Kids & Pets
LIFE + CULTURE
UNLIKELY PET PALS, PLAYFUL ESCAPES AND BIG LIFE LESSONS
THE CONTINENTAL SHOE LOOK
The Continental shoe look is all about practicality—shoes that serve multiple purposes with style and ease. While expanding your collection is always an option, we recommend starting with these 5 essential pairs:
CAP TOE BLACK LACE-UPS | Ideal for formalwear, whether you’re wearing a suit or a tuxedo.
MEDIUM BROWN SUEDE LOAFERS | Versatile and elegant, perfect with a sport coat and jeans or even dressed up with a suit.
NAVY BLUE SUEDE LOAFERS | A stylish alternative that pairs just as well with both casual and semiformal looks.
BELGIAN LOAFERS | Exceptionally versatile; wear them casually with linen or jeans, or elevate them with a tuxedo.
LEATHER SNEAKERS | Opt for a sleek design in leather with a light-tan rubber sole. These are strictly casual—best paired with linen or cotton pants and jeans.
When it comes to style, opt for simple shoes for a cleaner, more refined look. If your pants have belt loops, match your belt to your shoes. For socks, wear no-show socks in spring and summer. In fall, choose ornamental patterns. For winter, stick with solid merino wool for warmth and style.
That’s the Continental shoe game—timeless, refined, and effortlessly versatile.
Kids, Pets and Someone Dear
Few things bring as much joy—or chaos—as kids and pets. That’s why this month, we’re celebrating both in a playful, heartwarming issue that’s packed with inspiration, valuable insights, and plenty of smiles.
We’re honored to feature Cleft Rescue Unit this month, a group whose mission goes beyond saving animals—creating meaningful bonds with children who see reflections of their own stories in these rescued companions. We’re also exploring ways to prepare the next generation for success with thoughtful features on careers in the trades and how to teach kids about personal finance—essential life skills that help build a brighter future.
Of course, we couldn’t resist having a little fun, too. This issue includes a few lighter reads that we loved putting together—like a peek at unusual pets, unexpected places for kids to play, and a “fairy-TAIL” twist on high school yearbook superlatives… for dogs. Yes, we created a canine yearbook for the dogs from Paws & Claws Pet Care, and it was everything we hoped it would be. Our cover pup, Boomerang, earned the prestigious title of Best Head Tilt—and the editorial team had a blast imagining what thoughts that charming tilt could possibly mean. "Why do you get peanut butter and opposable thumbs?" "Let me get this straight: you adopted me for companionship and now you’re leaving me… to 'go to Pilates'?" You get the idea.
This issue also marks a bittersweet milestone for our magazine. It is the final edition led by our remarkable Editor, Mary Stone. Many of you will remember Mary from her time at Post magazine, and we were beyond fortunate to have her return to print and help launch ROC City Lifestyle. Her editorial insight, thoughtful approach, and sharp instinct shaped this publication from its very first issue. Mary’s presence gave the magazine clarity, direction, and soul—and her steady guidance ensured that our content always informed, inspired, and resonated with readers.
While Mary is moving on to pursue higher education, we’re thrilled that she’ll remain connected to the magazine now and again as a contributing writer. As the founding editor, she’ll forever be a part of ROC City Lifestyle’s story—and as a friend and colleague, she’ll always hold a place in our hearts.
Here's to ever-evolving kids, pets who offer love & laughs, and the storytellers who bring it all together.
On behalf of myself and my ROC partner Laura Bennett, thanks for being here.
BETTY DOLCE, PUBLISHER
@ROCCITYLIFESTYLE
August 2025
PUBLISHER
Betty Dolce | Betty.Dolce@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Laura Bennett | laura.bennett@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Mary Stone | mary.stone@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Katrina Randall | katrina.randall@citylifestyle.com
Lisa Barbato
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Renée Veniskey
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
STARTING LIFE ON THE RIGHT FOOT
Permanent life insurance offers a unique set of options and flexibility. Purchasing life insurance for your children while they’re young can potentially provide a head start on their financial future by offering protection for their future families, even amidst changes to their health.
