Entertaining Kiddos and Doggos and the Laughter It Brings
Welcome to the Kids and Pets Issue.
As a professional photographer for over 15 years, I have shot my fair amount of kiddos and doggos. Jokingly, I would refer to myself as a 'dancing monkey' to parents, as my title and explanation for keeping kids and dogs entertained long enough to capture some really great photos. (If you know anything about kids and dogs, attention spans can be pretty low.)
But amidst the chaos, one of my favorite things often happens: laughter. Kids and dogs are always making me laugh…often at inappropriate times, but much more often, at exactly the most needed times. The laughter is what not only creates a great experience, but also a great memory among the chaos. Kids and pets alike often need to be entertained, have new experiences, learn and grow from all life brings.
Inside this issue, you'll take a turn at bat with the Royal Oak legacy that is the Royal Oak Sandlot League. Kyle VanDeventer walks us through the history of the league — and the transformations it's undergone for both boys and girls.
You'll read about a Royal Oak institution, Stagecrafters. Sara Carolin takes us backstage, with an inside look into the history of the theatre as the troupe puts on their latest full-stage production by kids, Beetlejuice Jr. You'll learn the moving and inspirational adoption story of locals Shawn and Cher Jay Heath-Lee, owners of Coffee & Bark, where the community gathers for love of coffee and dogs. And finally, you'll meet Becky Lea, the force of nature behind Paws Around Motown. Becky's passion for dogs led her to create some of the best local experiences for our four-legged friends (if you don't know what a sniffari is, you'll definitely want to read on).
Here's to giving kiddos and doggos the best experiences for their growth and our joyful laughter along the way,
AMY GILLESPIE, PUBLISHER
@ROYALOAKCITYLIFESTYLE
August 2025
PUBLISHER
Amy Gillespie | amy.gillespie@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Marshall Zweig | marshall.zweig@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Marshall Zweig
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Amy Gillespie
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Liemkuhler
Proverbs 3:5-6
Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
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, we’d love an introduction.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Emma Davis teaching kids the basics of fly fishing at Orvis’s kids’ fly fishing class. 2: Jason Davis, Orvis store manager, and his daughter Emma teaching how to tie a lure. 3: Jason and Emma teach kids how to cast a fly fishing line. 4: Scrubbers employee just adopted this good boy at the Scrubbers adoption event. 5: Puppy up for adoption at Scrubbers adoption event. 6: Scrubbers employees holding a puppy that is up for adoption. 7: Local resident holding a puppy that is up for adoption.
AMY GILLESPIE AMY GILLESPIE
AMY GILLESPIE
business monthly
ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
The Fourth Tri Sanctuary
A soft landing into motherhood. An in-person space for mama and baby to spend time bonding 0-12 months. From showers to lactation experts, you can get your questions answered and needs met in one space. Seamless access to all the perinatal care and support you need—coordinated under one roof. Located in Ferndale MI. For more information call 248.581.4265
Shop Kiddos: Rail and Anchor
Looking for nursery items, toys & activities, linens, books, or children's decor items? Rail and Anchor has kiddos of all ages covered. You will discover some of the most unique and fun items that every home should have and every child will embrace. Rail and Anchor is a modern-day general store, curating quality goods that make you and your kiddos smile. Located on Washington Ave. in the heart of downtown.
Scrubbers: Self Serve and Professional Grooming Services
Scrubbers Self-Serve Dog Wash & Grooming is a state-of-the-art professional grooming facility designed for EVERY pet owner. You can do-it-yourself or we offer professional all-breed dog and cat grooming services in a clean, calm, and caring environment. Either way, your pet is happy and healthy because they receive the one-on-one personal attention they deserve! Located on Webster East off Woodward.
the CITY LIST
We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.
