We decided to cast Parks and Rec characters as dog breeds.
As one of our projects for the month of April, since March 31 came and went, we decided to cast Parks and Rec characters as dog breeds, something the show itself partially did in one episode.
Why does March 31 have anything to do with anything? Because, as the episode “94 Meetings” (2.18) explains, April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza) scheduled all of her boss Ron Swanson’s (Nick Offerman) meetings for March 31, because she didn’t know it existed. It’s since become an unofficial holiday for the fandom. (The first time I – Wesley – watched this episode, it was March 31, which I also didn’t know existed.)
If you aren’t familiar with Parks and Recreation, here’s a quick summary: Created by Mike Schur and Greg Daniels (creators of The Office, Brooklyn 99 and The Good Place), it was an NBC mockumentary sitcom than ran from 2009 to 2015, taking place in-universe from 2008/09 to 2017, with flashforwards going all the way to 2048. It mainly took place in the City Hall of the fictional medium/small southern Indiana city of Pawnee, centering around the employees of the Parks and Recreation Department, though a few people from other departments were featured as well.
The main cast included Amy Poehler (Leslie Knope), Rashida Jones (Ann Perkins), Nick Offerman (Ron), Aziz Ansari (Tom Haverford), Aubrey Plaza (April), Chris Pratt (Andy Dwyer), Rob Lowe (Chris Traeger), Adam Scott (Ben Wyatt), Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich) and Retta (Donna Meagle).
Outside of the show itself, several tie-in materials were created in addition to the typical show merch of coffee mugs and T-shirts. These include Ann’s blog and several other websites and an extensively-researched history of the city of Pawnee written by Leslie.
Since dogs aren’t typically allowed inside government buildings, there aren’t a whole lot of dogs that appear throughout the series, though Andy and April adopt a three-legged Pit Bull rescue dog named Champion, who tags along on adventures whenever possible.
The show did cast some Parks and Rec characters as dog breeds as the C plot in the episode “Fluoride” (6.07). For the others, I talked it over with my friend and fellow Parks and Rec fanatic Elizabeth to arrive at these estimates.
Casting Parks and Rec characters as dog breeds will begin shortly, but first, a quick background of the episode in question is needed.
In the C plot of the episode “Fluoride,” (6.08), April and the rest of the Parks gang try to find out what their spirit dogs are, with their choices later emblazoned on a plaque labeled “Barks and Recreation.”
This episode takes place not long after April was promoted to Director of the Animal Control Department, which happened around the same time she decided not to attend vet school in Bloomington (“Bailout,” 5.16).
The main plot concerns Leslie’s efforts to get fluoride into the Pawnee water system, overcoming the constant annoyances of fellow councilmember Jeremy Jamm. Though she’s successful (thanks to Tom’s marketing savvy), she inadvertently gets her husband Ben fired from his job as director of the Sweetums Foundation.
The B plot follows an overzealous Chris as he tries to learn parenting tips from fellow new dad Ron, who agreed to show him how to build a crib.
The C plot, the part we’re talking about here, comes about because April has to create a new website for the Animal Control Department following the recent town merger with Eagleton. Along the way, everybody at City Hall tries to figure out the Parks and Rec spirit dogs.
April Ludgate-Dwyer (Aubrey Plaza)
Position at the time: Director, Pawnee Animal Control Department
April hates everyone and insults them at every opportunity, but secretly believes in helping other people when they need it (for example, driving Ron to the hospital in 2.02, “The Stakeout”). She thinks animals are much better than people, which is honestly pretty relatable, and generally comes across as aloof or apathetic, though she can be alarmingly enthusiastic about gory things or spontaneous decisions (she and Andy got married after dating for a month, 3.09, “Andyl and April’s Fancy Party”).
Tom’s future book, Failure: An American Success Story (7.13, “One Last Ride”), describes April as “individualistic, intense and intimidating.” She is all of those things, certainly, but she’s also a loyal team player willing to jump into any of Leslie’s harebrained schemes at the drop of a hat, and very determined when she sets her mind to a project.