MayeuFinancialGroup.com (585) 248-4717 162 Pittsford-Victor Road, Ste. 200, Pittsford, NY 14534
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Zazzaro
business monthly
Play-a-Latté Opens in Webster
This "Play Cafe" offers imaginative play, birthday parties and special events for children, and a place for parents to relax, connect, and enjoy a quality cup of coffee. 1028 Ridge Road suite 130, Webster.
Scan to read more
New Openings in Pittsford Plaza
Ulta Beauty is set to open featuring a wide range of beauty products and a full-service salon. Mamma G’s known for its authentic Italian cuisine, American classics, signature dishes, homemade pasta will introduce an expanded menu, including wood-fired pizza, a full bar, and daily lunch and dinner service. Georgio's Pizza specializes in authentic New York-style pizza, wings, and fried favorites. Georgio’s Pizza will offer both dine-in and take-out options daily for lunch and dinner.
ROC the Block Community Employment Fair
ROC the Block is a community-based hiring initiative that brings businesses and recruiters to the city's four quadrants throughout the summer and early fall. With this fun, local, block-party-styled event, Rochester employers and residents can meet to discover employment opportunities. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20, Salvation Army, 100 West Ave. Scan to read more
By Renée C. Veniskey
WHERE THE Story Begins
A Boy, a Puppy and the Origin of Cleft Rescue Unit
ARTICLE BY KATRINA M. RANDALL
The Cleft Rescue Unit (CRU) appeared on
The Kelly Clarkson Show in April 2025.
Just like every story has a beginning, every bond has an origin story—and so does every mission. For one nonprofit, it began with a puppy and a boy, both born with cleft palate issues.
When Lindsay Weisman first began fostering a French bulldog puppy named Wrigley, a bond began to grow as she cared for him. So when a friend told her they knew someone in Brighton who was interested in meeting the pup, she was resistant. But she decided to meet them anyway--which, as fate would have it-- sparked a new friendship and launched an entire organization dedicated to helping cleft-affected puppies.
During that initial meeting, Avery Fero, whose son Jack was born with a cleft lip and palate, spoke about their journey through numerous surgeries. “There was the cutest boy ever with a scar from his cleft lip. It was so touching, all of us had tears and were overwhelmed by the connection,” Weisman says. “I could not in good conscience not adopt him to that family, and that was where the impetus came from.”
From that union, Cleft Rescue Unit (CRU) was born. The all-volunteer nonprofit organization is dedicated to rescuing neonatal puppies with cleft palates and medical needs. Foster families nurture them so they can find their forever homes with people who understand and are willing to care for any special needs the puppies may have. CONTINUED >
Jack and Moto now
Jack and Moto then
Founded in 2023, the organization works with clinics and breeders who call when cleft-affected puppies are born. The issue is especially prevalent among dog breeds with short noses, like French bulldogs.
A puppy with a cleft palate can’t nurse, so they have to be tube-fed for survival. CRU has a network of people who transport puppies from out of state one to three times a week.
When she gets a call, Weisman activates her team of foster parents, five of whom are local to the Rochester area and two of whom are in Ohio, where many puppies are rescued. But they also accept puppies from all over the northeast, including Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. They raise them, and once they’re the appropriate age, typically eight weeks (though it depends on the severity of the cleft issue or medical issue), they adopt them out.
While cleft-affected puppies are their main focus, they take dogs with many other special needs as well, including puppies with prolapsed rectums, swimmers syndrome and hydrocephalus (pressure from fluid on the brain). They also take puppies born blind, deaf or with birth defects, including puppies born without eyes or legs.
CLEFT RESCUE UNIT
The organization works with clinics and breeders when cleft-affected puppies are born. The issue is especially prevalent among dog breeds with short noses, like French bulldogs.
