Special Spotlight: Faculty Pets

Mercy Carbonell and her dog, Scouety. Courtesy of Mercy Carbonell.

By Anna Tran

Mercy Carbonell

During this quarantine, English instructor Mercy Carbonell and her golden retriever, Scouty, have certainly been staying active! From running along local New Hampshire beaches to playing behind the stadium, they enjoy keeping up the pace. 

One night, Scouty and Carbonell went out to the field at midnight to stargaze and admire the moon. Trying to teach Scouty about constellations, Carbonell recalled that he “looked up and then tilted his head as if to say, ‘What is the one in the shape of a tennis ball called?’” 

Especially now, Scouty and Carbonell rely on one another. “He knows beyond knowing what we all may need,” Carbonell said. 

Carbonell told The Exonian that Scouty worries for zoo animals and pets that are now homeless, possibly due to their owners not returning from the hospital. Both of them aren’t used to being cooped up all day long, but they are persevering. 

And look at that picture! Carbonell herself put it best—“He is absurdly photogenic.”

Meg Foley

History Instructor Meg Foley and her family have been having fun with their golden retriever, Badger. As they go on their walks, Badger has been chasing all the squirrels along the Academy trails. 

It appears Badger also has a good eye when it comes to food.  Foley made homemade croissants for Easter, and his reaction to the baked goods indicated her success in the kitchen. 

Often, while Foley teaches classes on the ground level of the Academy Building, her daughter Ingrid will walk Badger. Ingrid and Badger occasionally stop by, tap on the classroom window and say hello. How cute is that? Though they haven’t yet mastered the timing to make it into a Zoom meeting, Foley remains optimistic, saying, “Maybe this week.”

Andrew McTammany ’04 and Tyler Caldwell

Chemistry Instructor Andrew McTammany ’04 and English Instructor Tyler Caldwell have two dogs named Kip and Roger—both border collies. Kip, the older of the two, is finding his role as a “big brother” of sorts, with the new puppy Roger in the house. Aren’t they adorable together? In between their naps and adventures in the woods, they enjoy tumbling around with each other in the backyard. We at The Exonian don’t doubt these pups are keeping everyone entertained and optimistic during quarantine! 

Colleen Brockmyre and Ross Brodsky’s dog, Louie. Courtesy of @livinglaidlouie.

Colleen Brockmyre and Ross Brodsky

Science Instructors Colleen Brockmyre and Ross Brodsky just got a dog named Louie, and they have been having so much fun together! Getting lots of fresh air, Louie enjoys running around, chewing all the sticks and twigs on the ground and traveling through the many trails that Exeter has to explore. Louie loves the woods; we can’t wait to see what else Louie will grow to enjoy! If you would like to keep up with his adventures (and adorable photos), you can find them on his Instagram, @livinglavidlouie.

The Force is strong with Captain Jack, Rachel Labes’ dog. Courtesy of Rachel Labes.

Rachel Labes

Mathematics Instructor Rachel Labes and her dog, Captain Jack, are spending their time well during this quarantine. From taking Labes on long walks to helping out during her Zoom meetings, they sure are having fun—though they can’t help but miss everyone. “Captain Jack misses the Soule Hall boys and all of his friends on campus so much!” Labes said.

Although social distancing is a struggle for both Labes and Captain Jack (especially from his other dog friends), Labes told The Exonian that “the Force is strong with this puppy and he knows we will all be together again and is eagerly awaiting that day.” Our hearts just melted—and look at him in his Jedi uniform!

Ellee Dean ’01 with her dog, Bruno. Courtesy of Ellee Dean.

Ellee Dean

English Instructor and Exonian Adviser Ellee Dean ’01 and her family have one dog, Bruno, whom they adopted around two summers ago. Meeting Dean at the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Bruno was on the older side and needed a good home and rehabilitation. 

Often, Dean and Bruno don’t see eye to eye. Dean talked about how if Bruno could, he would only watch movies about dogs or wolves. Occasionally, he tries to bite her husband, the Academy’s Regional Director of Major Gifts, Porter Hayes, which isn’t really Dean’s “thing.” 

