Dog days of work

Published 8:00 am Saturday, January 3, 2004

Mollie knows high-fashion. She can often be found strolling through Langley’s Big Sister clothing store, walking briskly past clothes of colorful silk fabrics and rich textures, making sure to brush past each one.

She’s full-time greeter at Big Sister, and as a sign at the door often warns — people shouldn’t be startled of her vocalization. An 11-year-old half-chow, half-Australian Shepard, Mollie is Big Sister owner Michele LaRue’s pride and joy.

New Year’s Eve was Mollie’s birthday and LaRue made sure to dress the dog for the occassion by wrapping a colorful silk scarf around the dog’s neck. It’s a high-fashion step up for Mollie who used to be named Smokey and lived on the streets of Seattle with a homeless man.

“I met Mollie through a friend and fell in love,” LaRue said.

Dogs at work isn’t too far-fetch in the canine-condusive South Whidbey. Community doggie-water dishes are on every corner and leash hook-ups with dogs attached are typical outside stores.

At Knox Photo in Langley, Steve and Mimi West’s 2-year-old chocolate lab Nam is a familiar presence to anyone who’s ever dropped film at Knox Photo. At the shop since she was a pup, Nam will wait at the gate spread between the counters for any spare attention customers offer.

“Every day she wants to come to work to see her customers,” Mimi West said. “People expect her to be here — they bring bones for her and one guy comes in once a week to be licked.”

Now, Nam’s little brother Yukon, an eight-week old black lab has an edge over Nam who is known to disappear toward the Star Store where she’ll peddle outside the door for attention.

Then there’s a dog in town who’s more season in the arts than most humans.

For the past five years Jackson, a 7-year-old broken coat Jack Russell, has been sitting up in the technical booth of WICA watching all of the venue’s productions.

Jackson also probably knows just as many of the ins and outs of WICA as it’s executive director Stacie Burgua, who also happens to be his owner.

Almost every day, Jackson can be found at WICA doing his job. He’s the offical greeter, bodyguard for when Burgua has to check the dark backstage area, and fly-catcher for those stray pests.

And for those spare dogs who stop by with their owners to buy tickets to the shows, Burgua’s office is doggie visitor equiped with a Jack Russell calendar, dog cookie jar, and even a small bag of dog food hidden under a table.

And certain workplaces have just gone to the dogs. Clinton’s Critter’s and Company pet store is already crawling with all sorts of birds, fish, reptiles, and furry creature possible. Some of the biggest characters can be the store’s three shop dogs — Dakota, a 3-year-old lab mix; Willie the 4-year-old Shitzu, and Dennis the 14-year-old Sheltie.

“You often find them right next to the front counter in our way,” said Critter and Co. worker Nicole Rugg.

Wednesday afternoon Willie was tethered to the front desk because of his history as an escapee, and Dakota was roaming the store making sure to take time to sniff the cockatoo next to the front desk.

But don’t think everything has gone to the dogs. The area also has it’s famous shop cats.

At Violette Fields in Langley, Bob the cat is known to rule the roost. JR the white persian is a familiar face at Freeland’s Flowers by the Bay.

After 12 years of watch over Lind’s Pharmacy in Langley, Sparky retired two years ago to the home of Hallmark manager Carol Anderberg. Always found curled up in the most unsuspecting places, Sparky was known for his regal walk.

“He was royalty and he knew it,” Anderberg said.

His presence still remains, as customers can now buy greeting cards with his furry face on them.

If shopping for fabric at Casey’s Crafts, don’t be surprised if the grey paw of Keystone the cat reaches out, as she is often found lounging on the yards of cloth.

While maybe thought of as a distraction, for some is a way to deal with their pet dependence.

“We can’t leave them home alone,” said Knox.