Show’s choice: Siberian Husky
As Donna explains to her in very accurate detail, “You’re beautiful, yet cold and aloof, you pride yourself on being a loner. You do not obey, you choose to cooperate. And you bare your fangs when you pick a mate. Finally, you’re extremely loyal to your pack.”
Dog O’Day choice: Siberian Husky or Cat
That’s really hard to argue with. But April Ludgate is the literal human embodiment of Grumpy Cat (which is convenient, as Plaza was Grumpy Cat’s literal voice in her movie), and she has a large amount of cattitude. (Cats are also amazing and Rags is a great editorial assistant, even if we are a website primarily about dogs.)
Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt)
Position at the time: Somewhat unclear
When viewers first met Andy, he was an unemployed rocker who kicked everything off by breaking his leg falling into a pit (1.01, “Pilot”). When the series ended, he had just wrapped up hosting the locally-successful kids show The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show (7.11, “Johnny Karate…”). In between, he was homeless, the lead singer of the band Mouse Rat, Ben’s roommate, the shoeshine guy, and even worked in London for a while, becoming friends with a rich titled English dude.
Show’s choice: Golden Retriever
Tom’s book describes Andy as “Loving, exuberant and open-hearted,” which is spot-on. It’s also why the Golden Retriever is a solid choice, because Goldens are athletic, trainable and sometimes doofy. Air Bud is the obvious example of canine athleticism and trainability, while Andy frequently Rollerblades through City Hall and plays football in the parking lot.
Goldens can also be kinda derpy, like in this Golden Ratio photo. And that DEFINITELY applies – he goes around tackling random possums (2.18, “The Possum”) and mixes up Mount Rushmore with the Grand Canyon (4.06, “End of the World”).
Dog O’Day choice: Golden or Labrador Retriever
Despite, or perhaps because of, these less-than-intelligent decisions, it’s hard not to love Andy, mostly because he loves people so much (besides, he’s allergic to jerks). Both Goldens and Labs can be helpful as service dogs, making the world a brighter place by assisting others whenever possible. That fits Andy pretty well.
Dog O’Day’s casting of Parks and Rec characters as dog breeds continues with Ron and Tom.
Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman)
Position at the time: Director, Pawnee Parks and Rec Department
Tom’s book describe Ron as “self-reliant, uncompromising and inner-directed.” He hates all forms of government and loves alcohol in all liquid forms. About his only real weakness is how pliable he is around women named Tammy, as that is not only his mother’s name, but also the name of both of his ex-wives.
Show’s choice: Bulldog
Ron’s always frowning at something, and that’s all Bulldog. But despite the breed’s grouchy appearance, they’re generally cuddly teddy bears inside way down deep, which also applies. And they’re very persnickety about their hobbies – how else could you have a decades-long secret career as jazz musician Duke Silver?
Dog O’Day choice: Bulldog
This is very accurate. He hates people and prefers to do nothing all day if possible (Ovie the Bulldog and Saffy Bean approve), but is very into his hobbies and won’t hesitate to help out his workplace proximity associates when they need it, whether that’s by dispensing advice (“Fancy Party”) or launching into home-remodeling projects (4.05 “Meet N Greet”).
True, some of this advice may have questionable practicality (the Swanson Pyramid of Success has some odd tenets if you really study it), but he means well.
Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari)
Position at the time: Owner, Rent-a-Swag clothing rental store
Tom is…..a character. Originally Leslie’s assistant, he’s really a wildly-ambitious businessman who fails at almost everything he does, from a multimedia conglomerate to a clothing store to a restaurant chain.
But he has arguably the most character growth on the show, gradually growing from a vain pop-culture-obsessed self-promoter to…well, a lessened version of that who actually has and keeps a group of dear friends and a grounded wife in Lucy who keeps him from getting into too much trouble.
Or, as Leslie describes him in “Meet and Greet” (4.05), “Tom Haverford is a selfish, unctuous, sleazy, self-promoting, good-hearted, secretly-kind-and-wonderful tiny little person.”