A puppy with a cleft palate can’t nurse, so they have to be tube-fed for survival. Five to eight volunteers transport puppies from out of state one to three times a week.
CRU Founder Lindsay Weisman
“We’re open to taking care of a lot of special needs; we do what we can to make sure they have happy, fulfilling lives.”
If the puppies in care of CRU don’t transition from tube feeding to eating and drinking food and water normally, they work closely with the Golisano Children's Hospital Pediatric Cleft and Craniofacial Center, with two of the program’s surgeons doing the surgeries pro bono while working closely with veterinarians. Many of the puppies eat and drink well on their own. If they have a lot of infections, which they can be prone to, the CRU team looks at repair, but it’s intensive and complex, so it’s a last resort.
Puppies with cleft palates often have other health problems, so CRU doesn’t often place ones with more extensive issues with children. When they do adopt out puppies to children, which is one of the goals of the organization, it’s typically puppies with a cleft lip, which is more of an aesthetic than a medical issue.
To connect more puppies with cleft-affected children, they partner with organizations, such as Smile Train, the largest cleft organization in the world, so children can interact with them. They bring puppies to events and cleft camps, and this summer they’ll be at Sea Breeze.
CONTINUED >
“For us as a family, when we get to go to these craniofacial events with the kids and their families it’s a two-part thing watching these children just connect with these puppies,” Fero says. “And for me to connect with the parents. I’m on a different side of it—it’s been great. It’s cathartic, and it’s been great for my son to connect with the other kids too.”
Since that fateful day four years ago, when Jack and Wrigley (now known as Moto), first met, Fero has become one of Weisman’s foster parents. After all the medical issues Jack has had to deal with as a result of his cleft palate and lip, caring for cleft-affected puppies comes naturally to Fero.
Currently, she’s fostering a cleft-affected Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who will be trained as a service dog for a friend of hers whose daughter has autism. “I think my favorite part is truly watching them [the dogs] live these independent lives, and I feel the same way about my son,” Fero says.
As for Moto and Jack, they’re still buddies. “He’s always been an empathetic child toward any kid who has any type of special needs, and I think Moto has become this new connective piece toward all of that as well,” Fero says. “He does talk about it with his friends, you know ‘Moto, he’s just like me.’"
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BEYOND THE PLAYGROUND
HIDDEN GEMS FOR KIDS AROUND ROCHESTER
ARTICLE BY KATRINA M. RANDALL
From beach days to amusement parks and museum explorations, Rochester offers a diverse range of activities to keep kids engaged. But as August kicks into full gear and the backto-school countdown begins, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover some of the area’s hidden gems that you won’t want to miss. With four distinct seasons and all sorts of weather in between, remember to plan accordingly.
Roc City Circus
ROC CITY CIRCUS
Location: 1344 University Ave., Suite 6200, Rochester, NY 14607
Contact: 585.287.5976
More info: roccitycircus.com
Best time to go? Any time of year
If your child has ever dreamed of running away with the circus and has a love of movement, you’re in luck—ROC City Circus can help that dream come true. Catering to both adults and children, classes allow participants to experience the trapeze and aerial arts. While Youth Aerials is designed for ages seven to twelve, even the littlest ones can participate in Peanut & Parent Circus Class, which is offered to children ages one to three.
Youth who take classes will rotate between flying on the trapeze, learning aerial hoop, aerial silk, static trapeze and aerial hammock. “We’re not competitive. If the kids and parents are tired of the more competitive dance or gymnastics scene, many of the movements are still the same ones you’d use for dance or gymnastics,” says Mandy Raville, owner of ROC City Circus.
“You can’t just go anywhere and learn these things. We get a lot of kids who say, ‘I watched the “Greatest Showman,” and I want to try it,’ and they come in and get hooked.”
