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Kids & Pets Issue
A couple years ago I found myself in need of some direction. A counselor simply advised “get a dog.” I found the advice simplistic and, frankly, stupid—she must not “get it.” What books could I read? What guru could I pay to fix my life? I needed to meditate, journal, run, read, and get some medication.
It took years before I was seemingly settled enough to get a puppy. Like many of you readers, my husband and I welcomed a Covid puppy into our home in 2020. Along with my mom, we drove to Dodge Center, Minnesota that August to pick up a pair of 10 week old sisters—French Spaniels. After the tragic, premature passing of my parents’ English Setter, I realized that 1) I love dogs more than I realized 2) I really needed one of my own.
We named our French girls Clémentine “Cleme” and Choupinette “Nettie”. Honestly, what else are you going to do in the middle of a lockdown than hop in the car and drive 15 hours for some pups? It turned out to be—just like that strange therapist said—the best thing ever.
Nettie is a shedder. A licker. A 360 degree jumper, and the fastest dog I’ve ever seen. Her retrieving skills leave room for improvement, and she prefers to be hand-fed. Some people aren’t dog people, and that’s OK. For me, the best days are the ones that end covered in dog wispy white hair and kisses.
Cheers to all the lovable creatures in our lives.
KALI MCNUTT, PUBLISHER @BIRMINGHAM.LIFESTYLE
August 2025
PUBLISHER
Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Blair Moore | blair.moore@citylifestyle.com
INTERN
Emma Lawley | emma.lawley@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mary Fehr
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Blair Moore, Stephanie Emens Balzli, Kathleen Ramsey, Ph.D.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Ambre Amari
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Lynlee strongly believes in and supports residential growth in Birmingham Since obtaining her license in 2014, Lynlee has completed over 641 transactions totaling over $293 million dollars of real estate sold in the area. “I have made a huge effort to be intimately engaged in the central city and surrounding “city suburbs” from Forest Park to Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia, so that I can provide the greatest benefit to my clients, which I strongly believe is market knowledge”. Her greatest motivation is her clients: She says, “Success to me is doing what I love every day and knowing my contributions positively impact my clients, my company and my city and that I have produced the highest quality of work ”
Strawberries & Storybooks
Designed
Sloane and Campbell Weil relax with their pups, Sunny and Buster, in bedroom designed by Zoë Gowen. Photography: Mary Fehr
STRAWBERRIES & STORYBOOKS
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR
Designed with timeless charm and everyday joy, this Birmingham bedroom balances sweetness and sophistication in a space where childhood memories are made—and pups are welcome.
“Oh, darlin’, don’t you ever grow up. Don’t you ever grow up. Just stay this little.”
—Taylor Swift
Designing a picture-perfect bedroom for a little girl is one thing. But crafting a space as graceful as it is grounded in real childhood—that’s its own kind of magic.
Interior decorator Zoë Gowen brought that magic to life for the Weil family, dreaming up a space for 8-year-old Sloane that’s as enchanting as a storybook and every bit as inviting. It’s a room where pink feels soft, not sugary, and where thoughtful design meets the rhythms of real life.
From the start, Zoë’s mission was for the room to embrace the energy of childhood. “I wanted it to feel instantly cheerful and intentionally layered,” she says. “No stuffed animal should be left behind.” That includes Caitlin the Corgi, Chloe 1, Chloe 2, and “Beary,” Sloane’s mother’s beloved childhood stuffie.
The color palette began with Sloane’s favorite, of course: pink. Petal-soft, sunsoaked hues. “We went with a putty pink on the walls and matched it to the headboard,” Zoë says.
“We wanted to create a space that could grow with Sloane over the years,” adds her mother, Lauren. “It turned into this beautiful pink-and-green little girl’s paradise,
with lots of comfy fabrics and fun places where Sloane could play and put out all her toys. It feels exactly right—it’s playful, it’s personal, and she loves it now just as much today as the day it was done.”
Once that foundation was in place, the room found its playful focal point abroad. “The strawberry lamps by Stray Dog Designs were the next decision,” Zoë says. “I had just come back from visiting my friends in Mexico who own the company. Luckily, Lauren, Sloane (and brother Campbell) are all big strawberry people. And in this case, more is more, so we really piled it on with the pink shades.”
A blush-hued headboard mirrors the walls, while cheerful drapery fabrics from Leah O’Connell Textiles and floral shams from Sister Parish Designs strike a balance that feels equal parts heirloom and lighthearted. Beneath it all lies a wide-striped cotton dhurrie rug from English Village Lane—durable, cheerful, and made for days that start with tea parties and end with puppy cuddles. “We love the rug from English Village Lane,” Lauren says. “It’s been amazing. Such a great piece in the room.”
Oversized nightstands moonlight as art desks and doll stages. “They’re one of my favorite elements,” Zoë says. “They work well as nightstands, but they’re also a spot for drawing, playing make-believe—whatever the day calls for.”