Kids’ Activity
Michigan Outdoor Adventure Center michigan.gov/oac | 844.622.6367
The Detroit School of Rock and Pop detroitschoolofrockandpop.com | 888.988.7625
Atelier School of Art atelierschoolofart.com | 248.951.4400
Michigan Science Center mi-sci.org | 313.577.8400
The Salvation Army centralusa.salvationarmy.org/royaloak | 248.585.5600
Pet Shop
Scrubbers Dog Wash scrubbersdogwash.com/royal-oak-dog-groomers | 248.584.3647
The Pet Beastro thepetbeastro.com | 877.434.3436
Doggy Do Good doggydogood.com | 248.955.3129
Want to suggest a monthly pick?
Maestros Dog House maestrosdoghaus.com | 248.632.1199
Jewels Pet Cuisine jewelspetcuisine.com | 248.629.5959
A LEGEND REBUILT
The Royal Oak Sandlot League Is rewriting the playbook on youth sports
ARTICLE BY MARSHALL ZWEIG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY GILLESPIE
I can feel something electric as Kyle VanDeventer starts to speak about the Royal Oak Sandlot League. And I can almost smell the fresh-cut grass, and hear the familiar chorus of kids yelling across the diamond. All my senses are telling me that, across the parks and fields of Royal Oak, something special is being rebuilt.
The venerable Royal Oak Sandlot League—a nonprofit, all-volunteer youth baseball and softball league—has been around since 1959. But as Kyle describes the league, it doesn’t feel like a dusty old institution. It feels alive.
Kyle, a longtime board member and one of the key voices behind the league’s recent transformation, didn’t grow up dreaming of baseball diamonds. Football was his sport. But life has a way of making you pinch-hit when you least expect it—and in Kyle’s case, his at-bat came with a T-ball schedule.
“I got involved because I was frustrated,” he laughs. “I was that parent who complained—and they said, ‘Well then come help.’ And here I am, five years later.”
In those five years, Kyle and the rest of the league’s board have helped breathe new life into the Royal Oak Sandlot League—turning it into something a kid might dream up after watching The Sandlot and chugging a Capri Sun.
FROM STALE TO ELECTRIC
In recent years, the league had started to fade. “It needed a reset,” Kyle says plainly. So the new board treated it like a business—with heart. They rebranded. Launched social media. Created clean logos, modern merch, and touchpoints kids could get excited about—like walk-up songs, sticker rewards, and tournament rings for even the youngest players. “We wanted it to feel big-time for the kids,” Kyle explains.
He describes the transformation like a game without rules: “When we stepped in, there were no instructions. No process. No playbook.” So the board wrote one. Line by line. Sponsorships, umpire scheduling, registration workflows—nothing was too small to fix. And everything was built with the future in mind.
Now the league’s thriving.
OAK SANDLOT LEAGUE] NEEDED A RESET…
“[THE ROYAL
WE WANTED IT TO FEEL BIG-TIME FOR THE KIDS.”
ALL ARE WELCOME HERE
If there’s one thread running through every decision Kyle and the ROSL board have made, it’s inclusion.
“Everybody plays,” Kyle says. And they mean it. “We’ll work with your schedule. We’ll work with your budget. If your kid wants to play, they belong here.”
That’s the kind of philosophy that turns a game into a community. The league is for everyone: the kids who’ve never swung a bat, the goofy ones, the shy ones. Every
child gets their turn at the plate and in the field. “We want them to feel successful, no matter their skill level,” Kyle adds.
So life may not always be fair, but this league sure is.
A LIVING LEGACY
Though the league’s revitalized, it still honors its roots. There’s a corner of Memorial Park, the beacon of Royal Oak baseball, named after beloved Sandlot League coach Terry Farllo. Opening Day is a holiday in its own right. And on movie night, when the team plays The Sandlot on a big screen and the kids curl up on blankets with popcorn and juice boxes, something magical happens. “That’s the kind of thing we want to keep growing,” Kyle says.
