Legendary Mets sportscaster Howie Rose is being honored with a living legacy: a golden retriever puppy named Howie, currently training at Citi Field to become a service dog for veterans. Rose, who will retire in September after four decades behind the microphone, called this honor "right at the top of the list," surpassing any bobblehead or plaque.
"It is an honor, it's a big honor," Rose told the New York Post. "Veterans give enough of themselves. For the ones who sacrifice limbs or other faculties that render them compromised — to have a beautiful, sweet animal to help them out is a gift from above, really. Dogs are just so loving and so loyal. And aren't veterans?"
The 4-month-old yellow Labrador is the fourth dog raised in partnership between America's VetDogs and the Amazin' Mets Foundation, following in the paw prints of previous service dogs named Shea, Seaver, and Buddy.
Despite being allergic to his furry namesake, Rose joked that their only commonality is that they both "like meat." John Miller, CEO of America's VetDogs, noted that both Rose and the dog share an "overwhelming sense of loyalty."
"It's a tribute to Howie Rose's career and his lifelong commitment to the Mets and the Mets fans. It was a natural thing," Miller said of the Long Island-based nonprofit's collaboration with the Amazin' Mets Foundation.
Little Howie will spend the next year training at Citi Field, using the stadium's environment to overcome fears of noise, lights, smells, and crowds, preparing him for a future veteran. The pup will also undergo three months of specialized training for approximately 30 tasks, including medical episode detection and waking an owner from nightmares.
"He's a very confident dog — Mr. Brave," said Sarah Zagaja, one of Howie's official puppy handlers, along with her husband, Bob. The couple, who previously helped raise Buddy, patrol Citi Field with Howie at least twice a week when the Mets are playing. "Some of the fans can be a little over the top — stopping us, yelling, 'We need a picture!' But it's all fun."
The puppy typically begins exposure shifts on the field during batting practice, drawing attention from both fans and players. Francisco Lindor is noted to frequently pet Howie. The pup is often stationed in the stadium's promenade to greet fans as they enter, appearing unfazed by the attention. He navigates through stadium crowds during games, weaving through fans moving between seats and concessions.
For now, fans are permitted to pet Howie and take pictures, and can even take home a Howie playing card. However, the Zagajas caution that by next season, Howie will be less accessible to the public to maintain focus on his training.
"We want every interaction to be positive, and as we interact with the fans, we get to tell the story of what his purpose is and get the message out about what America's VetDogs does and what the Amazin' Mets Foundation does," said Bob Zagaja. "It's really a win-win for us, Howie, the fans, the players, and then ultimately the veteran who gets him."