Jim Buck

Jim Buck (28 November 1931 – 4 July 2013) was a New York City dog walker.^[1]

He was born James Augustine Farrell Buck in 1931 into a prominent Manhattan family.^[1] In 1960 Buck left his job as a salesman to become a professional dog walker, apparently New York and the United States' first.^[1][2] By 1964 Jim Buck’s School for Dogs was making as much as $500 per week and he had hired an assistant.^[2] Buck became a well-recognized figure in the Upper East Side: tall, slim, and elegantly dressed, he would walk six or more dogs at a time.^[1] Buck operated his business for approximately forty years and, at its peak, employed at least 24 assistants.^[1]

Buck died in Manhattan on 4 July 2013 from complications of emphysema and cancer.^[1]

References

1. Fox, Margalit (12 July 2013). "Jim Buck, Who Made Walking Dogs a Job, Dies at 81". New York Times. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
2. "New Leash on Life Gives Buck Bucks". Evening Independent. Associated Press. 6 March 1964. Retrieved 13 July 2013.