Stuffed animals spill out of baskets. A mirror catches sunlight and little flashes of independence. The family’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Sunny and Buster, are always close by, often climbing into the middle of whatever’s unfolding on the rug. The quilt on Sloane’s bed, handmade by Lauren’s great-great aunt, brings a quiet thread of heritage into the joyful swirl of everyday life.
Sloane spends hours in her room, drawing, playing, imagining. “I really like my bedroom… the color of my walls and my strawberry lamps,” Sloane says, smiling. “I could play in there all day.”
For Drew and Lauren, it’s exactly what they hoped to give their daughter. “We’re so thankful to Zoë for her thoughtful and creative eye,” Lauren says. “She gave us a room Sloane will enjoy for many years to come.”
This kind of space stays with you.“Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room ,” Taylor Swift reminds us in her song Never Grow Up. Because someday, long after the dolls are packed away and the walls are repainted, the memories made here—the forts, the books, the dogs curled up beside her—will always belong to Sloane.
It TURN UP
Birmingham’s youth rock scene is loud, live, and here to stay
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR
When Ethan Brown was nine years old, he heard Eddie Van Halen’s Eruption, turned to his dad, and asked, “What is this?” That moment set his course, and he’s never looked back.
“He’s known since day one that this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life,” says his mom, Meredith. “And he has not wavered since he was nine.”
Now 16, Ethan is the frontman of Oxmoor, a rising local band with a loyal following, and a student at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. He’s played the front stage at Avondale, sat in with Birmingham jazz legends, and just returned from Berklee College of Music’s summer intensive Aspire—one of only a few teens nationwide awarded a full scholarship.
“Music has been the heartbeat of my life, guiding me through the highs and lows," Ethan says. "Each note is a reminder of who I am and where I want to go. Artists like Trey Anastasio, Jimmy Herring, Allan Holdsworth, Tony Rice , Luiz Bonfa among others didn’t just inspire me; they gave me the soundtrack to my journey.”
Ethan sings. He plays guitar, bass, drums—classical, jazz, bluegrass, jam, jazz fusion, rock, country. “He can pretty much play anything," says his mother, Meredith. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more dedicated, committed, passionate person about anything."
Birmingham, as it turns out, has quite the youth rock scene. Behind rising musicians like Ethan are the programs and places helping them plug in. From Firehouse Community Arts Center to Girls Rock Birmingham to Mason Music, the city is raising its own generation of career musicians.
One of the loudest forces behind that movement is Firehouse Community Arts Center, a nonprofit tucked
into Birmingham’s historic Avondale neighborhood. Founded by musician Eric Wallace, Firehouse is dedicated to making high-quality music instruction accessible to all.
“It was harder and harder to ignore the fact that all of my students were kids from the suburbs who could afford private lessons,” Eric says. “That’s when the idea for a nonprofit really came to life.”
Today, Firehouse offers lessons in drums, guitar, bass, voice, and keys—and provides instruments to students who need them. “Anyone taking a guitar lesson goes home with a guitar if they don’t have one,” Eric says. “If their people are cool with it, we’ll even give them a full drum set if they need it.” Over a third of students receive some form of scholarship, all made possible through donations.
“What really set Firehouse apart for me was the fact that they actually offer scholarships to kids that might not be able to afford music lessons or any kind of music education,” says instructor and longtime Birmingham musician Daniel Raine.
At Firehouse, the teaching approach is collaborative and student-centered. “Our philosophy is geared toward the best part of what music is—playing music with your friends,” Eric says. “You can learn guitar from YouTube, but you can’t learn what it looks like to live your life in music unless you see it up close.”
Daniel agrees. “I’m a big believer in telling kids, ‘Why don’t you try bass, guitar, drums, and keys and see which one you like best?’” he says. “A lot of these kids are so new to music, they don’t know what they’re good at yet.”
Beyond the classroom, Firehouse is also home to a basement venue that hosts student shows, community concerts, and underground bands. “Typically, you’ll have more punk, CONTINUED >
Ethan Brown
garage, and hardcore bands, but it’s open to whoever wants to book a show,” Daniel says.
That open-door ethos extends to the local scene as a whole. “The spirit of the music community here in Birmingham stands out in that we really support each other, collaborate, and help each other,” Daniel says.
For Eric and his team, the goal isn’t solely musical skill. “What’s possible when true musicians and artists teach young kids how to become themselves is so much bigger than just a guitar lesson or drum lesson,” he says. “It’s the creation of a community and a lifelong passion.”
That sense of community is clear even in the youngest musicians. “Friendship is the way to go in music,” says eight year old Wren Mulvehill, a student at Firehouse. “It feels good to play with your friends. It feels like you’re actually making friends instead of just band members.”
Her sister, Riata, agrees. “Music is more than strumming strings. It takes practice to get better,” she says. “It feels good because you’re not being judged on what you’re playing. You’re just doing what you like.”