Show’s choice: Yorkshire Terrier
While looking at April’s website in “Fluoride,” Donna spies a picture of a Yorkie named Pepper and comments that somehow it’s the essence of Tom, which is what launches their project of finding all the Parks and Rec spirit dogs in the first place.
Dog O’Day choice: Yorkie or Papillon
While Yorkies or Papillons or really any Toy Group breed in general can be male, you really forget that sometimes, especially for those with elaborate show cuts.. When Tom complains that he’s been left out of Ron’s annual guys hunting trip despite being a man, Leslie sighs. “Fine. But you are effeminate.” (2.10, “Hunting Trip,” he’s wearing a pink golf shirt at the time.)
Casting Parks and Rec characters as dog breeds moves on to the nearly unbreakable team of Leslie and Ann.
Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler)
Position at the time: Member, Pawnee City Council
Leslie is….very dedicated to making her city a better place to live and her friends’ lives happier. Everyone’s inspired by her example, though she can often overdo things (like her response to the antics of Greg Pikitis, mom talks to April). Tom describes her in his book as an “optimistic, tireless leader,” which sums things up nicely.
Show choice: Border Collie
Filled with big plans and boundless energy? Check. Constantly micromanaging the lives of those nearby in the name of knowing what’s best for them? Check. Not a bad choice.
Dog O’Day choice: Labrador Retriever
Without Leslie, the Parks and Rec Department basically wouldn’t exist with Ron not believing it’s useful, and Pawnee citizens would lose about the only good thing about living in the city. What better symbolizes Leslie Knope than the Labrador Retriever, which has been the most popular dog breed in America for nearly thirty years?
Besides, during the series run Amy Poehler recruited her old Chicago theater friend Nick Offerman, wrote a handful of episodes, directed some others, had two kids, endured a divorce and wrote a memoir, while still keeping Leslie hopeful and upbeat.
Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones)
Position at the time: Nurse, Pawnee City Hospital
Without Ann Perkins’ complaints in the pilot at the town meeting, we never would have met everyone. She never actually worked directly for the Parks and Rec Department, though she did work for a bit for the Health Department. Still, her nursing skills and general snark both come in handy as she listens as Leslie’s best friend and member of the core group.
Show choice: Left off plaque
Phooey, Parks and Rec spirit dog search.
Dog O’Day choice: Shelter dog
Ann is pretty normal (or as close to it as Pawnee residents can get). So this makes it a really tough choice, and we’re going to go with the generic shelter dog for her, because she just makes life better for those around her, even if she isn’t perfect (until she settled down with Chris, her dating history was pretty awful…) Also, Leslie often makes vaguely insulting compliments about Ann’s appearance, and it’s hard to tell sometimes what the breed history of shelter dogs are.
Casting Parks and Rec characters as dog breeds continues….it’s auditing bros time!
Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott)
Position at the time: Director, Sweetums Foundation/Accountant, Tilton and Radomski
Ben Wyatt settles in Pawnee even though “This town’s full of weirdos” because “they’re weirdos that care” (“Fancy Party”). Disastrously elected mayor as a teenager, he eventually becomes a Democratic congressman, and possibly the President of the United States.
He’s the cautious half of the auditing team, and most other endeavors, and as Tom never fails to remind him, he’s a nerd (though in his book he also says Ben is “level-headed, tactical and calm under pressure). He’s also the perfect person for Leslie to spend her life with, as he is responsible, down to earth and detail-oriented.
Show choice: Left out of plaque
Boo. Way to go, Parks and Rec spirit dogs search.
Dog O’Day choice: Corgi or Border Collie
Leslie’s always complimenting Ben on his looks, and is there a dog breed that’s much cuter than a Corgi? Either version, Cardigan or Pembroke, could work. Plus there are those adorable videos of Corgi puppies being transfixed by those flexible metal door stopper things, which is totally something Ben would do if he was a dog. The guy loves calzones, makes stop-motion Claymation videos and invents his own board game.