And growing it is. The league is now in conversation with other local sports organizations to build a seamless seasonal schedule—so kids can try multiple sports without burning out or missing out. Kyle calls it “the ultimate youth sports calendar,” but I get the feeling what they’re really building is a city-wide village.
WHAT YOU’LL HEAR ON A GAME DAY
I’ve never been to a game (yet), so Kyle paints the picture: “It’s chaos in the best way. You’ve got baseball and soccer happening across different parks. Music playing. Kids choosing their own walk-up songs. Families cheering. It’s alive.”
And in that aliveness, something else blooms. Confidence. Teamwork. Belonging. The kind of things you don’t always know you’re learning until you’ve grown.
LEGENDS NEVER DIE
So what would the kids say if you handed them the mic?
“They’d probably say it’s fun,” Kyle smiles. “But I think they’d also say they feel like part of something. That they matter.”
And more than the wins, the stickers, or even the rings—isn’t that the whole point?
There’s a line in The Sandlot I never forgot: “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” If that’s true, then what’s happening in Royal Oak isn’t just a comeback. It’s a legend being passed on—one ring, one walk-up song, one joyful swing at a time.
For more info, or to be a part of the league, visit royaloaksandlot.com
RAISED BY the stage
THE LEGENDARY STAGECRAFTERS THEATRE WEAVES GENERATIONS TOGETHER, ONSTAGE AND OFF
ARTICLE BY MARSHALL ZWEIG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BUREAU DETROIT AND AMY GILLESPIE
If you’ve ever watched a child step into a spotlight and somehow find themselves, then you already understand what makes Stagecrafters magical.
This all-volunteer community theater in downtown Royal Oak has been home to generations of families. Under the Stagecrafters umbrella, there’s a place for everyone—whether it’s kids finding confidence and teens discovering their voice through Stagecrafters Youth Theatre (SYT), audiences enjoying blockbuster musicals on the Main Stage, or actors exploring more intimate productions on Second Stage. In the wings, behind the curtain, and under the lights, it’s not just plays that get built—it’s people.
FULL CIRCLE, STITCHED IN FABRIC
Take the story of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. When Stagecrafters last produced the show in 1999, Joseph was played by Brad Ellison, and the now-beloved Dreamcoat was designed and constructed by longtime Stagecrafter Dolly Scheibelhut.
Dolly, a brilliant costumer, was also a mentor: as a Youth Theatre volunteer, she was a guiding hand for countless young artists behind the scenes. One of those young artists was Brittany (Wilson) Lepior, who—at just 16—became the youngest head costumer for an SYT production.
This summer, Brittany returned to Stagecrafters to design and create a new Dreamcoat for the current production, honoring both the director’s vision and Dolly’s legacy.
And yes, the original coat still exists. Even more remarkable? It still fits Brad. During each performance, Dolly’s original Dreamcoat will be on display—a symbol both of artistry and of the way Stagecrafters weaves generations together.
A COMMUNITY THAT RAISES YOU
Hope Carmona was eight when she did her first show with SYT. Now one of the older kids, she says she tries to welcome new faces the way older cast members once welcomed her. “The productions here are seriously next-level,” she says. “Everyone truly cares about their work and each other.”
Inclusivity and mentorship are baked into every corner of SYT. “From the very beginning,” says committee member Barbara Keteyian, “we’ve emphasized that kids don’t just perform here—they lead. We’ve had student directors, student tech leads, and 8-year-olds running set changes like pros.”
And it pays off. Some Stagecrafters alumni go on to Broadway (like Yana Perrault, who played Peggy Schuyler in Hamilton). Others find their way into Juilliard or regional theater. But for many, the value lives in the quieter wins: learning to speak up, collaborate, create, and persevere.
KIDS WHO COME BACK
I was a kid,” she says. “Especially for the tech kids—the ones who don’t want to be on stage but still want to belong.”
Coleen remembers one moment that still gives her chills: “Sophie Lavellee singing Let It Go as Elsa. I still watch the video. She brought the house down.”
