No Yard, No Problem: Our Dogs' Guide to City Living

No Yard, No Problem: Our Dogs’ Guide to City Living

How two suburban pups—and their humans—found unexpected joy, stronger legs, and a whole new community on the sidewalks of Hoboken.

When we moved from our quiet home in Skillman, NJ—a peaceful town just north of Princeton—to Hoboken, everything changed.

Back in Skillman, we lived on a big, open acre with an invisible fence. Our two dogs, Sophie and Ella, roamed freely. We’d open the door and out they went, “knocking” to come back inside when they were ready. We never really walked them; they simply had the run of the yard.

Sophie, our beloved Old English Sheepdog/Standard Poodle mix, was 11 years old at the time and starting to show her age. Navigating the stairs in our two-story home became a challenge—so much so that we’d carry all 85 pounds of her up to bed each night.

Then we moved to Hoboken. Empty nesters now, Doug and I moved into a high-rise apartment building—12 stories, no stairs necessary. Sophie suddenly had an elevator. And instead of free-roaming the yard, she and Ella (our Saint Bernard/Standard Poodle mix) began going on scheduled walks—three or four times a day, each about 1/4 to 1 mile long.

And something amazing happened.

Sophie’s back legs started to strengthen. She began jumping onto furniture again. Outside, she chased geese—yes, ran after them. We were stunned. Our aging pup had come back to life. The walks, the movement, the consistent routine—city life was giving her a second wind.

But it wasn’t just Sophie who changed. We did, too.

When you move to a new city and don’t know anyone, it’s easy to feel isolated. But if you’re a dog owner? That isolation doesn’t last long. Walking our girls became a way to meet people—good people. People I wouldn’t have otherwise spoken to.

Suddenly, I knew people by their dogs: “Calvin’s mom, Lori.” “Maxwell’s dad, Tazi.” Sophie and Ella introduced us to a whole new community.

We met Jack, who had just lost his wife, because of Hobey. I got to know Paige and watched her journey through pregnancy with her sweet dog Miles. I connected with Michael at yoga—because we’d first crossed paths walking our dogs, Meyer and Sophie.

These weren’t just acquaintances. These were real relationships, formed step by step, leash in hand.

In February, after nearly 14 beautiful years, we said goodbye to Sophie. There’s no doubt in my heart that Hoboken, with its elevators and daily walks, gave her more time and more joy than we could have imagined. For that, I will be forever grateful.

Shortly after, Doug and I were walking Ella when we ran into Tazi.

“Where’s Sophie?” he asked.

I put my hand on my heart, unable to speak. I just shook my head.

Tazi ran over and wrapped me in a hug. We cried together—because that’s what dog people do. Even when we only know each other from sidewalk hellos and passing smiles, we feel that loss deeply. Because our dogs connect us.

Today, Ella still gets her three or four walks a day. She’s helping us stay active (hello, daily step count!) and helping us meet even more wonderful people.

For reference, if you walk just ¾ to 1 mile a day, that’s roughly 1,800 to 2,500 steps per walk. Multiply that by 3–4 walks a day, 365 days a year… and you’re talking close to 1,000 miles and over two million steps a year.

That’s not just good for Ella. It’s good for me. And Doug. And every neighbor-turned-friend we’ve made along the way.

City living gave our dogs what they needed most—and, because of them, it gave us more than we ever expected. Without Sophie and Ella, our life in Hoboken would have looked completely different. We might not have loved it the way we do. But thanks to them, we became part of a community—a quiet, loyal, heartwarming circle of dog owners who make this city feel like home.

The author, Beth Fitzgerald is the cousin of our own Bob Jones. She and her family host Bob and his daughter during their annual NYC holiday trip. And yes, they join Beth and her family for the daily walks.