Ben is also incredibly intelligent, which could make him a solid Border Collie. But like a Border Collie, if things go haywire he can lose it really quickly. (Read Jon Katz’s books for more on the many eccentricities of the breed.)
Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe)
Position at the time: Pawnee City Manager
The uptight and extroverted half of the auditing team, Chris Traeger eventually becomes Pawnee’s City Manager before he and Ann leave for Ann Arbor as he takes a job at the University of Michigan, though in 2025 they return to Pawnee as he starts working at the University of Indiana (which had moved its main campus to Pawnee by that time).
Show choice: Left out of plaque.
Not cool, Parks and Rec spirit dogs search.
Dog O’Day choice: Foxhound, Border Collie or Whippet
AKC judge David Frei has described the Foxhound “like if a Beagle had a gym membership.” This certainly applies to Chris, who might be the fittest person on the planet, which is only fitting if you plan to live to be 150 years old. (This is why 3.02, “Flu Season,” is so hysterical and a great entry point for newcomers before they rewind back to the pilot.)
Border Collies are also extremely athletic, competing in everything from dog agility and flyball to dock diving and obedience. This is Chris all over.
He often goes running or cycling tremendous distances like it’s nothing, and while Whippets can’t go distance running very well, Andy couldn’t keep up when he tried training for the police exam (5.02, “Soda Tax”).
The Dog O’Day ranking of Parks and Rec characters as dog breeds wraps up with two rather hard to classify employees in Donna and Jerry.
Donna Meagle (Retta)
Position at the time: Parks and Rec Office Manager
Donna Meagle is a terrifying shopaholic most notable for her annual Treat Yo Self Days with Tom, and she’s VERY protective of her Mercedes SUV. Still, she is willing to let people ride in it when necessary, and she’s also known to have a real estate license (6.09, “The Cones of Dunshire”).
Once she went on vacation to Venezuela with April (2..05, “Sister City”), she loves Twilight (3..03, “Time Capsule”), repeatedly gave Ann relationship advice, and eventually winds up living in Seattle and counting placing ninth on Italy’s Got Talent and serving on a NASCAR pit crew among her accomplishments.
Show choice: Cat
April struggles with this pick in “Fluoride,” first trying a Poodle, because “you’re pretty and you like makeup and stuff.” Donna doesn’t mind this choice, but she hates the reasoning.
So April goes back to the drawing board: “You’re a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, because you’re outgoing, adventurous and you…. love Canada?” Again, nope.
Finally, she gets it: “You’re not a dog, you’re a cat! You’re temperamental, unpredictable, and hard to read.” She also says Donna makes people work hard to get close, but if they put in the effort, she’ll open up. This is true, proved by her relationship with Mike the elementary math teacher (Keegan Michael Key).
Dog O’Day choice: Mythical beast
Donna is confusing. So she should be a mythical beast of some kind from ancient mythology, the more obscure the better. They hide in the background (like she does), are dangerous (like she could be), and are certainly a force to be reckoned with (yep).
Jerry/Terry/Larry/Garry Gergich (Jim O’Heir)
Position at the time: Parks and Rec intern
Show choice: Old English Sheepdog
Poor Jerry. He means well and works hard, but has an undeniable talent for messing everything up. However, he enjoys his coworkers and is pleasant to be around, and he has a pleasant family and hobbies he’s …actually amazing at, like painting (3.11, “Jerry’s Painting”), and he eventually made a terrific mayor, serving for over thirty years until his death at age 100 in 2048 (7.13, “One Last Ride”).
But Old English Sheepdogs just look so comical, even if they are successful in the show ring. This was a good choice.
Dog O’Day choice: Miscellaneous, French Bulldog or Pug
Jerry is a miscellaneous rescue dog that is good-natured and loves life, but has terrible habits like snoring loudly and farting all the time. That, or he’s a Frenchie or a Pug, both of which are good companion dogs but are kind of forgettable.
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