KIDS WHO LEAD
Then there’s Oliver Surhigh, a recent SYT scholarship winner who plans to study engineering at the University of Michigan, minor in music, and someday return to music-direct a Stagecrafters show. Their advice to younger kids?
“The productions [at Stagecrafters] are seriously next-level. Everyone truly cares about their work and each other.”
— Hope Carmona
Board member Theresa Williams was once a shy kid backstage, helping Peter Pan fly. Now she’s directing The Phantom Tollbooth —a show she once worked on as a child. “It’s a full-circle moment,” she says. “To pass on the same experience that helped me come out of my shell.”
She’s not the only one. Coleen Genette grew up performing in shows like Narnia and Oliver and now mentors the next generation. “I try to be the kind of adult I needed when
“Don’t take getting a small role—or no role—as a reflection of your talent,” Oliver says. “Every show teaches you something. And sometimes, the ensemble ends up being your favorite experience.”
Oliver once played Chip in Beauty and the Beast Jr. and later performed in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, gaining enough confidence to explain the play to their English class. They credit Stagecrafters with giving them not just a stage, but a voice—and a reason to keep showing up.
THE MAGIC OFF STAGE
Theater magic isn’t limited to the performance. Stagecrafters creates community, in ways you don’t always see. “Two best friends, Brendan and Matt, met here at age 10,” Theresa recalls. “They went to different schools, but became inseparable through SYT. I still
tear up thinking of them hugging during curtain call at Honk! They’re still best friends, almost a decade later.”
Even the building itself—restored from the old Washington Theater by a group of volunteers who remain deeply involved today— holds stories. Upstairs, there's an archive room filled with every playbill, note, and photo—a memory box of community devotion. One couple who helped found Stagecrafters even got married on the stage.
A PLACE TO RETURN TO
In every show, in every coat, in every kid who says, “I feel seen here,” there’s proof that Stagecrafters is more than a theater. It’s a second home.
“It’s not perfect,” says Coleen. “But we come back because it’s ours. And because we know what it did for us, we want to make sure it keeps doing that for someone else.”
That’s what legacy really is: not just the stories you tell, but the stage you help build for someone else to stand on.
Want your child to experience the magic? Visit stagecrafters.org
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HOW LOVE, COFFEE AND DOGS BUILT A COMMUNITY OF BELONGING
The Power of ‘Yes’
ARTICLE BY MARSHALL ZWEIG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY GILLESPIE
“Coffee makes people happy. Dogs make people happy. Put them together? You’re twice as happy.”
The phone rang on New Year’s Eve.
“Is today a good day to be a dad?”
Shawn and Cher Jay Heath-Lee didn’t hesitate. They said yes.
That yes changed everything—just like every yes before it, and every yes that would follow. Yes to love. Yes to parenting. Yes to dogs, to community, to creating something that didn’t yet exist but deeply needed to: a space where people could feel warmth, comfort, and belonging.
Today, they’re the proud owners of Coffee & Bark in Berkley, Michigan—a joyful, dog-friendly café where coffee, connection, and compassion come together. But it all started with that phone call.
Shawn and Cher Jay have been a couple for 22 years, and married for eight of them. Five years ago, they began their adoption journey. After choosing an agency in Southfield that aligned with their values, they started the long process: fingerprinting, home studies, waiting.
Two years passed. Then came the call.
“We were nervous, stunned, totally unprepared,” Cher Jay recalls. “But we said yes.”
They had been matched.
Their son Aiden was born prematurely on January 2. While he was in the NICU, Shawn and Cher Jay showed up—every day, every night. They took shifts for 14 straight days, one arriving in the morning, the other staying into the evening.
“We camped out. Even if he was sleeping, we were there,” Cher Jay says. “I worked from the hospital, took meetings in conference rooms. We wanted him to feel it—that we were there, that he wasn’t alone.”