WEBSTER ARBORETUM POETRY TRAIL
Location: 1700 Schlegel Rd., Webster, NY 14580
Contact: 585.512.8886
More info: thewebsterarboretum.org
Best time to go? Spring, summer, fall
Soak up the last of summer foliage at Webster Arboretum at Kent Park, and while you’re there, walk the Poetry Trail—combining literary prose with the great outdoors. The trail, which just opened this past May, was a passion project created by Rochester-area poet Ron Friedman. Featuring poetry written by area writers, including a preschool class from Webster Central School District, the trail winds over bridges and around a gazebo, featuring plaques with selected works of local poetry.
“For most visitors, it’s the first time they have seen, touched and fed a reindeer...”
“The trails of the Arboretum are filled with color, shapes, textures, still and flowing water, and sequential blooms. It is an exceptional environment to find yourself in a state of flow, where you are just part of the moment and place to play and take in the sights and break free from electronic stimulation,” says Friedman. “We intentionally designed the project to include young kids as well as adults in their senior years. By having the kids' poem on the trail, other kids will hopefully realize (now or in the future) that there is a larger community out there that wants to hear from them and their individual voices.”
CONTINUED
Olean High school class at the Webster Arboretum
Roc City Circus, an aerial sports center
SHORTSVILLE REINDEER FARM
Location: 4285 Shortsville Rd., Shortsville, NY 14548
Contact: 585.282.9892
More info: shortsvillereindeer.com
Best time to go? Any time of year
On a small farm in Shortsville, you can find interesting classes, activities and events throughout the year. One of the more unique things about this farm, however, is its reindeer. Owner Mike Schaertl says they bought their first two reindeer in 2017 and have been growing ever since. Although it’s considered a hobby farm, it also has chickens, beehives, a small maple syrup operation, apple picking, cider pressing on an antique mill, pumpkins in the fall, as well as Christmas trees during the holidays.
Of course, the most popular activity is the reindeer, Schaertl says, with their busiest season running from Thanksgiving to January. Visitors often come to get pictures with the reindeer, feed them and walk with them. “For most visitors, it is the first time they have seen, touched and fed a reindeer, not just the kids but the parents and grandparents as well. Many come here with the assumption that reindeer are not a real species and are surprised to learn about them. But for the littlest visitors, the highlight of their visit is the chickens, not the reindeer.”
EXPLORE THESE OTHER UNIQUE SPOTS:
Lamberton Conservatory
Location: 180 Reservoir Ave., Rochester, NY 14620
The Webster pre-K class, who are now in kindergarten, were honored during a special ceremony where they got to see their poem on display
Contact: 585.753.7270
More info: monroecounty.gov/parks-conservatory Best time to go? Any time of year
Offering tranquility within a glass greenhouse, the Lamberton Conservatory features a vibrant array of flowers and plants. You may even encounter small quail and turtles living among the fauna and flora.
THE LILAC ADVENTURE ZONE IN HIGHLAND PARK
Location: 249 Highland Ave., Rochester, NY 14620
Contact: NA
More info: bartonandloguidice.com/project/lilac-adventure-zone Best time to go? Spring, summer, fall
Near the annual Lilac Festival in Highland Park is a playground featuring natural, free-form timber structures made from recycled materials salvaged from other county parks. Offering accessible pathways, pavilions, bike racks, public parking and a nature play area, it’s the perfect spot to let children play among the blooming lilacs or when fall foliage has painted the area in vivid hues.
PAINTBOX ROCHESTER
Location: 3122 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14618
Contact: 716.903.8490
More info: paintboxrochester.com
Best time to go? Any time of year
If you’re looking for a creative outlet, Paintbox Kids Art Center is all about “imaginary play, sensory play and getting messy” and is open to kids ages two to ten.
