Check out the Ouie Pierre Photo Gallery at the end of article.
Ouie Pierre is one hot dog. He’s been in ads around the world and lives in Minneapolis with his daddies. Always ready with a killer-cute look or witty BOL (Bark Out Loud) comment, you can follow him on Twitter at @OuiePierre or find him on Facebook. This fresh French Bulldog is worth keeping an eye on.
What is your name?
My name is Ouie Pierre, I’m an AKC registered purebred French Bulldog.
How do you pronounce it?
It’s pronounced oooo-eeee peee air.
How did you get your name?
L’ouie means “hearing” in French, which is apropos since I have such big ears!
Nicknames?
Daddies sometimes tell people I’m a French poop-n-chew…or they call me MonkeyButt!
Where were you born?
Inver Grove Heights Animal Clinic. I still go there for all my appointments and they still remember me!
How old are you?
I’m 4.5 years old in 2-legged years…31.5 if you wanna go that 7-year thing regarding dogs. I’ve also heard people tease my daddy that I have the legs of a 2-year-old dog since I get carried around so much.
Where do you live?
I live in a condo just across the river from Downtown Minneapolis. I love seeing the sunset over the buildings (except during the fireworks–they’re too loud for me but it’s amazing to sit in the living room and have them fill our view).
Who do you live with?
I live with my two daddies, Jason and John. I get to socialize with all my fur-friends that live in my building and in the neighborhood.
Career?
I mostly spend my days sleeping, but often find myself doing photo shoots and hanging out on sets! I haven’t decided what I want to be when I grow up…but an only child is certainly one of them!
Most interesting thing you’ve done for your job?
I got to do an advertising campaign for the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas resort (it was a billboard in Vegas and was in W, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Sports Illustrated, Bon Appetit, The New Yorker, Wired, etc), and there were thousands of cakes and cookies in the penthouse…but Daddy wouldn’t let me try them. I did get some of my kibble and some strawberries. Afterward, Daddy brought me down to the slots–for luck–and he won a couple jackpots!
I just did a Minnesota Lottery Money Machine TV commercial. The money was blowing all over and Daddy held me tight as he jumped around trying to grab the money. You might be seeing my face on some Davanni’s billboards soon, also!
Most exotic place you’ve traveled?
We brachycephalic dogs (short muzzle and flat face) are no longer allowed to fly under the plane in cargo…so, luckily, I’m small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat of the plane and keep Daddy company on his journeys. I’ve been to L.A. and Long Beach a handful of times; Las Vegas; Vero Beach, Florida; and up to Northern Wisconsin and Northern Minnesota.
Where do you stay when your daddies go out of town?
If they are both gone, I stay with Auntie Peggy. She has a big fenced-in yard which is very different than my usual routine of sitting in the hallway, waiting for the elevator, and then going out! If one daddy is home, then I get lunch-time snuggle breaks from Auntie Beth, Auntie Julie Ann, or Auntie Lisa!!
Front seat or back seat?
The second day Daddy brought me home, he had a death in the family and we jumped in the car and drove for four hours to Northern Wisconsin. We bonded as I slept curled up in his lap. I like to think I helped him navigate in his time of need, also. So now it’s usually the front seat, but he puts the back down in the Jeep so I have a bed and space to run around in the car if I want. I also make friends with all the people at the drive-ups…sometimes I scare them at first, but then usually get a smile and a treat.
Where’s your favorite place to go for a walk in the Twin Cities?
I love walking just outside our front door, along the river by St. Anthony Main. There are always other friends, runners, a horse-drawn carriage, festivals, and lots going on down there.
Best place to mark territory?
There is a spot over at the U of M across from the Dairy Queen that has amazingly long soft grass…Daddies get their riDQulous treats and I leave one for the groundskeeper.
Best friends?
Well there is my G’ma’s dog, Sassy Cooper (though she is old and crabby and only likes people…what am I? Chopped liver?), and my friends Lee Roy the mini-dachshund, Ginger from Ollu, Atticus, Bogey, Coco, Peanut, Abbey, Ozzie and Lola. Those are just some of my fur-friends…for four-legged the list is toooooo long. I kinda like to put a smile on everyone’s face!!
What do you always say? Any phrases or quotes that are SO Ouie Pierre?