Seventeen-year-old bassist Lillian Lagrone brings both brains and soul to the stage. A member of Oxmoor, she plans on becoming a neurologist someday. “I like challenging my mind and applying myself to difficult subjects.”
Geddy Lee of Rush is her musical hero whom she admires for playing bass and keyboard at once while demonstrating his wide vocal range. But it’s songwriting that’s taught her the most. “You can never stop learning,” Lillian says. “There’s no right or wrong way to make music.”
Over at Woodlawn Theatre, ten-year-old Te'Montez MartinPeebles is discovering the joy of playing live. A self-taught drummer who started banging on pots and pans at age three, he began lessons at Mason Music last year after his parents, Artesha and Tenez, enrolled him to support his passion. In June, he had the opportunity to perform onstage with The Voice artist Kate Cosentino.
“When I’m performing, I feel so excited — it feels like my soul ignites with light,” he says.
Another powerhouse organization shaping Birmingham’s music future is Girls Rock Birmingham, the nonprofit that hosts a high-energy summer camp empowering girls through music. “Campers get the full rock star treatment to look, sound, and feel their best,” says executive director Susie Cousins. Over one week, participants learn an instrument, form a band, write an original song, and perform it live on stage.
The results have been impressive. “Two of our Girls Rock alumnae were recently chosen to perform on stage with Brandi Carlile at her Mothership Weekend,” Susie notes, “and one opened for a surprise show by the Alabama Shakes!”
Girls Rock is about more than performance skills. It’s confidence, courage, and creativity in motion. “More and more young students want to develop their own personality through writing and performing pop, rock, and country music,” she says. “Rather than learning music as a solitary pastime, they are looking to gain the skills and confidence to perform in front of an audience.”
Girls Rock Birmingham is part of a dynamic network. “In addition to Girls Rock Bham, Firehouse Community Arts Center and Mason Music both offer programs and performance
“The spirit of the music community here in Birmingham stands out in that we really support each other, collaborate, and help each other.”
opportunities that foster musical experience for kids in the Birmingham area,” Susie says—all building a stronger, stageready generation.
Birmingham’s youth rock scene is thriving at Mason Music, home to the long-running Rock Band League program.
“Think youth sports—but rock ’n’ roll,” says Park Butterworth, Mason Music’s operations manager.
Each season, students are grouped into bands and paired with a professional coach who guides them through song selection, weekly rehearsals, and three live shows. “Since Rock Band League’s inception, the Birmingham music scene has really opened up to younger musicians,” Park says. “We have students who are now performing outside the program—from open mic nights to ticketed concerts alongside local and regional artists.”
For those ready to take it further, there’s Encore, an application-based summer session that takes the full-band experience on the road. “They sell their own tickets, branded merch, and then we hit the road to Nashville to perform alongside professional, touring artists,” Park says. “It’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else: a memory that’ll last a lifetime.”
For many kids, Rock Band League is the start of something lasting. Confidence. Community. A reason to keep picking up their instrument after the show ends.
“If you would’ve told me, the mohawked metal-head introvert at 15, that I’d be leading a program like this in my career, I would’ve thought I had died and gone to heaven,” Park says.
“Rock and roll is alive and well in Birmingham—and the next generation of rockstars is doing just fine.”
Te’Montez Martin-Peebles
Wren Mulvehill
Riata Mulvehill
Lillian Lagrone
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit,
THE MAGIC OF INCORPORATING PLAY INTO YOUR LIFE, WITH AND WITHOUT KIDS
Rediscovering the Joy of Play
ARTICLE BY ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBRE AMARI
It might be a parent dancing in the kitchen with their toddler. A grandparent chasing bubbles in the yard. Or a group of kids and grownups crouched on the sidewalk, taking turns in a high-stakes game of giant Jenga. But play doesn’t always involve children. It can look like reading a novel just for the fun of it, picking up a forgotten hobby, or laughing your way through a board game with friends. Wherever it shows up, these moments remind us: play isn’t just for children. It belongs to all of us.
Kelsee Philpot, owner of Hattie’s Toyland, sees it every day. What began as a dream to build a neighborhood toy store in honor of her daughter Hattie has grown into a community-wide invitation to reconnect with joy.
“Play connects people,” she says simply. “If it gets a mom to laugh with her child, or a dad to throw a ball, I’ve done my job.”
CONTINUED >
At Hattie’s, nestled in Trussville’s Entertainment District, the displays brim with colorful toys, some that evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. There’s a classic yo-yo, vintage Fisher Price toys stamped with the original logo, and Care Bears that look just like the ones pulled from childhood toy chests decades ago. “I’ve seen grown men walk in and say, ‘I had this when I was a kid,’” Kelsee says. “You see the spark. They want to pass it on. We knew kids would come into the store and be happy. What surprised us is that adults come in and are happy. It takes them back to being a kid themselves.”
