The baseball bulldog
Sinatra, a 5-year-old Frenchie, works alongside owner Jay Goldberg at the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse, a downtown shop dedicated to America’s great pastime. The dog’s eyes look blue in the right light, hence his name, but he’s like the famous crooner in other ways. “He is a womanizer,” Goldberg says. “He jumps up whenever a female walks in the store and pretty much ignores men.” The precious pup (pictured above in the shop) typically wears a baseball shirt to work but no hat. “So far I haven’t found one that fits over his ears,’’ laments Goldberg.
* Bergino Baseball Clubhouse, 67 E. 11th St.; 212-226-7150
The Pilates pup
At Well-Balanced Pilates studio, Bo, a middle-aged Lhasa Apso, has been known to work out alongside the human customers, who regularly lavish him with treats and gifts. “He likes to stretch with clients,” explains Bo’s owner, Stephanie Bishop (above with her dog). “He gets underneath them, and he does the Pilates back bend.’’
* Well-Balanced Pilates, 236 E. 80th St.; 646-295-6715
The hospitable kitty
Since the 1930s, a cat — either a male called Hamlet or a female named Matilda — has held court at the Algonquin. The latest is this gray-and-white girl (above) who came to the hotel in 2010 and has distinguished herself with her personality. “This one thinks she is a dog,” hotel staffer Alice Dealmeida says of the reigning Matilda. “She’s actually very assertive and a bit bossy. When the fire alarm went off, she just sat in her chair and gave us a look like ‘who is bothering my nap?’ ”
* Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44th St.; 212-840-6800
The lucky cat
Canine Styles, an Upper East Side pet shop, caters exclusively to dogs, but it’s a 12-year-old cat named Bibi King (left) who gets all the attention. The store’s owner, Chad Conway, says his cat has a huge human following. “There are people who come every day to see him,” he enthuses. “Several students and at least one study group at Hunter College up the street come in and touch Bibi for luck before every exam.’’
* Canine Styles, 830 Lexington Ave.; 212-838-2064
The charming snake
Just because snakes are cold-blooded doesn’t mean they can’t be warm shopkeepers. Ivan, a 3-month-old baby python, loves interacting with customers at Best Pet RX pharmacy.
“Pythons constrict when they feel nervous, but Ivan just relaxes in someone’s hand,” says Danny Carrero, owner of the pet shop and the reptile (both pictured left). “He loves the attention.”
* Best Pet RX, 1751 Second Ave.; 212-348-1800