With a wag and a smile, dogs simply make the working world better. In this series, we explore the lives of local dogs who go to work with their people.

This week, we visit with Sunnie Selene and Lily Valentine in Mathews as they take the retail world by storm.

Potpourri Shoppe

Sunnie Selene, a five-and-a-half-year-old Greek Kokoni, can often be found at The Potpourri Shoppe, a retail business operated by the Animal Care Society of Mathews. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit is located on Mathews Main Street across from Mathews Memorial Library.

“She really does love the children,” said Mary Stephens, Sunnie’s owner and ACS president.

Stephens adopted Sunnie in May 2022 when her friend Sonja Fitzgerald, an animal rescuer, saved her from the streets of Texas. At the time, Stephens had been looking for an energetic playmate for her puppy.

“This dog is so social and so self-confident,” said Stephens.

Sunnie has been deemed the shop’s greeter and socialite, needing to say hi to everyone who walks through the door. She keeps children entertained while their adults peruse the shop. She loves to be brushed and will sit patiently for pats and treats.

In addition to the children, Stephens has seen Sunnie gravitate towards adults who are in need of some compassion, as if she can sense that they are in need of comfort.

“You help all these people,” said Stephens directly to Sunnie. “I really think that she’s born to do that.”

Sunnie has been working the shop for the past two and a half years. “She takes her job very seriously.”

When Stephens asks Sunnie if she is ready to go to work, Sunnie is up in a flash. “She does this wild happy dance,” said Stephens.

ACS is an animal care support group operated by volunteers. The organization donated over $25,000 to local animal welfare groups in 2024. The shop is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Lily Valentine

“The business was named after Lily.”
Becky Beckstoffer opened Lily Valentine Antiques and Upscale Clutter in 2017, naming the business after her miniature Labradoodle, Lily Valentine.

“She’s been coming to work with me since she was a puppy,” said Beckstoffer.

Lily was born on Valentine’s Day in 2015 and had her first job working on films with her pawrents in Richmond, among many other canine companions.

“She’d go to the office and not always behave,” said Beckstoffer.

At Lily Valentine Antiques, which is now located at 24 Church Street, Lily is a favorite in her community with people visiting the shop just to see her.

“She brings me a lot of customers,” said Beckstoffer.

Lily has her designated favorites, but generally enjoys most visitors.

“She likes people,” said Beckstoffer. “She doesn’t like dogs. She doesn’t think she’s a dog.”

Oftentimes, Lily can be found curled up asleep in her armchair and is sometimes mistaken for a stuffed animal.

Before the business moved to the Church Street location at the end of June, Lily would traipse along Main Street, visiting The Potpourri Shoppe, The Vintage Pearl, and The Bean Spot, sniffing out all sorts of treats and goodies.

“We called her the mayor of Main Street,” said Beckstoffer. “She would go from shop to shop for treats.”

Lily would regularly return to her own shop with her fur covered in whipped cream from a pup cup courtesy of The Bean Spot and brand-new toys from The Vintage Pearl.

“Often, Lily would come home with a new toy in her mouth,” said Beckstoffer.

In addition to visiting with customers and neighboring shops, Lily has found her place in social media stardom. On Facebook, Lily can be seen advertising different shop items to her 900+ followers.

“She’s a diva,” said Beckstoffer. “It’s all about Lily.”

Her favorite person in the world is her dad, Ron Beckstoffer.