The real magic, though, is in what happens next — when a parent or grandparent doesn’t just buy the toy, but rediscovers the joy of play for its own sake. “A lot of parents don’t know how to play,” Kelsee observes. “They had to grow up too fast. Sometimes they buy a toy hoping it will entertain their child, but they’re not sure how to join in.” That’s where she and her team come in, offering not just products, but guidance: “Here’s how this works. Here’s a game you can play together.”
The results, Kelsee says, are often more moving than anyone expects. She shares the story of a friend whose middle schooler had drifted toward screens. She bought him a tail ball — a simple toy with a soft tail you can throw and catch — and suddenly, her son was asking to play outside every day. “She told me, ‘I could cry that my seventh grader is asking his mom to come outside and play,’” Kelsee recalls. “And honestly, I could cry too.”
That kind of moment is what drives the mission at Hattie’s. “We’re learning how important play is in development,” Kelsee says, “and now our team is getting to pass that on — one conversation at a time.”
Play doesn’t require grand gestures or perfect weather. It’s about small, joyful moments. Whether it’s singing at the top of your lungs in the car, a quick game in the driveway, or a loop around the neighborhood, play gently opens doors to connection. “I feel like, for such a time as this, we were supposed to put a toy store in our community,” Kelsee says. “I didn’t know how much I’d be learning about the art of play — or how much it would mean to share it.”
AN INVITATION TO PLAY
Here’s a collection of playful ideas: small ways to bring fun into everyday life, whether you’re five or ninety-five.
GO FOR A LOOP.
Every night after dinner, Kelsee’s two-year-old grabs her stroller and walks the neighborhood loop with the family. “It’s amazing how peaceful it is to end your day that way,” Kelsee says. “Even the quietest person will start to open up.” Bonus: walking has a calming effect on the brain, making it the perfect time for heartfelt conversations.
KEEP ART SUPPLIES OUT IN THE OPEN.
During a week stuck at home with the flu, Kelsee’s middle school aged daughter filled an entire sketchbook and crafted a bouquet out of pipe cleaners. “Her brain just started firing,” Kelsee says. “She had the space to create.” Leaving paper, crayons, or paints within reach invites spontaneous creativity.
CREATE YOUR OWN DANCE PARTY CODE WORD.
One family Kelsee knows chose “Mariah” as their cue. Whenever the mood needs lifting, someone calls it out, and on comes Mariah Carey’s Emotions. “Even the dad and brother dance now,” she laughs. “You can’t stay mad if you’re dancing.”
CONTINUED >
The Philpot family outside Hattie’s Toyland in Trussville’s Entertainment District.
PLAY A GAME TOGETHER.
Keep it simple and joyful. Kelsee recommends favorites like Chunky Monkey Business and Go Nuts, Chipmunks! (a fast-paced board game even two-year-olds can enjoy). Set a 30-minute timer, silence the phones, and let laughter take over.
ASK PLAYFUL QUESTIONS.
Kelsee’s team keeps a jar of popsicle sticks, each with a conversation starter: What’s your favorite scent? If you had a magic wand, what would you do? “Simple questions lead to the best conversations,” she says. Try it at the dinner table, on a walk, or even on a phone call with a grandchild.
SWAP SCREENS FOR STORIES.
Whether it's a child listening to a bedtime tale or an adult finally picking up a novel they’ve been curious about, story has the power to calm, connect, and transport. For road trips or quiet evenings, Kelsee recommends the screen-free Toniebox for families — it plays songs, audiobooks, and bedtime stories, including charming exclusives like Doggyland and The Chronicles of Narnia. Grandparents can even record their own stories or prayers using “Creative Tonies,” which kids can play on demand. Sometimes the most playful thing an adult can do is read something purely for pleasure — not for work, not for self-improvement, but simply because they want to. Story invites us to pause, imagine, and return to a part of ourselves that too often gets buried under obligation.
Because at the end of the day, play isn’t about perfection or productivity. It’s about connection. And in the pace of our modern lives, where screens flicker endlessly and schedules overflow, creating space for play is one of the most meaningful gifts we can give — to our children, our families, and ourselves.
As Kelsee says, “If we can provide resources that bring a family together, that’s what it’s all about.”
Just for Fun
WE ASKED LOCALS:
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU DO JUST FOR THE JOY OF IT?
