 Since 1991 I have been very blessed to be able to bring a “best friend” to work with me every day. In the spring of that year I paid a visit to a lady who had four Golden Retriever puppies for sale. While evaluating these little golden bundles of joy, I noticed one little guy who would follow me everywhere. When I’d stop walking, he would stop and stand by my side looking up at me with a look that said, “Pick me.” Well I did! And two weeks later when he turned eight weeks old, the little guy with a touch of white on his front paw came home with me.
Bear grew up coming to work with me and became quite adept at making friends with literally thousands of customers throughout the thirteen years he graced our lives. He was truly a “love sponge” and especially enjoyed playing with children. In April of 2004 Bear went to doggy heaven. After a month of watching me mope around the house, my wife took it upon herself to check out some Animal Rescue websites. She noticed a couple of chow/golden retriever puppies on the Humane Society’s’ site and coaxed me to go with her to look at them. They were cute but unfortunately I wasn’t “feeling it”. The very nice lady who was watching us interact with them, heard the story about Bear and how he would go to work with me everyday. At this point, she smiled and said “I’ve got someone special I think you should meet. We have a golden puppy and he gets out of quarantine tomorrow and will be up for adoption.” Well, as I’m driving down the next day, I remember asking my wife, “if I don’t get this dog will you be mad at me?” She said, “I’ll only be mad if you don’t go and see him.”  I’ll never forget when they brought Sammy into the room. A four month old Golden Retriever with the biggest paws you’ve ever seen. It was love at first sight and, like Bear, Sammy has grown up at the store greeting and making friends with those that visit us at Dolnick’s. He has grown into his paws, a full 115 pounds, and is truly the most gentle and loving of dogs, our “Gentle Giant.”
A few days before Christmas in 2006, my wife visited Pets Mart and C.A.R.E. (Coalition for Animal Rescue and Education) was there with their dogs that were up for adoption. A little dog, Buddy, sat in his cage looking like he had done this so many times and was tired not being picked and always left behind. The two year old Chihuahua mix stole my wife’s heart, and later mine. He has joined his fur-brother Sammy and also earns his keep by coming to work and “guarding” the store everyday. Sammy and Buddy have a fur-sister at home. Our cat, Edda, was also adopted as a rescue from Benald seven years ago. She was part of the package deal when my wife and I married in 2003. Edda holds down the fort while the rest of us go to work.  As you can see, we join the ranks of many who find that their animals are a very important part of their lives. While Dolnick’s can make your home beautiful, only a loving dog or cat can make your home complete. The joy they can add to your life with their unconditional love is immeasurable. Please find it in your heart to give a needy dog or cat a loving home. We have listed just a few of the many no-kill shelters that exist in our area. Please check out the links below to see how many wonderful animals are looking to find that special place they can call home.
If you are unable to adopt a furry friend at this time, please consider making a donation to one of the wonderful no-kill shelters listed below. They operate strictly on donations of pet items and cash, not to mention the many man hours that are donated to assist our furry friends. Greg Dolnick | 
