A Dog's Life
PENN TWP — Walmart has senior citizens in blue vests to greet customers. Gary's Small Engine Service Center has something different.
Gary Kalkbrenner, owner of the outdoor power equipment sales and service center on Route 8 North, brings his great Dane, Oz, to work with him every day to meet and greet patrons.
“He's like my shadow,” Kalkbrenner said. “To leave him at home just wouldn't be right for him because my wife and I both work, so he has just always come to work with me.”
Customers love Oz, who will be 2 years old in August.
“He's a conversation piece, and it's amazing; other people relate,” Kalkbrenner said. “They say, 'Oh, he could probably eat my little dog.'”
Oz, however, is what Kalkbrenner calls a “gentle giant.” He's good with children and people in general despite his intimidating size.
“Sometimes (people) come back just to see the dog,” Kalkbrenner said. “They bring their relatives, grandchildren, even their wives.”
Those returners will even bring dog biscuits for Oz to snack on, and kids often pet him.
Despite Oz's easygoing demeanor, Kalkbrenner said his size — he last weighed in at 140 pounds and is not yet fully grown — might make would-be thieves think twice.
“I'm sure it would,” Kalkbrenner said.
Oz is the third great Dane that Kalkbrenner has had and the second to occupy the store. Kalkbrenner's previous dog used to camp out right by the door, though the habit might have deterred some customers.
“We had people walk in and he got up, and they'd hurry up and shut the door and step back outside,” Kalkbrenner said.
That's why Oz stays behind the counter.
“I think it gives people a chance (to come in) knowing that there's something between him and them,” Kalkbrenner said.
Aside from being a people's dog, Oz enjoys playing with his squeaky chew toy, which Kalkbrenner said he “sings to” in a howling way.
Oz is energetic, so Kalkbrenner ensures he is kept away from potentially dangerous equipment.
“He will get wound up if people want to play with him,” Kalkbrenner said. “He likes to run, so I don't want him running around and maybe getting cut off on a lawn mower or some other piece of equipment.”
