Yorkie makes a withdrawal

Giving out treats to dogs a daybrightener for everyone

By Bob Williams | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, April 6, 2007

When Kiwi’s owner, Kristi Lausch, drives up to the bank window to make a deposit, the little Yorkshire terrier expects to make a withdrawal.

Kristi Lausch, owner of On the Brink of Advertising agency, takes Kiwi with her when she is on the road and even when running errands.

“Kiwi gets so excited when we go to the drive-thru,” she said.

Everyone loves a cute puppy and Kiwi offers a little stress relief during a busy day for bank employees, which is reason enough for a reward.

“We all know Kiwi by name,” Denise Kumm, a teller at the bank, said.

While Kiwi is a popular guest at the bank, the tellers are hesitant to name her their favorite.

“We don’t want to anger any of our customers by picking one. They’re all our favorites,” she said.

Some canine customers even put on a show in the lobby.

“There is a dog named Buddy who sings for his treat,” Kumm said. “His owner sings to him and Buddy just howls. We also see a cocker spaniel who comes into the lobby rolls over and does tricks.”

The extension of customer service to pets seems to have caught on elsewhere in the city because other businesses also serve doggie treats.

“We just started it recently,” Taco John’s manager Brian Fuder said. “One of our employees brings in treats and hands them out. It might not happen everytime but it’s fun when we do.”

Next time a mocha is in order for the master, bring the pup along to see Carissa Weller at Coffee Hut.

“We’ve been serving treats here since we opened this location three years ago. Many of our regular customers bring their dogs. We go through 30-40 treats per week,” Weller said.

“Some of my favorites are Winston the Collie and these two bulldogs, one is big, the other small. They lean out of the car windows with their paws hanging out,” she said.

They know they are getting treats.

“There is also another cute bulldog named Lulu. She comes to the window and I ask her to speak. When she does, she gets a treat,” Weller said.

Like any treat, too much of a good thing can lead to unwanted pounds. “After a winter of treats, Kiwi is now in need of some spring training,” Lausch said.