When the day came to bring him home, excitement gave way to new-parent nerves.
“I remember thinking, ‘Do we take him out of the car seat? Do we leave him in it? What do we do?’” Shawn says.
“We just looked at each other like, ‘Okay. This is real,’” Cher Jay adds.
Today, Aiden is three—bright, curious, and funny. The kind of kid who keeps his dads laughing and on their toes.
“He’s great at math—at three!” Cher Jay laughs. “He throws out math problems, and I’m like, ‘Is that right?’ And…it is.”
Now, they’re in the waiting process again, ready to welcome a second child—this time with hard-earned wisdom and softer shoulders.
“I was paranoid the first time—I didn’t sleep,” Shawn says. “My eyes were so dry I had to go to the eye doctor. He said, ‘Your problem is you need to close them.’ But I’ve learned to relax.”
Somewhere in that same season of life, another yes was taking shape.
Shawn had spent two decades in the coffee world, working his way up from barista to regional trainer. Cher Jay brought years of experience in marketing and branding. Together, they dreamed of building something intentional—something that felt like a third home. A place filled with meaning, joy, and heart.
That dream became Coffee & Bark.
“We were intentional about everything,” Cher Jay says. “Every little thing has a purpose.”
That includes The Q and The Zo —their private office and coworking spaces named after their beloved dogs, Q-Tip and Zoey.
Q-Tip, Cher Jay’s pick, was a neat, hypoallergenic lapdog. Zoey, Shawn’s choice, was a massive, furry Saint Bernard with an even bigger heart.
“I’ve always loved dogs—I just didn’t know much about different breeds,” Cher Jay admits. “I had no idea what came with a Saint Bernard. But I learned fast how much they shed… and drool. Still, her love and energy filled every room. And quickly, she filled my heart, too.”
When both dogs passed, within a year of Aiden’s birth, the grief was heavy. But their presence never left. Their legacy lives in, both in framed photos on the wall, and in the naming of the spaces in their shop.
“We wanted to honor Q-Tip and Zoey in a real way,” Cher Jay says. “By making them part of the space, they’re always here. I never want them to be forgotten.”
The shop’s most unique feature might be the BarkEasy—Michigan’s first fully indoor, dog-friendly café zone within a traditional coffee shop. Bringing the vision to life took seven months of thoughtful planning and collaboration with the health department to ensure everything met the highest standards of safety and sanitation.
The result? A cozy, clean, carefully sectioned space where guests can enjoy lattes while their dogs nap at their feet—without compromising food safety or sanitation.
Inspired by the idea of a speakeasy, the BarkEasy features its own private entrance through the back, offering a tucked-away experience for dog lovers. It includes its own restroom, complimentary waste bags, and built-in carabiners along the wall so guests can easily secure their pup’s leash while they sip and stay. Every detail was designed to make the space as welcoming, functional, and comfortable as possible, for both dogs and their humans.
Coffee & Bark has grown into much more than a café. It’s a coworking hub, an event space, a gathering place. And it’s become known for its creative drink menu, too.
“We wanted to create signature drinks you won’t find anywhere else,” Shawn says.
One standout? The Dreamy Bean , a lavender and vanilla latte topped with lemon cold foam. It’s now their second-best seller.
“People DM us and say, ‘I don’t know what this is, but it changed my whole day,’” Cher Jay says.
Customers have come from as far as Grand Rapids and even New York, just to visit the little café in Berkley where dogs are welcome and people smile.
“Coffee makes people happy. Dogs make people happy. Put them together? You’re twice as happy,” Shawn says.
“We knew people needed more than coffee,” Shawn adds. “They needed comfort.”
They’ve seen it happen: guests walk in carrying the weight of the day. Then their dog settles, their drink arrives, and something softens.