“Singing like a pop star around the house with my daughter. I am a horrible singer, but it’s so fun to just belt it out!” — Avani Patel
“Last year, I joined a Men’s (Over 35) baseball team, and I am just as nervous at bat as my 9-year-old.” — Greg Mihaly
“I go skateboarding with my nephew at the City Walk skate park. He’s much better than I am and he gets embarrassed by me, but we have fun!” — Mary Meadows Livingston
“I am learning to play the lap steel guitar.” —Kelly Burke
“A few years ago I bought a turntable and speaker system and began collecting vinyl records. I started with replacing the ones I had as a child and those that my parents wouldn’t let me have.” — Garland Stansell
“Family, golf, and taking walks with our dog Maggie.” — John Willard
“I’m learning calligraphy — it’s calming, creative, and makes me smile every time I pick up the pen.” — Elizabeth Adams
Embracing Neurodivergent Play
To further explore the many forms play can take, we invited Kathleen Ramsey, Ph.D., of Upward Behavioral Health to share insight on neurodivergent play.
Play is one of the building blocks of learning and communicating for young children. While adults may consider themselves to have “grown out of” playing, parents often channel their inner child and connect with their own children through play activities. When you think of play, you may automatically start picturing imaginative, back-and-forth games, such as creating stories with dolls or action figures, role playing “school” or “doctor,” or engaging in make-believe where something simple like a cardboard box is a spaceship. These forms of play are common in neurotypical children, where play schemes become more complex, creative, and reciprocal as children grow older. Neurodivergent children (e.g., those who have neurodevelopmental differences, such as autism, ADHD and learning disabilities) sometimes follow a similar trajectory, and sometimes they march to the beat of their own drum!
Historically, many neurodivergent children (especially autistic kids) are identified as having “deficits” in their play skills, particularly when they engage in play that is repetitive (e.g., lining up or organizing toys), non-functional (e.g., not using objects as intended), or limited in imagination. Through this lens, differences
in play are thought of as a problem to be fixed, and children must be taught how to play “appropriately” so they can fit in with their neurotypical peers. In contrast, we know that play is intrinsic to all children; it just may look different in neurodivergent children than how you might expect based on society’s expectations of them. There is no right or wrong way to play – All play is valid.
For parents whose neurotypes are different than their child’s, engaging in neurodivergent play may feel a bit less natural or familiar to them. You may have to adjust your ideas of what play is, expanding your definition to include ways of interacting with the world in a manner that you may not have even considered! Wondering how to embrace neurodivergent play? Here are some ideas:
• Engaging in parallel play (e.g., playing near your child while doing different things), sharing the experience of play with your child without pressuring them to play in a cooperative fashion
• Allowing your child to engage in solitary play, reducing social demands
• Mirroring your child’s play, which may include joining in on safe self-stimulatory behaviors (e.g., spinning, jumping)
• Incorporating sensory elements into play
• Following your child’s lead in play schemes and routines, even if you don’t immediately understand where it is going
• Supporting your child’s passionate interests
• Respecting and (if they are open to it) contributing to your child’s collecting, sorting, organizing, and categorizing
Recommended Resource: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Directed Neurodivergent Play by Kerry Murphy
SLEEP MATTERS
More than you know…
TheBirminghamDoctorHelpingFamiliesSleepAgain
If you’re a parent running on caffeine and crossed fingers at bedtime, you’re not alone—and you’re not failing.
Enter Dr. Mary Halsey Maddox, a board-certified pediatric sleep doctor in Birmingham, founder of Sleep Dreams, a virtual sleep medicine practice helping families get the sleep they need. After over a decade in academic medicine, Dr. Maddox saw how little practical, sciencebased sleep help families receive AND how long it took to get an appointment with a sleep doctor. Imagining a novel approach to sleep help, she opened Sleep Dreams in fall of 2024 to offer expert, customized support for families in Alabama from birth to 25 years, as well as classes on demand, available anywhere.
“Sleepisteachable,”shesays.“Familiesjustneedaccesstoexperts.”
What makes Sleep Dreams different? It’s physician-led, virtual, and judgment-free, plus it’s affordable and focuses on sleep skills for life. Dr. Maddox works with families on everything from infant night wakings to sleepwalking and night terrors to teen insomnia.
She also writes a free monthly newsletter filled with real-life sleep tips, because sleep impacts everything—mood, learning, health, and more.
Better sleep is possible. It’s not just a dream. Learn more or subscribe at sleepdreamscoaching.com . sleepdreamscoaching.com |
PASSED DOWN, CAST FORWARD
A BIRMINGHAM GUIDE, HIS GRANDFATHER, AND THE RIVER THAT KEEPS GIVING
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE
Before dawn on the river, the fog is so thick you can’t see the other side of the creek. Somewhere in the trees, a squirrel rustles. Birds trade early morning calls, and the Cahaba hums its slow, familiar song. “You just let the woods wake up around you,” says Will Hargery. “The birds start chirping, the squirrels start messing around, and then the water wakes up too.”
That’s how it started for Will—wading the chilly streams of East Tennessee with his grandfather, a self-described “nerd” for all things fly fishing. “He knew everything: how to tie flies, the biology of the stream. I got really lucky having a grandpa who wanted to pass that down.”
