Businesses are going to the dogs

Lisa Billings Chesterfield Observer Accents Unlimited owner Kathy Rivera with her two dogs, Corky and Sassy Belle.

When shopping at the upscale gift shop Accents Unlimited at Commonwealth Centre, be prepared for an enthusiastic greeting by Sassy Belle and Corky. These Yorkshire terriers stand watch at the store Kathy Rivera has owned for 24 years.

"A lot of people come in just to see the dogs," Rivera said. "They just love the dogs."

Sassy, 10 months old, and Corky, 6 years old, stay with Rivera wherever she is, but they are normally in the back office with her behind a gate.

"We have a sign on the door that tells people we will put them behind the gate if they are afraid of dogs," Rivera said. "We've had to gate them a few times, but more often, our customers call to them to come out."

Accents Unlimited is one of several businesses in the county that has gone to the dogs.

Scott Jenkins of Jenkins Construction has been bringing his 2-year-old Shih Tzu, Scooter, to work with him every day for the past 14 months.

Photo courtesy of Bill Lis Buddy spends his workdays at Runner Bill's.

"He is the light of my day, and he makes everyone who sees him smile," Jenkins said. "I cook T-bone steaks, so he can have the bone. If you come in my office, you have to watch where you step." In fact, Scooter seems to like going to work more than Jenkins does.

"Each day, he gets up when I do and just looks at me as he waits for me to say, 'Come on. Let's go to work.'"

Bill Lis, owner of Buddy, an Australian Shepherd mix, has found another reason to enjoy bringing his dog to his work each day: security.

"I own RunnerBill's Sports, and I'm in the store sometimes by myself," Lis said. "There have been at least two times where I thought it was a good thing I had him. He's a good companion, and he's good for protection, too."

Mostly though, Buddy lives up to his name. He has plenty of friends.

"He recognizes the sounds of the FedEx and the UPS trucks because those delivery guys bring him treats, even if they don't have a delivery for me," Lis said. "Customers stop by just to see him, too. He's good for business. They usually end up buying something while they are here."

Photo courtesy of Lisa Billings Corky and Sassy Belle greet customers at Accents Unlimited.

Buddy was a rescued dog Lis found at the Richmond Animal League.

"He was skin and bones when I got him," Lis said. "His ribs stuck out, and he was pitiful looking. He had a tough life, so he deserves the life he has now. I don't want to leave him home alone. I got him so he could hang out with me."

In fact, the hardest part of having an animal in the office seems to be knowing when it's time to get down to business.

"People have come into my office, and I have been caught down on the floor," Jenkins said. "I just have to laugh and tell them I was playing with my dog."