MOCKINGBIRD FARM SANCTUARY
Location: 5978 Upper Holley Rd., Byron, NY 14422
Contact: mockingbirdfarmny@gmail.com
More info: mockingbirdfarmny.com
Best time to go? Spring, summer, and fall
Outside the city, Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary offers animals who may have been neglected, abused, surrendered, fated for slaughter, or have medical needs a forever home. From cows, pigs, horses, and llamas, to Maine coon cats, and rabbits, there are a number of resident animals with interesting backstories waiting for humans to visit.
ISMASH
Location: 1225 Jefferson Rd., Suite 24, Rochester, NY 14623
Contact: 585.270.8221
More info: ismashusa.com/locations/ny-rochester
Best time to go? Any time of year
Is your child looking for a “smashing” good time? iSMASH offers smashing rooms, paint splatter packages in fun, neon colors, and axe throwing for the older ones.
ROCHESTER PINBALL COLLECTIVE
Location: 349 West Commercial St., Suite 2965, East Rochester, NY 14445
Contact: info@rochesterpinball.com
More info: rochesterpinball.com
Best time to go? Any time of year
Do you have a burgeoning pinball wizard on your hands? Located in Piano Works Plaza, this throwback has more than 75 different pinball machines ranging from the 1950s to contemporary times. Since all the machines are set on unlimited free play, you won’t be weighed down by a pocketful of quarters.
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UNUSUA L PETS
Our pets may not be able to speak our language, but the connection they form with humans and animal companions is a bond that often doesn’t require words. For most people, the idea of a “pet” is synonymous with dogs or cats. But just like people, pets come in a vast range of shapes and sizes, and they don’t always have fur or offer soft cuddles. And yet, that doesn’t diminish the bond that can grow between animals and humans.
Unforgettable Connections
ARTICLE BY KATRINA M. RANDALL
SEDONA EMBRY AND LOUIS
Sedona Embry has owned birds her entire life, so when a red-fronted macaw named Louis was surrendered to Exotic Pet Birds in Webster, she was undeterred by his grumpy personality. In fact, she found that his name fit perfectly with his temperament.
When Louis first arrived, he was scared and defensive. “Over the years since we have gained his trust, his personality has exploded. He is affectionate now, lets me hold and kiss him, but most of all, he is playful,” Embry says. His favorite game is something they call “basket.” “Basket is quite literally an empty plastic laundry bin that he intentionally flips over onto himself and pushes across the floor like he is the driver of a small, chaotic taxi.”
Her constant companion, Louis helps pick out his breakfast in the morning and is with her when she says goodnight to the other birds in the evening. “Every single night, without fail, he ‘coughs’ before going to sleep,” she says. “We think his previous owner might have had a chronic cough because when the lights go out, like clockwork, Lou begins to cough, clears his throat, and then mutters to himself before he sleeps.”
For Embry, who has always loved birds, they symbolize freedom and resilience.
“With such smart and social creatures it always feels so rewarding to be able to earn their trust and build a connection with them. Birds are picky!”
CONTINUED >
RENEE VENISKEY AND HAMILTON
For some seven years, Renée Veniskey had a best friend named Hamilton, whom she called “Hammy” for short. Hamilton, who has since passed on, was a miniature potbelly— although, Veniskey claims there is no such thing as a miniature pig. After all, Hammy certainly didn’t stay small, weighing 60–70 pounds by the time he passed away.
Back when Veniskey lived in Corn Hill, she would take Hamilton out to Highland Park, bring a blanket and bask in the sun together. “He was a super snuggler and very clean. He was the smartest animal you could ever imagine—and he was fast. Trying to catch him was one of the funniest things you ever saw.” Despite being fast, Hammy was a loyal friend, who never left the yard when outside and always made people smile.
MADDIE ZELAZNY AND NELLY AND SUDOKU
Like Embry, Maddie Zelazny is an employee and specialist at Exotic Pet Birds. She also has two pets that could not be more different from one another—a sulfur crested cockatoo named Nelly and an axolotl (Mexican walking fish) named Sudoku.
