Motherf**ker Star Yul Vazquez Praises His 'Sweetie,' a Guide Dog Trainee

After a two-show day, Broadway’s pet-owning performers love nothing more than coming home to their number one fan: a loyal four-legged friend. In honor of the annual Broadway Barks dog and cat adoption event, coming up on July 9 in Shubert Alley, we asked stage stars to show their puppy—and kitty!—love by telling us all about their furry pals.

YUL VAZQUEZ (Cousin Julio in The Motherf**ker With the Hat)

What is your pet’s name and breed?
Sweetie, yellow lab/golden retriever mix.

How did your pet get its name?
She was the sixth puppy in a litter of guide dog puppies that we were whelping. As they arrived, we gave them each a temporary name. (Their permanent names are given by donors to the Guide Dog Foundation). By the sixth puppy, we’d run out of ideas, so we said, “Let's just call her Sweetie for now.” The name turned out to be perfect for her, and they kept it.

What is your pet’s favorite pastime?
Playing in the backyard of our apartment building by herself with lots of toys.

Does your pet know any tricks?
Not really, but she has good manners.

What’s the funniest thing your pet has done?
She makes us laugh when she goes to our new guide dog puppy (a black male lab named Bau) while he’s sleeping, balances one paw on his side, and then pokes him and does a soft “Woof!” to wake him up.

What’s the naughtiest thing your pet has done?
She’s not allowed on the furniture, but sometimes when we’re not home, she makes herself very comfortable on our bed. We can tell she’s been up there by the dog-shaped impression she leaves on the comforter.

Do you look like your pet?
She looks like her mama.

Keep checking back for more pet profiles from your favorite stars.