Times are tough. Rents are skyrocketing, We Energies is finding yet another way to screw us over, and minimum wage hasn’t budged in 15 years. But if there’s one thing keeping the local economy booming, it’s the dogs who show up day in and day out and put in four elbows (knees?) worth of grease. After all, that bag of Fromm ain’t gonna pay for itself. Here’s a roundup of some of the local business mascots who keep us coming back to the shop.

Gertie
Employer: Acme Records


Years employed: 7
Sign: unknown, a celestial enigma
Likes: hunting, food, bird sounds
Dislikes: bikes, bike helmets, skateboards

Rosie
Employer: Bayside Pack N’ Ship


Years employed: 3
Sign: Leo
Likes: people, cuddles, her extensive wardrobe
Dislikes: when she’s in trouble

Poker
Employer: Ben’s Cycle


Years employed: 2
Sign: Aries
Likes: being in the woods, running, apples
Dislikes: loud noises, ear touches

Cooper
Employer: Ben’s Cycle


Years employed: 12
Sign: Cancer
Likes: hunting and swimming
Dislikes: when her dad Vincent leaves

Maisie
Employer: Ben’s Cycle


Years employed: 9
Sign: unknown
Likes: treats and good ol’ normal dog stuff
Dislikes: bright lights

Barnaby
Employer: CIVAL Collective


Years employed: 8
Sign: Pisces
Likes: broccoli, all people, knit sweaters
Dislikes: plastic bags, celery

Franny “Sweet Noodle” (left)
Employer: CIVAL Collective


Years employed: 7
Sign: Sagittarius
Likes: boys petting her, butterflies
Dislikes: loud sounds

Greta “Lil Gremlin” (right)
Employer: CIVAL Collective


Years employed: 6
Sign: Scorpio
Likes: no one except her boyfriend Joggy
Dislikes: everything

Ziva “HR”
Employer: Closet Classics


Years employed: 4.5
Sign: Cancer
Likes: the spinning ashtray, football, the vacuum, herding store employees, dressing up as a clown
Dislikes: other dogs stealing her toys

Zara “Barketing”
Employer: Closet Classics


Years employed: 4.5
Sign: Pisces
Likes: yelling at people to pet her
Dislikes: inanimate objects that make noise

Lizette
Employer: Groom For Men


Years employed: 11
Sign: Sagittarius
Likes: food (especially from the ground), giving therapy advice, thinking she’s a human baby
Dislikes: sudden movements, anything typical dogs like

Lady Mae
Employer: Highbury Pub


Years employed: 13
Sign: non-believer
Likes: long walks on the beach and Darwin the snack guy
Dislikes: being left home and not being included

Sunny
Employer: Hounds Around Town


Years employed: 4.5
Sign: Aries
Likes: swimming, stuffed animals, being a couch potato, naps
Dislikes: fetching anything on land, being groomed

Sadie (left)
Employer: Kellner Greenhouses


Years employed: 12.5
Sign: Libra
Likes: walking, licorice, baths, being towel dried
Dislikes: when Lola gets attention

Lola (right)
Employer: Kellner Greenhouses


Years employed: 3
Sign: Capricorn
Likes: greeting people, squirrels, kids
Dislikes: when Sadie gets attention

Cheese
Employer: Mac’s PET DEPOT Barkery


Years employed: 4
Sign: Gemini
Likes: running, toys, all people all the time
Dislikes: chaos (unless he’s causing it), when mom decides to work

Zeeba
Employer: Oak Creek Dental Care


Years employed: 6
Sign: Capricorn
Likes: treats, other dogs, the UPS driver
Dislikes: heights, celery

Wolfgang
Employer: Rushmor Records


Years employed: 8
Sign: Scorpio
Likes: head taps, barking, punk and classical music
Dislikes: dopey modern country music

Franklin
Employer: Skilos


Years employed: 4
Sign: Scorpio
Likes: sticks, balls, people, splashing in water, the outdoors
Dislikes: skateboards, any yard equipment, being alone

Kirby
Employer: State of the Art Import Auto Repair


Years employed: 6
Sign: Aries
Likes: belly rubs, snuggling with his cat brother Purrcy
Dislikes: mean people

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About The Author

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Julie loves wearing clogs and being at the airport. She hates ranch. If you've been to a show at a PTG venue she's probably made you a drink. And she remembers what you had.