When it comes to Nelly, she says her favorite thing about her is her emotional intelligence and goofiness. Their favorite things to do together are take walks on the beach, play with toys (especially her piano), train, and talk or yell. ”She's very smart and surprises me daily with her antics,” Zelazny says. “She loves spicy chips, even though they’re not good for her she always seems to find where I hide my snacks.”
Those who’ve seen an axolotl may have been entranced by their cute, smiling faces— which is one thing Zelazny loves most about him. “And how big his personality is even though he lives in a fish tank,” she says. “He really likes to float around his tank. He will swim to the top and ‘freefall’ to the bottom of the tank. It's been studied that they do this for entertainment purposes!”
Axolotl are fully aquatic salamanders with the unique ability to regenerate body parts. They require a carefully maintained aquatic environment with specific temperature and water quality conditions--and no other pet fish--but are otherwise easy to care for.
Axolotl
Miniature potbelly
NICOLE ELLER, ALDEN AND SIR BARNEY SLITHERS
Honeoye Falls resident Nicole Eller has always loved reptiles. In fact, she cares for and breeds geckos, including the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, which is native to Madagascar. “A lot of my curiosity with the satanic leaf geckos is that they have a wide range of patterns and colors. I find it interesting to see what kind of babies you get.”
But Eller admits she is not bonded to the geckos in the traditional sense. They get stressed too easily, and she has found their health declines if they’re handled too much. Their ball python Sir Barney Slithers is another story, especially when it comes to her eight-year-old son, Alden, who gave him his fun moniker. “He comes out and hangs around our necks, and we walk him around the yard. My son is bonded to him more. I can see myself in him as a kid,” she says. “He helps feed him. He takes him around and shows him things outside—that’s really adorable.”
THE REAL DEAL BEHIND THE EXOTIC APPEAL
While it can look like fun owning an exotic pet, always do your research. “Exotic pets are fantastic and interesting additions to your family,” Zelazny says. “Most of them do have different special care requirements and can definitely be quirky. They are a big commitment.”
Sir Barney Slithers and eight-year-old Alden
Satanic leaf-tailed gecko
START EARLY, Think Long-Term
TEACHING KIDS THE VALUE OF MONEY
ARTICLE BY ROC CITY LIFESTYLE STAFF
Brian & Dana Mayeu
Photo by Renée Veniskey
According to a study done by annuity. org, 75% of American teens lack confidence in their personal finance knowledge. Couple this with only 22.7% of high school students in the U.S. having guaranteed access to personal finance courses, (Next Gen Personal Finance) and it’s no surprise that many young adults find themselves unprepared for real-world financial decisions. With the average household carrying more than $6,000 in credit card debt, early money lessons can make a world of difference.
To understand how parents can better prepare their children to become financially literate adults, ROC City Lifestyle visited The Mayeu Financial Group in Pittsford. We sat down with Brian Mayeu, President, and Dana Mayeu, Chief Financial Officer, parents of four, who offered thoughtful, practical insights on the importance of teaching kids about money—and how to do it in everyday life.
“Introducing financial concepts at various educational stages is essential for fostering responsible money management in children,” Dana explains. “In elementary school, kids can start by learning about currency, the importance of saving through piggy banks, and distinguishing between needs and wants. As children progress to middle school, they can grasp more complex ideas like budgeting allowances and understanding interest in savings accounts. High school students should be prepared for advanced topics, including detailed budgeting, understanding credit and its effects on financial health, and recognizing the risks associated with borrowing.”
CONTINUED >
The Mayeu Clan
One of the best ways to make money management real is by connecting it to everyday life. According to Dana, “Everyday situations like chores and allowances provide practical opportunities for teaching financial responsibility, including how to live within their means. By assigning monetary value to chores, parents can illustrate the relationship between work and earnings. Providing a regular allowance allows children to experience budgeting firsthand, encouraging them to allocate funds for spending, saving, and donating.”
