The shop dogs of Porirua City

tracked down some of Porirua’s most loved shop ambassadors.

Libraries traditionally had cats and fire stations had dalmatians, but do modern shops still have an animal mascot?

JIMMY, 10

Owned by Barbara Wetzel at Porirua Cycle and Mower Centre, Jimmy drags his toy tyre around all day.

‘‘It’s the second one he’s had and he gets a bit sulky if you don’t play with him.’’

Jimmy, a border collie, loved attention from customers, Wetzel said.

‘‘He’s too intelligent for his own good, he nudges you in the butt if you’re serving customers and he wants to play.’’

LADY, MAYBE 9

Owned by Simon Waterworth, Lady has the appetite of a labrador, partner Carol said.

The boxer always greeted customers at Porirua Floor Court and demanded a pat when they came in the door.

‘‘There’s only ever been one person who didn’t like her so I had to shut Lady in the manager’s office where she proceeded to yodel.’’

ROXY, 15

The elderly rhodesian ridgeback has come to work at Kenepuru Auto Services since she was an 8-week-old pup, owner Russell Guy said.

‘‘She loves kids and tries to follow me around, but she’s just too old,’’ owner Russell Guy said.

‘‘She’s blind in the left eye, deaf and riddled with arthritis - she’s just awesome.’’

BASIL, 5

Basil is a kelpie crossed with a lab crossed ‘‘with something fast’’, owner Dean Tredrea says.

The 5-year-old dog has come to work at The Glass Shoppe since Tredrea adopted him as a pup from the SPCA.

‘‘I love having him here and he loves being around.’’

A timid hound, Basil does like women and making his way to the nearby pet store where staff occasionally wash and dry him.

‘‘He came home dressed as Santa one day.’’

LIBBY AND LUCY, 7

Claudio Salvador is on much better terms with the dog ranger now that Libby and Lucy spend their days hanging out at Kenepuru Auto Services.

‘‘Before that they’d jump the fence and run away.’’

The New Zealand huntaways have been accompanying their owner to work for the past two years.

‘‘Some people pat the hell out of them and others ignore them. You never can tell.’’