Now Will lives in Birmingham and runs Fetch Fly and Guide, teaching others how to read the water and try something new. He says fly fishing resonates with kids in a surprising way, even if they’re not quite as young as he was—just four or five—when he first picked up a rod.
Sometimes people shy away from fly fishing because it’s difficult. You’re taking something as simple as casting a line and turning it into a constant challenge. But for Will, that’s the draw. “It’s kind of like golf,” he says. “You hate it at first because it’s hard. But then you start to figure it out, and you want to keep going.”
Will has fished with his grandfather more than a hundred times. Once, they stayed out all night in a thunderstorm on Watauga Lake, catching smallmouth bass in head-to-toe GoreTex. Another time, Will landed a 45-pound striper in the South Holston River—“unheard of,” he says. “I have chill bumps talking about it.”
For Will, fishing is a way to unplug from digital noise and lean into stillness. “It’s a reset,” he says. “A time to be present. There’s nothing to do, no score, nowhere to be,” he adds. “If you don’t catch a fish, you just hike along the river and explore. When I’m out there, that’s when I feel closest to God.”
Because at some point, you realize it’s not all about the fish.
“To quote Henry David Thoreau—‘Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing it’s not fish they’re after’—that’s exactly it. You learn something and see something new every single time. A flower, a plant, a freaking snail.”
“Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing it’s not fish they’re after.”
—HENRY DAVID THOREAU
Will still visits his grandfather weekly. “He can’t get out on the water as much as he used to, but I take him out when I can.” And in the meantime, Will keeps casting forward— teaching, guiding, and keeping the legacy alive.
To learn more or book a lesson, visit @fetchflyandguide on Instagram or call 205.790.1792.
Front Row: Leslie Wyatt, Morgan Gearhart, Penny Calvert-Ward, Lynda Lewis Back Row: Kenny Burns, Paul Mitchell, Collins Compere, Ken Alderman, Ken Griffin
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR
SIT. STAY. SHOP.
AT THESE BIRMINGHAM BUSINESSES, THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE COMES WITH FOUR LEGS AND A LITTLE ATTITUDE
They nap on antique rugs, greet you like kin, and keep a watchful eye on the UPS man. Some sprawl on cool tile. Others have a chair with their name on it. But all of them—every paw-shaking, tail-wagging one—know they’re the real reason folks stop by. Meet seven of Birmingham’s most beloved shop dogs.
“She doesn’t work Saturdays. She prefers affection to treats and has never met a rule she couldn’t follow.”
Lucy, The Cook Store
Title: Mascot & Professional Greeter
Seven-year-old Lucy has been coming to The Cook Store since she was a seven-week-old pup. She’s been the main attraction ever since.
A goldendoodle with a cloudlike coat and the demeanor of a seasoned Southern hostess, Lucy spends her days greeting guests from her monogrammed front chair. (Don’t even think about sitting there—she truly doesn’t understand why anyone would put a purse, package, or person in her spot.) When she’s not overseeing foot traffic from the front, she’s stretched out on the cool tile by the pots and pans, supervising with restrained authority.
Lucy is not food-driven. She doesn’t work Saturdays. She prefers affection to treats and has never met a rule she couldn’t follow. “She can tell time,” says owner Wesley Lassen. “She knows when it’s time to walk, time to go home, and if my phone dings after 4:00, she knows her dad is probably on the way.”
She loves her people, especially the mailmen, John and Cedric, and is protective of the staff. She’s tolerant of visiting dogs, but make no mistake: this is her domain. If another pup needs to come in, Lucy will gladly step out for a stroll while they borrow her spotlight.
She walks the Village three times a day, popping into shops, turning heads, and prompting more “Aww!” than most babies in bonnets. “People always speak to her before they speak to me,” Wesley says. “She’s the most popular.”
Lucy is calm, loyal, gentle—and yes, famously soft. “People say all the time, ‘She looks like a stuffed animal,’” Wesley says. “Or they ask, ‘Can I pet her?’ She’s just that kind of dog.”
She doesn’t beg for attention. She just gets it.
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“He takes his job very seriously. And by ‘seriously,’ we mean he insists on greeting every student like they’re the most important person on earth.”
CJ, Unless U & Post Place
Title: Chief Joy Officer & Director of Snuggles
CJ is a 2.5-year-old Standard Poodle from FIDOS Facility Dogs with a heart as fluffy as his fur. At Unless U and Post Place—a Vestavia campus for adults with developmental disabilities—he lives up to his very official titles: Chief Joy Officer and Director of Snuggles.
“He takes his job very seriously. And by ‘seriously,’ we mean he insists on greeting every student like they’re the most important person on earth,” says Marye Grace Sauermann, Marketing and Development Director at Unless U. CJ has perfected the slow lean into your leg for maximum affection. He likes to perch on the cool floor tiles in the front office “like he owns the place (because he kind of does).” He’s a rule-follower through and through—“professionally trained and acts like he graduated with honors”—though he may occasionally bend the rules in exchange for belly rubs.
