King Pete Sampras Gelderman, His Majesty XXX
King Pete Sampras Gelderman, a five-year-old Silver Lab, will reign over the 30th year’s festivities for the Mystic Krewe of Barkus. He is the son of Caroll Gelderman, and the grandson of Tony and Katherine Gelderman, who was once the human Queen of Carnival for the Rex Organization. He is the brother of former Barkus Queen Honey Gelderman and former King Banjo Gelderman. He served his subjects as last year’s Barkus Grand Marshal, so he is seasoned in the ways of Mardi Gras royalty.
Yet, King Pete’s noble family relations and sophisticated demeanor masks the shady start to his life. The talk in social circles is that he was living on a chicken farm where he was a complete hellion who spent most of his time (and he had plenty of that) terrorizing the prized poultry living there. He was thusly evicted from the property and was tossed out on his four paws.
He landed at Take Paws Rescue where he was adopted by his mother, who was unfazed by the whole chicken farm debacle and immediately put him to work at her bookstore, The Garden District Bookstore in Uptown New Orleans. He instantly found his niche as a city-canine where he learned to read people and books. He was naturally comfortable hobnobbing with both academic textbook types and customers in need of trendy best sellers in the self-help department. He quickly earned the title of “Head of Hospitality and Greeting” due to his charisma and welcoming ways to all.
King Pete says that some people believe that his story has parallels to Dolly Parton, which he finds both sweet and perplexing especially considering their species differences. He ponders whether it is the country-born thing and the “working 9 to 5” song that mirrors his employment status, but he doubts Dolly loves tennis balls, chicken meatballs and his sister, Billie Jean as much as he does.
While reigning as Monarch is a dream come true, King Pete envisions a time when it is acceptable for tennis ball-loving canines to attend live matches such as Wimbledon, The French Open or even the U.S. Open.
He also looks forward to writing his memoirs so that he can spread hope to homeless and misfit dogs. He says that it will be a cathartic journey from his days as a failed farmhand to his unlikely ascent to become His Majesty XXX, reigning over the largest canine carnival on earth for the Mystic Krewe of Barkus.