Celebrating National Rescue Dog Day with Dave Portnoy

On May 20th, Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, shared his thoughts on National Rescue Dog Day, emphasizing the significance of bringing rescue dogs into our lives and how it has influenced his own.

During a recent episode of “My Views with Lala Trump,” Portnoy discussed his two rescue dogs, Miss Peaches and Pete, with host Lala Trump. He expressed the special bond he shares with both dogs.

Portnoy reminisced about adopting Miss Peaches from Lifeline Animal Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He mentioned falling in love with her just by seeing her photos online. “I posted about her, and people just went crazy,” he said.

Miss Peaches, a pit bull, is often stigmatized as dangerous or aggressive. However, Portnoy passionately defends her character, calling her the “sweetest, loveliest, and easiest dog” ever. “If you’ve had a tough upbringing, you might behave a certain way, but that doesn’t define you,” he remarked.

His dog has not only gained over 1.5 million Instagram followers but also has her own vodka lemonade brand called Lucky One Lemonade, mirroring the popularity of Portnoy’s Barstool Sports.

“We sold a lot of products, and right from the start, I said I don’t want to make money off this. Every penny goes back,” he noted, mentioning that much of the proceeds have been donated to the Lifeline Animal Shelter where he found her.

Even with Miss Peaches’ rising fame, Portnoy remains mindful of the plight of shelter dogs. He highlighted that in 2024, about 5.8 million dogs and cats are expected to enter shelters, according to the ASPCA. “It’s easy to overlook that,” he said, reflecting on how encountering an adopted dog can shift one’s perspective.

He recalled a particularly emotional moment: “I have a picture of Miss Peaches at the shelter looking so sad. It really hits home. Every dog deserves a loving home.”

Portnoy also rescued another dog, a beagle named Pete. “When I saw him on video, I knew he was the one. They’ve been inseparable since day one,” he shared, highlighting the close relationship between the two dogs.

Portnoy described having pets as comparable to raising children, though he insists it’s a rewarding, full-time commitment. “It really changes your life for the better. There’s this saying, ‘Who rescued who?’ I can’t imagine my life without them,” he added.