RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — You’ve seen that furry face before: in a tuxedo, chilling in a pool, zooming in a rocket ship — seemingly any place a tiny, tiny dog will fit, and nap.
“It’s Bunky’s world, we’re just living in it,” according to the Joel Bieber Firm, whose TV and billboard ads have made the 13-year-old, 8-pound rescue dog a household name in Richmond and Hampton Roads.
So much so in RVA that Bunky’s been named Richmond’s Official Dog of 804 Day, the city’s big, free block party festival on Friday, August 2 at 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom. He’ll kick off the festivities at 4 p.m.
Bunky garnered thousands of votes in a contest from Style Weekly and 804 Day: Richmond’s Biggest Block Party to win the honor.
“He is blind in one eye, missing some teeth, and has a pretty significant heart murmur – but you truly wouldn’t know it with all his spirit!!” his entry for the contest reads.
When contacted for comment on Tuesday, Bunky was fast asleep. Though preparations for his big day are already underway.
“I’ll be holding him, because if he stands on the stage he will not be seen. He’s only eight pounds,” said his owner, Lindsay Kelley.
That’s right, Bunky isn’t attorney Joel Bieber’s actual dog, but the two are super close.
“Everyone likes to think he’s Bunky Bieber but he’s actually my dog … they have a very sweet relationship. Bunky will go and lay down in his office and listen to him talk on the phone. It’s very sweet. They’re best, best buddies,” Kelley added.
“In his spare time, Bunky enjoys sleeping, resting, laying down, and looking at his mom.”
Kelley in Bunky’s contest entry
Bunky, who’s believed to be half Chihuahua and half Maltese, comes to work at the firm’s Richmond office every day with Kelley. In fact, he’s been so dedicated he even earned the title of “lead investigator.”
In his free time, he loves to walk (and run) around the office, particularly at lunch time.
“He’ll sniff out who has chicken, who’s got leftover steak, and he will gently boop you with his nose to get a taste,” Kelley said.
Kelley adopted Bunky back in December 2018 from Richmond’s For the Love of Poodles, aka FLOP, the last of seven dogs saved from a hoarding situation. He was thought to be between 7 and 9 years old at the time, and had severe cataracts, but Kelley was drawn to the sweet, shy pooch.
Kelley says she hopes she can encourage others to consider getting a senior dog.
“As fun as puppies are and all of that, senior dogs still bring a lot of happiness and joy. And he’s been a great dog, very well trained, very chill, doesn’t need much.”
Kelley said Bunky has led fundraisers that raised $5,000 for FLOP and for another Richmond rescue named Ruff House. He’s also working on a calendar fundraiser to help support Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC). You can read Bunky’s full contest profile here.
If you’d like to meet Bunky at 804 Fest, he’ll be greeting new friends and passing out some Bunky stickers starting at 4 p.m. Friday, and will stay “as long as he can take it,” Kelley joked.
Those who can’t make it out can email Bunky@JoelBieber.com. He loves to send out letters, stickers and treats to his adoring fans.