I coined the term “BOL” for “Bark Out Loud” for my Facebook posts. And I usually sign everything “xx oop“–because our time is shorter here on Earth–we are generally here to share our love.
Favorites:
Musician?
I rode in the elevator with the wonderful Olivia Newton-John and Daddy recognized her by her voice…Daddy’s version of “I Honestly Love You” sounds nothing like hers. She has a doggie, also!
I love to listen to old R &B with Daddy; Dee Dee Warwick, Loleatta Holloway, Esther Phillips, etc…I also have a lot of Laura Branigan, Lisa Stansfield, Tanita Tikaram, Wendy Matthews, and Ingrid Chavez on my iPod.
Television show?
Daddy says I love all the shows on the USA Network, but I think I generally sleep thru most of them. That is, until a commercial with an animal in it comes on…then I am up and scratching and barking at the TV. Gotta protect my home and my Daddies.
Minneapolis or St. Paul?
Oh, I love all the Twin Cities and surrounding ‘burbs. But if I had to pick one, Minneapolis, of course; that is where I have my lifetime dog license.
Place to curl up and nap?
If I cannot find some rays of sun in our house, then either of Daddies’ laps is a perfect alternative (it’s actually my first choice – but I gotta keep them in line).
Facebook or Twitter?
Both, actually! I have been posting photos and giving birthday wishes on Facebook for a couple of years. I’m just trying to get the hang of this Twitter thingy – good thing I have lots of free time during the day.
Sports Player?
I met Christian Ponder in Uptown last summer–he is a handsome one! I also met Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and he called me a little critter–a lion would be a little critter compared to him. I also met some of the Vikings Cheerleaders and they were nice.
Psychic?
Ruth Lordan is a friend of Daddy’s and she comes over and we chat. She re-iterates how much I love them.
TV personality?
Chris Shaffer from WCCO is a fun guy!! I got to be the “on the spot ” photo for Father’s Day one year. His lovely wife Gloria brought their three daughters to hang out with me and now they have their very own cutie patootie puppy named Bailey.
Hobbies?
I enjoy going to the Room & Board Outlet almost every weekend. My pal Marilyn has a bag of my treats in her pouch (“treats” again…I’m starting to think it’s really just my regular food). I get lots of kisses and pets from all the great people who work there.
I also make my daddies go to Estate Sales (NOT garage sales…one daddy says there is a BIG difference) and I help sniff out great deals. The Estate Sales people are always so sweet and say they look forward to seeing me!
I like to sit in my mesh tent and watch daddies play tennis. I think at first they thought I would be the perfect candidate for fetching their errant balls. We had a talk and now they just promise to try to play better since that was not going to work out for me–all that running and sweating and fetching.
What’s your life aspiration?
Everyday that I make sure my daddies start and end the day with a kiss and a smile lets me know I’m in the right place. I tried out to be a Therapy Dog but the mean lady said I couldn’t pass because I would not lay down flat on command. Hey, I just don’t wanna do that stupid trick…oh, well. I have visited a few nursing homes and hospitals on my own. Old people are good scratchers, too!!!!
I also want to do more helping rescue dogs find homes. I have a line of blank greeting cards that I have donated for fundraisers and raffles. There are so many wonderful four-leggers out there that need someone to love them–they just might end up rescuing you!
What’s on your bucket list?
I was friends on Facebook with a dog named Bingo in Canada who had a lick-it list…we sent him some local treats for him to enjoy. I have had such fun adventures, I am grateful for all my time here, and just want to love love love!! I just thought of one thing and that would be to find a cure for my allergies! Boy, that would be nice! I guess retiring to Florida sounds fun, too!
Oh…and I am working to end black dog discrimination!!!! Two of the local animal agencies always say black dogs can’t model–they don’t want a black dog…if only you were cream or blonde…too hard to light…well, my daddy says to rent a few more lights or hire any of these awesome photographers who were quite capable of taking my picture!! I have been photographed by Nadav Kander, arguably one of the top shooters in the world–he has also photographed the President of the United States!! BOL and a SNAP.
What’s for supper?
Blue Buffalo Wild Salmon, I LOVE it!! Yet, somehow, all the treats I get look and taste exactly like my dinner kibble. Hmmm. I smell something fishy here!