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Downtown Tower goes to the dogs

Many businesses are home to canines

Marcus White
Posted 8/15/18

TOWER – You probably expect a “hello” when you walk into most local businesses.

But in Tower, you just may be welcomed with a bark and a furry animal begging you for a treat. Many …

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Downtown Tower goes to the dogs

Many businesses are home to canines

Posted

TOWER – You probably expect a “hello” when you walk into most local businesses.

But in Tower, you just may be welcomed with a bark and a furry animal begging you for a treat. Many businesses along Tower’s Main Street are home to dogs or are dog-friendly.

It might be a pair of excited puggles helping you pick up your next home purchase at Nordic Home North or Ruckus, a lab/retriever mix welcoming you to the old train depot and museum.

You may even be greeted by Emily and Axel on the front lawn at Sulu’s before you make it to the door for your morning cup of coffee.

Several other businesses in town have dogs as well.

And of course, there is Loki, the paper-dog right here at the Timberjay. He’s occasionally joined by his new friend Luey.

Dogs at businesses have become a way of life in town.

“We all have dogs,” Napa Auto Parts Manager Trish Nelson said. “We’re used to seeing them around, it just seems friendlier.”

Customers at Napa Auto Parts are greeted by two Great Danes, Denali and Yukon.

“For the most part, people say, ‘Oh my God, there’s a horse in here,” Nelson said. “I tell them, no, it’s just a moose.”

Nelson began bringing the dogs to work when Denali was a puppy and couldn’t stay home by herself. The other dogs soon followed.

It was quickly found the dogs helped drive business to the store. Customers would walk by and see the two dogs poking their heads out of the baby gate at the front door. They’d come inside and take a look around.

Nelson said when the store is quiet, the dogs make for good company on the slow days.

Many businesses that don’t have dogs, still welcome them. At Embarrass Vermillion Credit Union, dogs can get a treat while their owners do their banking.

“We give them treats whether they are in the lobby or in the drive-thru,” Branch Manager Sunday Young said. “We welcome all family members (whether furry or not) to visit the credit union.”

Young added that the credit union did not have special accounts for dogs. She did say, however, that one dog used to escape his nearby home on occasion and make his way to the branch to get a treat from the staff.

The branch sees dogs come through the lobby about three to five times per week.

For shoppers who may not want to interact with the furry sales dogs, Nelson said to just ask, and most business owners will gladly bring their helpers behind the counter.

Luey and Loki assisted in the writing of this story with constant interruptions for treats. They did manage to sit and stay for their photos to be taken.