Meet Beef the bulldog, who takes slow walks with his 78-year-old friend

Sir Charles Beeferoni’s journeys begin with a glacial trek down his driveway and a right turn onto a sidewalk.

The English bulldog passes an alley before reaching an electrical pole that he sniffs, then relieves himself on. Sir Charles Beeferoni, whom his owners call Beef, then crosses a street to arrive at a striped pole next to a speed bump.

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There, Beef turns around to face a challenge: the return walk.

By the time Beef gets back to his owners’ Tucson home about 30 minutes after starting his walk, he has covered less than a quarter mile. Exhausted, he and his devoted walker, Manny Miranda, 78, nap for a few hours, their snores echoing through the house.

Manny is the only person Beef will walk with. For this show of mutual love and companionship, the pair have amassed fans on Instagram who cheer them on and virtually follow their walks. The caption on one of their videos: “Join Beef on his 30 minute 0.2 mile walk.”

“Best time - a new record!” someone commented.

“He handled that corner like a pro,” another person wrote about the one corner Beef passed.

Like many English bulldogs, Beef, 4, walks slowly - really slowly. But it’s an accomplishment that he does it at all.

He and Manny began their fitness journey this year and now walk together every morning - and although it’s far from vigorous, they’ve helped each other become more active and improve their health.

Manny told The Washington Post that Beef is a form of therapy for him.

“He’s taught me that animals are the best friends of man,” Manny said in Spanish.

Manny’s daughter America Miranda received Beef as a gift from a friend in 2021, but the bulldog developed pneumonia later that year. He has always used the backyard to relieve himself; he didn’t go on many walks after his health setback.

Once he recovered, he developed a close bond with Manny, who lives with his daughter.

When Manny cleans the pool in the backyard, Beef stands by his side. If Manny’s wife, Esmeralda, tickles him, Beef jumps on Esmeralda. They fall asleep on the couch together watching reality shows “Love Island” and “Love Is Blind” with Spanish subtitles.

“It’s like they’re made for one another,” said America, 42.

Walking became one of their hobbies in January as America’s sister, Vanessa, was facing lung cancer, America said. It was a wake-up call for the family, so they decided to become more active to improve their health - and that included Beef.

But when America tried to walk Beef, she carried him out of the house and he refused to walk past the mailbox.

One day this past summer, Manny casually told America that he’d taken Beef for a walk that morning. The family realized Beef, who weighs 65 pounds, would only walk with Manny, America said.

Every night, Manny places Beef’s harness on the back porch for easy access the next morning. If Manny doesn’t wake up around 6:30 a.m., Beef, who has a white coat with brown spots, scratches Manny’s bedroom door and jumps on his bed until he wakes up.

The only mornings they don’t walk are Thursdays because Beef is scared of the garbage truck.

Neighbors often ask Manny and Beef on their walks if they need a ride. Manny, a retired welder, tells them they’re fine; they’re just walking at Beef’s pace. But if Beef stops during their walks, Manny gently taps the dog’s behind to keep him moving.

Manny said he would walk faster if he weren’t with Beef, who he said looks at him “in a very tender way” during walks, but he doesn’t mind slowing down.

“I have patience for him,” Manny said, “because he is my friend.”

When America posted a video of Beef’s walk on Instagram last month, the bulldog charmed thousands of viewers who voiced their support for the duo, often with humor.

“Pure athletic prowess on display,” one person commented.

“He’s a fitness influencer,” another wrote.

Beef’s pace isn’t uncommon for English bulldogs, said Karen Turner, a veterinarian in Bannockburn, Illinois.

Turner said that’s largely because of the breed’s short muzzles and airways that can cause breathing issues. English bulldogs also are vulnerable to orthopedic diseases that can lead to hip, spine and elbow pain, Turner said.

Still, Turner said, English bulldogs should walk for about 15 minutes a few times per day.

“It’s actually very beneficial for them - even if it takes them a long time to go that short distance - just to get them out and get them moving,” Turner said.

The exercise is paying off for Beef: His breathing has come easier since he started walking, America said, and he sleeps even more soundly. The benefits have gone both ways - Manny said his energy, patience and mood have improved from walking Beef.

After each walk, Beef drinks water and goes to his crate in the living room. He scratches it until someone places his gray dog bed inside and plays music by Bad Bunny, which America said helps him sleep.

As Beef snores, Manny walks to his own bed. They see each other again that evening for dinner - often ground beef for them both.

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Emily Codik contributed to this report.