“I think it’s the vibe we’ve created: a cozy, inclusive space for all to enjoy. Individuals, students, families, entrepreneurs,” Cher Jay says. “People walk in, see the space, appreciate the offerings, experience the service, our authenticity, the flavors—everything. And they just go, ‘Oh.’ Like they exhale.”
“There’s something about being able to sit with a dog and a warm drink,” Shawn adds. “It slows everything down.”
At the time of this writing, Shawn and Cher Jay are preparing to open their second location in Hazel Park— while parenting a toddler, preparing for another child, and still saying yes.
Because saying yes—again and again—is what made all of this possible.
“If you told us five years ago this would be our life, I don’t think we would’ve believed you,” Shawn reflects. “But now? It feels exactly right.”
Coffee & Bark is located at 2733 Coolidge in Berkley. For more information, visit coffeeandbarkmi.com
ARTICLE BY MARSHALL ZWEIG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY GILLESPIE
LOVE. TRUST. CPR.
PAWS AROUND MOTOWN IS CONCIERGE PET CARE THAT’S PART FAMILY, PART VILLAGE, AND ALL HEART
When Becky Lea describes her company, it doesn’t sound like work. It sounds like a calling.
“We consider our clients family,” she says. And in her case, that family includes hundreds of families and pets—of all kinds.
“Bunnies, reptiles…I’ve even taken care of beetles!” she smiles.
Becky is the founder of Paws Around Motown, a concierge-style pet care company based in Oakland County. They offer every service for pets you can imagine, from enrichment-based walks and adventure hikes to pet taxis, overnight stays, and CPR-certified training. It’s an empire of compassion, built on force-free care—no fear-based training. Instead, everything from their onboarding process to their pet taxi pickups is based on reading body language and fostering trust.
And because Becky spent years as a professional nanny, her approach bridges pet care and parenting—equipping entire families to feel confident, safe, and connected.
“I want to be everything for people and their pets, outside of veterinary care,” Becky explains. And she means it. Her staff
“We take care of a lot of dogs that would be classified as having behavioral issues—but really, it’s just anxiety from past trauma. Just like humans.”
undergoes an internal 10-module safety course, in addition to required certifications in pet CPR, first aid, and animal body language. “Even guinea pigs have body language,” Becky adds.
The company began with a leap of faith. After years in retail management, Becky was coming home from work in tears. Her husband asked her what made her happiest, and she realized the answer wasn’t behind a cash register. It was walking dogs at adoption events, and decompressing rescue animals who’d been through trauma.
She quit her job, became a nanny, and started Paws Around Motown.
One of her first clients was a deeply anxious rescue named Lily. “Outside of my own pets, she was like my soulmate,” Becky says. That bond awakened something bigger: a desire to learn everything about animals. She got certified as a dog trainer. Then she became a pet CPR instructor. Then she trained her entire staff.
Many pets need more than just a walk; they need stimulation and emotional reset. “We created a service called a sniffari,” Becky explains. “One staffer sets up a scent trail in the park. Another brings the dog. It’s a way to reset anxious dogs. We take care of a lot of dogs that would be classified as having behavioral issues—but really, it’s just anxiety from past trauma,” she adds. “Just like humans.”
Becky’s also mindful of breeds that require more mental and physical challenge. “A lot of people get working breeds and don’t realize how much exercise and mind work they need. That’s why we created our two-hour adventure hikes.”
She recalls three instances where CPR training directly saved a pet’s life. One involved a small dog, a huge piece of bread, and a sound she’d never heard before. The dog couldn’t breathe. Becky performed compressions—and the bread popped out.
“We hope we never have to use CPR,” she says, “but if we do, we know what to do.”
Most day-to-day pet emergencies involve first aid: allergic reactions, overheating, or collar accidents. Her staff carries liquid Benadryl with a safety pin taped to it, ready to squirt into a pet’s mouth if needed. They’re trained to remove collars before crating a dog to prevent dangerous collar entanglements.
