Pet of the Week
Meet Buddy the tenacious terrier, CultureMap's pet of the week

Name: Buddy, as in Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett on the Beverly Hillbillies), football's defensive genius Buddy Ryan, Vegas comedy legend Buddy Hackett, wrestling Hall of Famer Buddy Rogers, rock pioneer Buddy Holly, baker extraordinaire Buddy Valastro, and jazz great Buddy Rich.
Birthdate: The puppy showcase is back. Buddy was born May 9, 2018, so he's still a minor.
Ethnicity: Buddy is a white and beige mixed-up Terrier fella. Poor Buddy's been through a lot already. He was abandoned by his original owner, then a landlord issue brought him to the CAP shelter. He's got a lot of puppy energy, knows some commands so he's adoption-ready, loves to run and play and cuddle up with people.
He will do best in a home with older children or just grownups. He's a puppy, so expect some minor mishaps, but major fun and love.
Come and get me: Buddy is available for adoption at 11 am Friday, November 30 at Citizens for Animal Protection (17555 Katy Freeway; 281-497-0591). Tell them, "Ken sent me."
Buddy's bidness: Caught up with David Cronin, former boss at the Marriott West Loop hotel from 2010 to 2012 – when he happened to win Marriott’s “General Manager Mustang Award for Outstanding Business Leadership.” Marriott is a rather large company, with thousands of properties under its worldwide banner.
Cronin now runs the show at the hip W Hotel in upscale Scottsdale — where the city slogan is “The West’s Most Western Town,” but the New York Times hit the bull’s eye better calling Scottsdale “a desert version of Miami’s South Beach” with “plenty of late-night partying and a buzzing hotel scene.” My Arizona buddy Howard Singer
tells me that, yes, you’ll find “lots of good-looking people” at the W.
Cronin is a creative guy, who incorporates local culture and trends into his hotel, wherever he goes, and he’s gone a lot of places. Born in Cork, Ireland (home of the Blarney Stone), Cronin started his hospitality career near Bonn, Germany, with stops in Darmstadt, Frankfurt, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Houston, Miami, and Minneapolis before landing in Scottsdale.
Here's where Cronin brings Scottsdale's “plenty of late-night partying” into the W scene. Cronin has introduced “Drunken Donuts” to the hotel. He’s also added a successful bicycle-sharing program to the property, and while “Drunken Donuts” may knock you on your butt, at least it won’t be sore from bouncing on a bicycle seat.
Cheese and crackers platters and a bottle of wine typically greet guests in a hotel like the W, but Cronin figured donuts that pack an extra punch might be a lighter touch. Guests can request a peg-board displaying crazy flavor donuts, and syringes pre-loaded with shots of adult spirits (or juices, for non-tipplers).
“I’m a believer in bringing local businesses into the hotel, and we discovered a husband-and-wife store called Local Donuts. They’ve been in business for 30 years and their personality fits the W,” Cronin says.
Guests can choose from cinnamon rolls and donut flavors like Caramel Goodness, Crème Brulee, Fruity Pebbles, Maple Bacon, Oreo Cookie, S’more, even some vegan options … and spike them with cold brew coffee, vodka, Malibu Rum, Tequila and whatever’s your pleasure. Drunken Donuts also are served at meetings and group functions. Cronin calls his tipsy donuts “an over-the-top amenity.”
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Dog lover? Ken Hoffman introduces you to an adorable pup available for adoption in Houston every Thursday.