Did your best friend make the list?
For our weekly top 10 list, we picked the Okanagan Valley’s 10 most famous dogs
ARTHUR
Since he was 10-weeks-old, Arthur has been going to work with his owner, Caroline Parker of Caroline’s Boutique.
Arthur, now 13, is a salt-and-peppercoloured miniature poodle (originally he was jet black) and how he came to be Caroline’s loyal companion is a story in itself.
Another boutique owner owned a female dog who had two pups in what would be the dog’s final litter. The woman didn’t want the siblings to be totally broken up and convinced Parker to take Arthur. Reluctant at first, it was the best decision she’s ever made.
Now in her store’s third location, he’s there most days at her location in the 200 block of Main Street in Penticton. (He stays home on market days.)
“Arthur has a huge following,” Parker said. “When he’s not at the store, customers have a look on their face and ask, ‘is everything OK?’ He’s amazing with babies, children and the elderly. He adds an entirely different dynamic to the store. Some of my customers come in just to get their Arthur-fix.”
CALYPSO
This four-year-old lab/golden retriever female cross has had a one-of-a-kind job in B.C. since July 1, 2016. She is an accredited facility dog who works alongside victims services and RCMP, and is employed by the City of Penticton. She provides support for people who are victimized by crime, often taking to the witness stand with children or vulnerable witnesses.
“I’ve seen clients break down in tears when they are done their testimony saying, ‘I couldn’t have done it without her,’” said assistant program manager Dede Dacyk.
She will also accompany vulnerable individuals when giving interviews to police. She’s also available for evacuation centres.
The Penticton RCMP Victim Services incorporated the ground-breaking concept of these dogs from the Delta Police Victim Services.
Calypso also volunteers one hour a week visiting the Moog & Friends Hospice House.
“She loves people, loves children and everyone at the courthouse really enjoys her. She brings a lighter atmosphere,” Dacyk said.
DARLA
Darla is a rescue dog, originally from California, who is the unofficial assistant manager of Lucky’s Pet Supply in Penticton.
She’s believed to be around age five and is part chihuahua although her owner, Chrystina Barnard, believes she may have some Italian Greyhound in her.
Barnard was working with an animal rescue group in Washington to help find adoptive homes and Darla was the last dog left to adopt.
“Darla kind of adopted me,” said Barnard.
She goes to work every morning and although she’s shy, she does have a group of regular customers who she’s gotten to know well.
“She’s like a miniature me,” said Barnard. “She could sleep all day, she’s very cuddly and she loves to eat. She has her own little chair here that she sits on all the time, it’s her throne.”
HOLLY
A visit to West Kelowna’s New Moon Gallery will begin with a warm welcome from Holly, the gallery’s official greeter.
Holly is a three-year-old border collie blue heeler dalmatian cross with a personality and a half, says owner Linda Lovisa.
“It’s such good company when you’re the sole business owner and you’re at work most of the time on your own,” said Lovisa.
Holly has her own couch in the gallery, but she will gladly share.
“She usually has her head on your lap while you’re having your tea,” said Lovisa. “She’s a good employee and people get a kick out of it. She has a way of bringing a sense of calm to people who come in.”
While Holly is in the gallery Monday to Friday, you won’t find her there on the weekend, because Saturday is her day off.
KACIE
Kacie is the best-educated dog on our list because she goes to school each day at Uplands in Penticton with her owner Lisa Edwards, the school’s principal.
A four-year-old, female yellow labrador, she is certified to work with kids.
“Kacie is a friendly face for staff, students and parents. She is quite intuitive and picks up on the feelings of others,” Edwards says. “If a student is hurt or a parent upset, she looks at them with her puppy dog eyes and they always acknowledge her with a smile. For students who struggle at times, she has been included as a safe space in safety plans and is also a great reward after meeting individual goals.” Kacie loves going to school and on the extremely rare occasions when she’s left home, she pouts. “All I have to say is ‘let’s go to school’ and she is at the door. Sometimes she skips breakfast and I believe it’s because she doesn’t want to let me out of her sight in case I leave without her,” Edwards said.
KODA
The Okanagan’s besttravelled dog, in 2015 he accompanied his master Robin Edgar Haworth on a foot journey from Penticton to Parliament Hill in Ottawa for a campaign called “Right the Wrong.” The walk was to create awareness for 30 social and environmental causes and was dedicated to the memory of the 1,100 murdered or missing aboriginal women in Canada. Koda lost seven pounds along the way and didn’t care for the plane ride back to Penticton, but was well taken care of. He celebrated his seventh birthday on the walk. Robin and Koda were already well known as they regularly walk six or seven miles a day in Penticton, even in bad weather.
MILO
When your owner is the editor of the newspaper, you get a lot of ink. Milo, a long-haired dachshund whose parents are from Louisiana, will turn 11 in April. He’s a regular participant in dog fundraisers and his favourite place to hang out is at the Cannery Brewing Co., which is dog friendly.
Milo has two part-time jobs, he’s a greeter at Dragon’s Den on Front Street and also works most Fridays at The Penticton Herald with his doting owner James Miller.
“I’ve written far better columns and stories, but the ones people want to talk about have something to do with Milo,” Miller said.
Milo’s dream is to work for the RCMP.
PICA
Pica, a 12-year-old female dachshund, was a regular on the campaign trail during the 2017 provincial election. Owned by Penticton’s Green party candidate Connie Sahlmark, Pica rode in a side car (complete with harness and goggles) to accompany her master as travelled by bike across the riding, speaking with voters.
“She’s a wonderful conversation starter — we get stopped by a lot of tourists wanting to take her picture,” Sahlmark said. “She loves going for a ride. The first time I had to coax her a little bit, but it’s something she looks forward to.”
As well as campaigning, Pica has twice participated in tours with Sahlmark in the Canadian Ride for a Cure, a fundraiser for childhood cancer.
ROSCOE
Co-owner Darlene Pappas jokes Roscoe is the manager of First Class Auto Glass in West Kelowna.
“After all, he comes to work every day, greets every customer and then flips over to get some major belly rubs,” said Pappas, who owns the West Kelowna shop with her husband, Dean.
The 10-year-old Shih Tzu-Sheltie cross’ favourite spot is by the front door in the streaming sun.
Roscoe loves kids, never barks and is wellknown to the whole customer base and neighbourhood.
“Customers and neighbours are constantly bringing their dogs over for play dates,” said Pappas.
“We’ve only had one customer in three years say they don’t like dogs, so Roscoe had to go in the back room while they were here.”
ZOE
Zoe, a black English Lab, will celebrate her ninth birthday on April 7 at the same place she spends most of her days.
Zoe is a regular at Trout Waters Fly and Tackle, located at 101-2340 Highway 97 North in Kelowna, near the corner of Leckie Road.
“She’s amazing with customers,” said coowner Nick Pace. “She’s very calm for a lab, she greets everybody, and loves to be petted.
“I think everyone appreciates seeing a shop dog,” Pace said. “It sort of shows the business isn’t all about the bottom-line, and that there’s a focus on lifestyle as well.
“We get a lot of comments from customers, to the effect that, ‘Man, I really wish I could bring my dog to work.’” Pace said.