And when asked what most pet parents don’t realize, Becky doesn’t hesitate: “Most households don’t have a pet first aid kit.” Becky teaches her team how to improvise a splint with a rolled-up magazine and gauze, but she’d rather pet parents have the basics. “Rolled gauze, pads, a few popsicle sticks, liquid Benadryl—it’s not expensive, but it matters.” Becky says with a kit full of basics, pet families can, as she calls it, “Mutt-guyver” most first-aid situations.
Much of what Becky brings to her pet clients’ experiences is mothering energy. “I couldn’t be
a birth mom,” Becky says, “but I can be a mom in other ways. I mother my clients, their dogs, my team—it’s all connected.”
That mothering energy may be why pets respond to Becky—and why her clients’ trust runs so deep. “Some clients have willed their pets to us if anything happens to them,” Becky shares. “I’m honored by anyone’s trust, because they’re giving us two of the most important things in their life: their home and their pet.”
As unique as Becky’s pet-care portfolio is, the most striking part of Paws Around Motown might be the way Becky connects her pet care philosophy to children. As a former nanny, she sees the overlap clearly. Crates are like cribs. Markers are like toddler praise. Puppies, like toddlers, don’t have rational thought—they need patience and repetition.
Becky often trains entire families together, modifying the process so kids can participate without burnout. “If you want that dog to respect your child, not just you, it’s going to take time,” she says. “Shorter sessions, one command at a time.”
As successful as Paws Around Motown is, it’s not about the money for Becky. She donates part of her profits to rescues and organizes seasonal donation drives. Her team recently assembled and delivered adoption kits with treats, brochures, and free training coupons. They’re also launching an annual Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Walk, open to anyone who’s lost a pet.
Becky’s next dream? To host hands-on workshops for kids on pet safety, training, and care, “like little stations in a gym,” she says. “How to walk a dog, how to scoop a litter box, how to meet a pet you’ve never seen.”
She’s already practiced for it. One of her clients once asked Becky to help acclimate a rescue dog with reactivity to her severely disabled brother, who was staying with her for the holidays. Over the next several weeks, they practiced different approaches—people coming in, people sitting down—until the dog grew more confident.
“The day he came to visit, the dog greeted him perfectly,” Becky remembers. “No reactivity. It was like the dog just knew. The family wrote me a letter afterward. I still have it.”
That’s what her business is really about: not just dog walking, but weaving pets and people into a life of shared calm, mutual respect, and unconditional love. In other words, love, trust, CPR…and a little TLC for the occasional beetle too.
To speak with Becky and her team about your pet needs, visit pawsaroundmotown.com
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 2ND
Fly Fishing 101 at Orvis Royal Oak
Orvis Royal Oak - 29500 Woodward Avenue Royal Oak, MI 48073 | 9:00 AM
If you're looking for an exciting, easy, inexpensive way to get outdoors, our FF101 class is the perfect place to start. Fly fishing is a sport everyone can enjoy, and all ages are welcome to attend. (Under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.) Our classes are free and all equipment is provided. Go to: stores.orvis.com/us/michigan/royal-oak for more information.
AUGUST 2ND
Find Waldo Local 2025 Party
The Caboose - 220 W. Fourth Street Royal Oak, MI 48067 USA | 11:00 AM
Join us at Caboose as we celebrate a month of local fun and community spirit! Whether you found Waldo in every shop, or just joined in for the adventure, this free, all-ages event is a chance to gather, enjoy some surprises, and wrap up the summer search with a cheerful send-off. Costumes encouraged and good vibes guaranteed!