When it comes to specific habits, she recommends starting with three:
1. Consistent Saving – “Encourage children and teens to regularly set aside a portion of their income.”
2. Budgeting and Planning – “Teach them how to create and adhere to a budget.”
debt pitfalls using examples like student loans. Encourage budgeting, living within means, and distinguishing needs from wants.”
Their core message is clear: “A vital financial lesson for every child is: ‘Live below your means and prioritize saving and investing.’ This encourages spending less than they earn, fostering financial security, emergency preparedness, and goal achievement.”
“Teaching kids about credit and debt is crucial for preparing them for adult financial planning.”
3. Goal Setting –“Encourage them to set both short-term and long-term financial goals.”
Crucially, Brian emphasizes early education around credit and debt. “Teaching kids about credit and debt is crucial for preparing them for adult financial planning,” he says. “Begin these lessons in late middle school or early high school by using relatable examples like buying a bike to explain credit. Introduce credit cards and stress the importance of paying off balances monthly to avoid high-interest debt. Highlight the impact of credit scores on borrowing and discuss possible
As both financial professionals and parents, the Mayeus speak from experience.
“We started with simple lessons, like identifying coins and bills, and introduced saving early by giving them piggy banks. In middle school, we explored more complex ideas and even initiated investment accounts, guiding them on investment decisions. These experiences have not only equipped them with financial skills but also sparked excitement and critical thinking.”
Whether it's learning to save allowance money or understanding the value of budgeting, the experts at The Mayeu Financial Group make it clear: financial education starts at home— and it starts now. With small steps and open conversations, parents can raise kids who are not only money-smart, but money-confident. The takeaway? Start early, keep it practical, and make money conversations a regular part of growing up.
realty report
Class of 2025 Tails
A Whimsical Look at the Graduating Dogs of Paws & Claws Pet Care
For this issue of ROC City Lifestyle with half of its theme focused on pets, we went to Paws and Claws Pet Care on Linden Park in Rochester, where wagging tails, playful zoomies, and the occasional sideeye made for a highly entertaining visit. But this time, instead of just observing the daily hustle of fetch, naps, and treat breaks, we asked ourselves one burning question:
What if Paws and Claws had a canine yearbook?
Imagine a glossy spread titled “The Class of 2025: Most Likely To…” — where every pup is immortalized in fur-tastic glory. Of course, the superlatives wouldn’t be your standard “Best Smile” or “Most Athletic” (though there’d be plenty of contenders). No, the real fun starts when you mix in a little adult humor and pet personality. It’s all in good fun— but anyone who’s met these pets knows: behind the laughs are real personalities, big hearts, and a daycare full of furry friends who truly are most likely to steal yours.
Our overall favorite, resulting in his photo on this month’s cover, is Boomerang, voted Best Head Tilt. That simple, genuine motion has endless possibilities of meaning:
"Did you just say walk or work ? Because I’m only interested in one of those."
"Are you seriously eating the last of the Grasshopper Pie ice cream from Pittsford Dairy... without a spoon for me?"
"I heard the treat bag rustle— don’t lie to me, Bethany."
"You’re watching another dog on TikTok again. Should I be worried?"
"Did you just tell the vet I 'need to lose a few pounds'? The audacity."
"Just to clarify, I fetch the ball and you get the glory on Instagram?"
"You vacuumed. Without warning. Are we even friends ?"
The Paws & Claws Pet Yearbook is packed with personality, fluff, and more drama than a reality show set at a dog park. What follows are just a few of this year's unforgettable grads
With endless opinions, Poppy is Most Likely to Start a Podcast
“Just to clarify, I fetch the ball and you get the glory on Instagram?”
Be
Jackson- Most likely to steal your thunder on Zoom calls.
Walter- Most Likely to Get Out of Trouble With a Single Grin
Most Likely to
Found at Happy Hour- Freya, who greets every human like a long lost soulmate.
