PETS
A PESKY OR NOISY
DOG WOULDN’T WIN FRESH TRADE, BUT HAVING A
SHOP PET MAKES FOR AN EASY USP
Top to bottom: Chloe Harrison Temple at Blue Woman & Home describes her Frenchie as the heart of the shop; Michael Parsons at Gold & Platinum Studio with his friendly lurchers Woody and Phoebe
She also likes to chuck her ball into really impractical places, like under the stairs, so you have to get on your hands and knees to find it. “She knows how to work the room for sure,” Emma adds. “It’s all about her, all the time. If anyone sits in her chair, she is straight on their laps staring at them awkwardly until they move. It’s embarrassing for us, but she makes a lot of people laugh. “We’re lucky that we can bring a dog to work. I’ve had many jobs that would have been improved by a pet. It does help to relieve stress and reminds you not to take life so seriously.” Charlie’s proudest moment: She and Emma came third in a ‘dog most like its owner’ competition at Bowood Dog Show. www.graceandted.co.uk
BLUE WOMAN & HOME
Chloe Harrison Temple, managing director at the homeware and fashion store on Bartlett Street, has her French Bulldog, Suki, in tow most days If you’ve been into Blue Woman & Home at The Loft, you’ll have spotted Suki the Frenchie sitting on the desk behind the cash register, getting the best view of the customers she can. “Suki is the heart of our shop,” says Chloe. “She
adds to the warm, happy environment here and she has regular visitors who, in turn, have become customers and friends. Having Suki forces me walk every morning before work and sets me up for the day, she also comes to the pub after work from time to time, so she’s very outgoing. “Most importantly, she is rarely on her own, so we think she’s a very happy dog. They are social creatures and I wouldn’t have one if my work didn’t allow for it.” Did you know: Suki will be hosting a kissing booth next Valentine’s Day to raise money for the Bath Cats and Dogs Home. www.theloftbath.com
OLD BANK ANTIQUES CENTRE
David Moore and Alex Schlesinger bring their ginger moggy, Frederick Augustus, to work with them on London Road, mainly because they live on the premises and it’s impossible to keep him out You wouldn’t think an animal and decorative, delicate antiques would fit together (a bull in a china shop springs to mind) but Fred the shop cat is a pro at avoiding any mishaps. “He’s very sure-footed,” says Alex. “He can walk through a fragile table display without so much as touching anything.” w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 27