AUGUST 2ND
DIA Drop In Workshops
Detroit Institute of Arts - 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202 | 11:00 AM
Looking for some ideas for the kids during the summer? The DIA offers several kinds of drop-in workshops that are kid and family friendly. Sessions include Drawing with Scissors, How to Make Rod Puppets or Gallery Drawing. Workshops run throughout the month of August—choose from a variety of days and times. For more information visit: dia.org/events
AUGUST 16TH
Pirates and Pups
Michigan Renaissance Festival - 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly, MI 48442 | 9:00 AM
Hoist the sails and wag those tails! Join us August 16th and 17th for a swashbuckling adventure as pirates and pups come together for a weekend of dog-friendly fun. Enter themed contests and let your furry first mate join in the high seas revelry. It's a weekend where salty sea dogs meet playful pups! For more information, call 248-634-5552.
AUGUST 23RD
Doggie Pool Paw-ty
Grand Circus Park - 101-157 Witherell Street, Detroit, MI 48226 | 2:00 PM
Beat the heat and treat your pup to a splashing good time! Your furry friends can cool off in dog-friendly pools, romp with fellow pups and enjoy treats and giveaways made just for them. There will also be music, games and plenty of fun for dog parents, too. Don’t miss this tail-wagging summer celebration in the heart of the city!
AUGUST 27TH
Paws and Play
Red Oaks Dog Park - 31353 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071 | 12:00 PM
Enjoy free fun for dogs and dog owners during Paws & Play at Red Oaks Dog Park. The event will include activities, cooling stations and crafts, as well as giveaways and information tables. Local vendors will be on site. Dogs must be licensed and on a 6-foot leash outside of the dog park. For more information, call 248-858-0916.
Invest in Peace of Mind: Protection for Every Stage of Life
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA DEGREGORY
In today’s unpredictable world, preparing for the unexpected is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. Whether you're a new parent, a grandparent, or simply someone who wants to safeguard their financial well-being, having the right insurance in place provides more than just protection—it creates a lasting foundation of security. Here are three powerful products that can make a lasting difference:
ACCIDENTWISE & HOSPITALWISE: WHEN LIFE TAKES AN UNEXPECTED TURN
Whether you’re injured at home, at work, or out and about, AccidentWise provides cash benefits that help cover medical expenses or lost income. HospitalWise complements this by paying you directly if you’re hospitalized due to illness or injury. These plans offer a vital safety net, giving you one less thing to worry about when life throws you a curveball.
MEET CHRISTINA DEGREGORY
SECUREPROMISE: A GIFT THAT GROWS WITH YOUR CHILD
Designed for children ages 0–18, this whole life insurance policy is more than just coverage—it’s a lifelong investment. With SecurePromise, the face amount of the policy automatically doubles at age 18. Over time, the policy builds cash value that can be accessed later in life, making it a powerful financial tool for college, buying a first home, or even retirement. It’s a perfect gift for those looking to provide lasting financial security for their little one’s future.
CRITICALGUARD: SUPPORT WHEN IT MATTERS MOST
A sudden diagnosis of cancer, a stroke, or a heart attack can turn your life upside down—not just physically and emotionally, but financially too. CriticalGuard is designed to pay you a lump sum upon diagnosis of a covered critical illness, so you can focus on recovery instead of bills. Whether it’s used for treatment, travel, or household expenses, the money is yours to use however you need.
A local insurance agent who believes in building genuine relationships and providing honest, customized solutions for every client. With a background in biological sciences and a passion for helping people, she brings a personal and approachable touch to the world of health and life insurance. (586) 883-1955 | cdegregory@HealthMarkets.com | HealthMarkets.com/cdegregory
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From hair salons to restaurants, we help entrepreneurs build more than just businesses; we help build legacies.
We believe the heart of Royal Oak beats strongest in its small businesses; the dreamers, the doers, the risk-takers who make this city vibrant and unique. Whether it’s a family turning a long-time hobby into a storefront, or a seasoned entrepreneur opening their next big venture, we’re proud to be the partner behind the scenes; offering guidance, financial support, and real relationships that last long after closing day.
This is more than banking. It’s believing in what’s possible and helping it grow.
32500 Woodward Ave. Royal Oak (248) 833-6160