Russell- Class Clown who somehow photobombs every pic.
Best Bromance- Frankie & Charlie- one distracts you while the other steals the treats.
FROM SHOP CLASS TO SMART TECH
Career options for teens today are broader and more dynamic than they were 25 years ago. Then, students often pursued traditional paths—medicine, teaching, law or skilled trades—and a four-year degree was considered essential to success.
Now, technology has opened doors to high-demand jobs that don’t necessitate a college degree but do require a blend of communication, analytical and technical skills. At Monroe Community College’s Downtown Campus, the Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center offers Industry 4.0 training to prepare students for careers in fields, such as robotics, cybersecurity and automation—in as few as three to six months.
(Industry 4.0 is the modern evolution of manufacturing, where smart technology like artificial intelligence, robotics and connected devices work together to automate processes and make real-time decisions.)
“If you can learn to play video games or use a smartphone, you can learn to operate a robot or 3D printer,” says Willis Major, FWD Center manager and longtime engineer. Entry-level roles can pay $20 to $30 per hour, with the potential for overtime and long-term salaries up to $90,000.
Willis Major, manager of advanced manufacturing at the Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center at Monroe Community College’s Downtown Campus
Major, who grew up in Rochester and worked at General Motors Company and Tesla Inc., credits much of his success to on-the-job learning. “I still had to train on the same types of Industry 4.0 technologies that the FWD Center now offers,” he says. “Honestly, this material is easier to learn than the science and math you take in high school.”
The Center’s hands-on, visual approach is geared toward learners who thrive by doing. Through programs like the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), students can earn stackable credentials to prove skills to employers. Other certifications cover everything from programmable logic controllers to AI and semiconductor equipment.
The payoff can be significant. Operator training takes just a few months, with full-time positions
starting at around $40,000 annually. Technician roles, which take a little longer, start at $60,000 and can climb with experience. “Many positions also offer overtime, which could add another $10,000 to $40,000 a year,” Major notes.
With the New York SMART I-Corridor recently named a Tech Hub, the demand for skilled workers in advanced manufacturing is expected to soar—especially in the semiconductor sector. Local companies like L3Harris Technologies Inc., Bausch + Lomb and Eastman Kodak Co. already seek workers with Industry 4.0 skills, Major says.
“Employers today want more than just tech knowledge,” he adds. “They’re looking for communication, critical thinking and the ability to adapt. That’s what will set students apart.”
2025
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 14TH
Lollypop Farm Community Pet Care Event
Lollypop Farm- 99 Victor Rd., Fairport | 10:00 AM
This free event offers dog vaccinations, pet food, supplies, and expert advice from behavior specialists. Vaccine lines may close early depending on demand, so early arrival is recommended.
AUGUST 15TH
ZooBrew
Seneca Park Zoo- 2222 St. Paul St., Rochester | 5:30 PM
A 21+ evening featuring local craft beverages, live music, and animal experiences in a relaxed, after-hours zoo setting. Proceeds benefit the zoo’s conservation and education programs.
AUGUST 24TH
Rochester VegFest 2025
Parcel 5 - 285 East Main Street, Rochester | 10:00 AM
A free, outdoor celebration of plantbased living with food, speakers, local vendors, and kids’ activities. Enjoy live music, movement sessions, and community connection, rain or shine.
“I wanted her first piece to be real—something she’ll always remember wearing.”
Because she’s not too little for her first heirloom.
From dainty ruby studs to whimsical enamel charms, our petite fine jewelry collection is crafted with genuine gemstones, soft shapes, and sentimental sparkle—perfect for birthdays, baptisms, flower girls, and just-because days. Every piece is curated with care by Rochester’s most trusted family jeweler. Designed to grow with her. Made to last a lifetime.
Real gemstones & precious metals
Matching “Mom & Me” styles available
Custom designs upon request
Visit us in Henrietta or explore the collection online