As for his diva behavior? CJ refuses to hop into any vehicle. “Oh no, that’s far too undignified for someone of his stature,” Marye Grace says. “He insists on using his own personalized step stool to enter and exit like the four-legged royalty he is. We’ve tried coaxing, bribing, even pep talks. He just stands there with those soulful eyes until the step stool appears. Only then will he gracefully ascend, like he’s stepping onto a tour bus before a big show. Total rockstar energy.”
One day on campus, CJ quietly made his way over to a student who was visibly upset. “Without any prompting, he gently laid his head on their lap and stayed there until they smiled again,” Marye Grace recalls.
At Unless U, CJ is more than a mascot. He’s a celebrity therapist with fur. “Everyone feels better after spending time with CJ.”
“They’re calm enough to make people pause and ask, ‘Do they always act like this?’ (They do.)”
Dolly & Lucy, Lovell Pediatric Dentistry
Titles: Chief Smiles Officer (Dolly) & Director of Snuggles and Patient Relations (Lucy)
At Lovell Pediatric Dentistry, there’s no shortage of smiling faces— but none quite like Dolly and Lucy. These golden retrievers bring calm, charm, and canine comfort to kids (and parents) who might not be so excited about the dentist.
Lucy, six, is serene and steady. “She’s always in ‘I’m here, but I’m relaxing’ mode,” says Dr. Adrian Lovell. She lounges like a day-spa regular and makes Dr. Lovell’s office feel more like home. Dolly, two, is the blonde bundle of sunshine—greeting every visitor with uncontainable joy. “She’s our unofficial welcome committee,” Dr. Lovell says. “She specializes in tail wags and giggle-inducing greetings.”
If someone dares focus too long on Lucy, Dolly is quick to insert herself. Gently. Persistently. “She must be the center of attention,” Dr. Lovell laughs. “She’ll wedge herself right between you to redirect the spotlight.”
While Dolly treats rules like light suggestions—especially when treats are involved—Lucy plays the composed big sister, often trying (unsuccessfully) to keep Dolly in line. Their one shared obsession? “Crunching ice cubes like they’re gourmet snacks.”
They’re calm enough to make people pause and ask, “Do they always act like this?” (They do.) Their weekly spa appointments help them maintain just the right level of golden glamour.
Some families drop in just to see the dogs on days they don’t even have appointments. “It’s often the highlight of their day,” Dr. Lovell says. “Their calming presence brings comfort, smiles, and a little extra joy to the care we provide.”
“Prim, proper, and entirely uninterested in making a fuss, Mattie is the epitome of gallery grace.”
Title: Director of First Impressions & Nap Coordination
Every gallery needs someone who understands the art of restraint. At Arceneaux Gallery in Birmingham, that role belongs to Mattie— an 11-year-old Havanese who greets visitors with a single bark, then retreats to her bed to resume her true calling: lounging.
“She’s kind of the doorbell,” says owner Tim Arceneaux. “She barks when someone walks in, then goes back to her spot.”
Prim, proper, and entirely uninterested in making a fuss, Mattie is the epitome of gallery grace. She’s sweet, well-behaved, and—unlike most of the art—not for sale. While some shop dogs bound from room to room, Mattie prefers to observe from her front post (or disappear entirely when she’s had enough socializing).
She’s not food-motivated, at least not by dog treats. “We have to search and search to find something she likes,” says Tim. “She’s finicky.” Her favorites? Ham, turkey, and—in a younger, wilder phase—Doritos and Skittles.
Outside the gallery, Mattie enjoys quiet walks by the bay and the occasional beach trip (but don’t expect her to get sandy—she’s there for the vibes). She sets the tone with effortless grace, even if the art on the walls doesn’t interest her one bit.
Mattie, Arceneaux Gallery
“If lunch arrives— especially from Lewis— he’s off the rugs and laser-focused on fries.”
Buddy, Paige Albright Orientals
Title: Retired Head of Security & FullTime Rug Connoisseur
Buddy has long since retired from his security post at Paige Albright Orientals, but don’t be fooled—he’s still running things. A 10-year-old rescue from Two by Two, Buddy is mostly Shih Tzu and entirely in charge.
Most days, he can be found atop a curated stack of antique rugs or perched on the front table, greeting visitors with a look that says, “You may approach.” If lunch arrives—especially from Lewis—he’s off the rugs and laser-focused on fries.
Buddy doesn’t do rules. He does presence. He’s expressive without barking, slightly royal in posture, and looks spectacular in photographs (a fact of which he is well aware). He once placed second in a Humane Society photo competition—but that doesn’t matter. In his mind, he won.
Ask anyone on staff and they’ll tell you: Buddy has strong opinions, impeccable taste, and no real plans to retire.
“He’s got his own hashtag,” says Paige. “#buddylovesrugs.” And everyone loves Buddy.
