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Tucker puts on the dog for customers at clothing shop
Sunday, May 07, 2000 By Deborah Shankovich
Tucker is one dog who really works to earn his keep. Sometimes he puts in a 40-hour work week at his place of employment, The Frog N' Princess Ltd. at 100 E. McMurray Road.
While some may question if what Tucker does is work, no one questions his dedication.
Tucker, a 5-year-old, 105-pound golden retriever, is the official greeter at The Frog N' Princess, a children's clothing store owned by Renee Lingle of McMurray. Lingle says she'll never have to worry about her store going to the dogs -- it already has.
"Tucker takes his job very seriously," Lingle said, adding that business has increased steadily since Tucker's arrival when he was 8 weeks old.
"Parents and grandparents have more freedom to browse because Tucker's baby-sitting. The customers adore him; some have even suggested I rename the store Tucker's Place."
The feeling is apparently mutual. Tucker seems to go out of his way to meet, welcome and entertain customers.
"If he doesn't hear a person come in, all I have to do is tell him, 'Tucker, you have a customer,' and he's at the door wagging his tail," Lingle said.
Tucker is fond of children; for them, he saves his best. To their squeals of delight, he treats them to slurpy kisses, rolls over and gives his best pawshake.
"He's always been well-mannered; he's never growled or jumped up on anybody," Lingle said.
Elizabeth Rooney of Mt. Lebanon, an employee of The Frog N' Princess, says she visits family in Chicago and sees a lot of animals in stores there.
"It's not as common to see one here, though. I think more store owners ought to consider adding an animal to their staff; it's really a boon for business," Rooney said.
Mary Jo Olsen of Cecil regularly shops at The Frog N' Princess for her 23 nieces and nephews and agrees with Rooney.
"The clothes here are outstanding, but Tucker's the main draw," Olsen said.
When the store is not busy, Tucker sits in a grassy area beside the store, or snoozes inside in front of the sliding glass door.
He sleeps with his baby, a stuffed toy golden retriever, in his mouth and his big golden paws around its body.
"He loves his baby," Lingle said. "The only time he barks is when he can't find it."
Tucker gets weekends off and spends that time being companion to the rest of the family, Lingle's husband Tom and their 12-year-old daughter, Brittany. Every Saturday morning, Tucker jogs with Tom to offset the effects of the many treats people bring him while he's at work, and he gets groomed at least once a month so he'll look his best. After all, Lingle said, "we have a dress code."
Lingle says she first brought Tucker to work as a puppy because she didn't like leaving him home alone all day.
"I've had other dogs but I'm especially close to Tucker; he's like the son I never had," Lingle said.
"I knew he would be well received in a children's clothing store because he's so people-oriented, but I never dreamed he would reach celebrity status."
Deborah Shankovich is a free-lance writer.
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