During this quarantine, Dean and Bruno have found peace with each others’ company through their long walks in the woods, and sometimes, they pause and give “some moody stares at one another.” 

“Sometimes a dog needs to be allowed to be a dog, and sometimes finding grace in the way things are as opposed to the way you want them to be is everything,” Dean said. That was beautifully put, and we completely agree!

Mary Claire Nemeth

Art Instructor Mary Claire Nemeth and her dog, Dorian, have been keeping busy. Dorian enjoys going for runs in Exeter’s trails with Nemeth and is “currently spending a lot of time with his parents, which he does not mind at all.” A studious dog, he is apparently finishing his first novel, which “he hopes will be adapted for a Netflix series next year.” Well, count us in!

Brooks and Genny Moriarty

Dean of Students Brooks Moriarty and English Instructor Genny Moriarty’s family have an endearing dog named Cici. Now that everyone is in quarantine, Cici has been ecstatic to have her whole family home. Although this can be a very difficult time, the Moriartys are putting it to good use by spending lots of time with Cici and each other. 

Exeter had a warm and sunny day recently, and Cici joined the rest of the family on a walk along the Swasey River. A nice day spent outside has been refreshing for all, and as G. Moriarty said, “I think it made all of us feel human again—or puppy-ish, as the case may be!”

Receiving lots of affection, Cici loves all the cuddles from her family, but “has become a bit bratty about begging for treats.” The Moriartys are trying to stop this attitude, but they adore her no matter what! I mean, how could you say no to that precious face?

Rex, at work on the computer. Courtesy of Barbara Desmond.

Barbara Desmond and Nick Unger

English Instructor Barbara Desmond and her dog, Rex, have been taking some time for themselves; Rex has come to expect a regular morning walk. Unfortunately, once a week, this coincides with Desmond and Classical Languages Instructor Nicholas Unger’s senior elective. Aww! “When he is not interrupting that class by walking around our dining room, opening cabinets and bumping low-lying targets with his snout, he enjoys Zooming with his buddies,” Desmond said. And look at that picture. Adorable. 

Evelyn Christoph

Modern Languages Chair Evelyn Christoph has been spending quality time with her two cats, Artemis and Hermes, and her dog, Astrid. It seems that Astrid and Artemis are great friends and often have fun playing with each other! However, “Hermes is too dignified to play such games, although he occasionally deigns to chase and/or be chased by Artemis,” Christoph said. Of course, they have their moments of collective peace. In these moments, they all decide to nap on Christoph’s lap. Can we get a collective ‘aww’ for that?

Kelly Flynn’s dog, Pete, is a bona fide superhero. Courtesy of Kelly Flynn.

Kelly Flynn

English Instructor Kelly Flynn and her dog Pete have also been keeping each other company. Spending time in the front yard, Pete watches intensely for any rabbits that have been munching on Flynn’s tulips, waiting for the right moment to chase after them. Having learned over time that he isn’t capable of catching any of the squirrels, his mind is now set on catching a rabbit. Talk about a good mindset! 

“Pete is more Clydesdale than quarter horse; he won't win any footraces, but he likes to try, and meanwhile, he has some serious four-wheel-drive pulling action” Flynn said.

This duo enjoys going into the woods, and Pete loves to splash around in the water while running up the bank. Being a strong swimmer, he enjoys going through the culvert under the little causeway into the Academy woods—but if the water is moving fast, “he'll come spinning out the other side of the culvert like a kayak.” Pete likes letting children sit on his back as he pulls them through the water, sometimes allowing Flynn on as well. All with a smile on his face! 

During the quarantine, Pete and Flynn have also been hosting dance party workouts! While Flynn dances, Pete comes in, prances around, wags his tail and then settles down and smiles while watching her. “Dogs can tell when we are happy or sad, and they pick up our energy, I’m sure of it,” Flynn reflected. 

In the past few weeks, Pete has been unexpectedly cuddly with her. “We had a good bond before, but now we are really heart-to-heart,” she said. “Did I mention that he's awesome and I love him?” Well, we all love him too!