“At seven years old, this standard poodle sweeps through the showroom like the whole thing was styled around her curls.”
Title: Self-Appointed Queen & Professional Mirror Critic
Bianca receives customers at Postmark Paris Antiques with a confidence that’s hard to teach. At seven years old, this standard poodle sweeps through the showroom like the whole thing was styled around her curls. She’ll allow pets, pose for photos, and occasionally bark at antique mirrors (“They’re haunted,” she insists).
She lounges on fine French rugs, never the floor. She shares space only on her terms. And if you ask if she loves her dad, she’ll leap into his lap and nuzzle under his chin, smiling as he presents her with a treat.
She follows most rules—unless someone failed to say “leave it,” in which case she claims plausible deniability. Her signature move? A fulltilt poodle sprint, ears flapping like satellite dishes, sneezing, grinning, and soaking in the attention.
“Some dogs have masters,” says owner Scott Renshaw. “Bianca has a staff.”
She snuggles like she’s wearing Chanel and carries herself like royalty—which, in this shop, she is. Just ask her. She’ll agree.
Bianca,
Mary Meadows Livingston, CFA, CFP® - Founder, Abeona Wealth
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE EMENS BALZLI
Mildred: The Bird Who Bowed
It all started with a New Year’s resolution to walk every day. Yep, that’s a low bar, but it had to be something I couldn’t talk myself out of on a busy day. I’m a trial lawyer and practice with my husband, Chris, and we have two very active kids. I had been trying to find some kind of self-care outlet and a little fresh air in the morning was the most doable option.
At first, it was just me and the songbirds, no AirPods or distractions. But as the sun began rising earlier, so did the neighborhood crows. Crows are not the early birds, but they are the loudest. Once they’re up, every-
Although I was annoyed at having to share my time slot with the crows, I kept walking. And I started noticing one crow that was different. She always seemed to be in the same spot along my walk, quiet and observant—never joining in the clamor overhead. One morning, she hopped right into the middle of the sidewalk in front of me. I stopped and said, “Well, okay. Good morning to you.” And then—yes, I know it sounds nuts—this crow made a distinct, deep bow and looked back up at me.
It seemed like the only thing to do was bow back. She appeared satisfied with my response and hopped back
Naturally, I went home and Googled, “What does it mean if a crow bows to you?” Apparently, it’s a thing. And from that point forward, it became our thing. The name Mildred popped in my head and stuck—it captured her calm demeanor and formal appearance.
Mildred usually joins me about halfway through my walk, once the sun’s been up for a little while. She hops beside me on the sidewalk, or flies from mailbox to mailbox, pausing just long enough to make sure I’m keeping up—unless it’s trash day.
Trash day is a special occasion for all crows. That’s when they are at their loudest and most rambunctious— everyone is yelling to their friends where the scores are (“Guys! We got Doritos over here!”). On those days, I may get a Mildred flyby on her way to a promising bin. If it’s a good haul, the crows might take the next day
off entirely. Over the past year of paying more attention to crows generally, the only time I’ve heard more racket than trash day has been when a new group shows up and there’s a turf war.
Do the neighbors think I’m nuts? Probably, but I try to keep a low profile (or did—that jig is up). If someone approaches while she’s hopping beside me, I usually shoo her up into a tree rather than try to explain. “Um, yes, this crow is with me, but don’t worry—she’s a polite one. We don’t like those noisy crows, do we, Mildred?”
I have wondered if Mildred’s silence is the reason she seeks out human connection. Maybe there’s some limitation there that makes it hard for her to fit in with the other crows.
But even though she’s quiet, Mildred has plenty of other ways to communicate. She loves to play, and I know she’s in a good mood when she breaks out the aerial stunts. Her favorite is "The swoop." She’ll leap from a high branch, dive down low until her feathers skim the ground, and then loop back up for another pass—always glancing back to be sure I’m watching. When she’s impatient, she will scrape her beak back and forth against a branch or fencepost, as if to say, “Come on!” She knows I love it when she fluffs her feathers up into a giant poof, so if I make a “brrr” noise she’ll do it on cue (unless she’s not feeling it, in which case I get the beak scrape).
My kids, for the most part, are unimpressed. They want a dog. They are entirely unsatisfied with a crow. For some reason, they can’t appreciate how low-maintenance a crow is.
A year and a half in, and I still start my day with a walk, and Mildred still accompanies me most days. As for why Mildred picked me? I think it’s because I was the only one weird enough to bow back. I’m sure she’s tried it before with people who didn’t notice.
Over the past year, she’s made me realize just how much is unfolding in nature if we take the time to notice—even in the suburbs. Even on trash day.
Stephanie is an attorney with Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys. She and her husband, Chris Balzli, live in Liberty Park with kids, Mary Lou (9) and Chris (7)
A trial lawyer, a crow, and an unlikely friendship
