By Greg Ellison

Staff Writer

(Dec. 5, 2019) Ocean Pines has a new canine ambassador, Teddy, 2, an exuberantly friendly bernese mountain dog who was crowned “Pup of the Pines” during the Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in White Horse Park last weekend.

Teddy, and owner Laura Breslau, were on hand to accept the accolade on Saturday.

“It was funny because when they announced his name he almost acted like he knew he had won,” she said.

To the crowd’s amusement, after his name was revealed, Teddy promptly pulled Breslau to stage center for a moment in the spotlight.

“They all started cheering and then he raced up to the podium like he knew he was supposed to go up there,” she said.

In addition to receiving free registration to the Ocean Pines Dog Park for 2020, Teddy will also serve as the face of the amenity, as well as being featured in the OP activity guide and other association postings during the year.

Breslau said the ever-affable Teddy is well behaved, short of a penchant for digging holes.

“He likes walks, but not too long, and loves car rides,” she said.

In contrast to his breed’s moniker, besides residing in Ocean Pines Teddy also spends ample time on the sands in Ocean City.

“Bernese beach dog [is what] we call him,” she said. “He hates the water though and will not get his paws wet even in a puddle.”

Breslau attributes Teddy garnering the most votes among the nearly two dozen adorable pooches competing for the title to his magnetic personality, which has become nearly legendary among nearby residents.

“He’s got a lot of fans in his neighborhood and we think that helped his vote that they all knew he was in the contest,” she said. “When we walk him around the ‘Point,’ people come out of their house just to see him.”

Arguably already a celebrity canine in the Point neighborhood, Teddy will now expand his paw print to the larger Ocean Pines area.

“He’s expanded his fame,” she said. “He doesn’t know strangers [or] how to be mean, he just loves everyone.”

Breslau said from what could be deciphered during his award acceptance barks, Teddy expressed gratitude for the honor and plans to approach the post with dogged diligence.

“He says, ‘Thank you to everyone that voted,’ and he plans to do his job and greet everyone through the pines,” she said.