He LOVES chicken!
See More: Coping with the Loss of a Pet — Resources + Ideas
Who is Jake’s best dog friend?
He doesn’t have too many dogs he gets along with but he absolutely loves his neighbor Mookie the pug. They grew up together as puppies!
What’s his favorite naughty thing to do?
Besides barking lots, Jake loves to take pillows from the couch, push them together, and bury himself beneath them.
Where is Jake’s favorite place to go on his walks?
He loves the waterfront. I think he likes the views.
What is Jake’s happy place?
His favorite place to be is the storefront of our deli. Jake likes to greet all of our regulars and our neighbors that come by. He enjoys observing and loves the fresh air.
^Greeting our camera with a bark!
