Dogs of Jones
We have a new occasional feature for Wednesdays called The Dogs of Jones Natural Chews, for lack of a better title (feel free to brainstorm titles in the comments). Wednesday has traditionally been dog breeds, but I’m running out of local breeds to photograph. Rather, breeds I haven’t already featured. And the Jones employees are gracious enough to answer questions and show off their own beautiful fur babies.
Melissa Williamson, Prized Employee
Let’s jump right in with a big thank you to Melissa and her dogs!
Hi! Who are you and how did you come to work for Jones?
Melissa Williamson. I came to work for Jones as my Dad (Darren Jones) told me Aunt Laura was looking for an office assistant and I wanted to leave the restaurant where I was working (though I overlapped them for almost 2 years!).
Have you always had dogs, or is this your first dog?
Sam is my husband’s dog, which he rescued from a shelter in Indiana (as my hubby is from Indiana). Sampson is my dog, which we got from our friend as he was no longer able to give him enough time or attention. They are each our first dogs, being out on our own away from the parents.
Do you own any other animals? If so, what?
We also have 2 fish tanks and a turtle tank. We have a lot of small fish in our upstairs fish tank and we have just a handful of larger ones in our basement fish tank. We have 6 turtles.
What is your dog’s favorite Jones chew?
My dogs love the Bully Sticks, Center Bones, Knuckles, and Pig Ears. I can’t say that they like one over another….it just depends on how much chewing time that we want them to have.
What breed is your dog?
Sam is a Boxer/Huskie mix. Sampson (Blonde Sam) is a Lab/Greyhound mix.
Tell Your Dog’s Story
How did your dog find you? Purebred? Rescue? What’s your dog’s story?
Sam’s parents were shelter dogs that mated. He was born and raised in the shelter. He was there until he was 8 months old. My husband (we were not together then) got him in January of 2005.
Sampson was a construction worker’s dog. When Jones Natural Chews was in Woodstock, our complex neighbors were remodeling their store and the construction worker had him in his truck. My cousin, Lena, went over to say Hi to the dog and the construction worker said that he was bringing him to the pound right after work as his wife had cancer and they could no longer care for him. She snagged him up for her boyfriend in May of 2005. Lena & her boyfriend split. My hubby & I remained friends with her ex. As he is also in the trades, he was working heavy hours in the summer, thus had no time for Sampson. It was concluded that we should have Sampson. We became his owner (though he is technically my dog!) August 2008.
What’s your favorite thing to do with your dog? Walk? Play fetch? Agility? Dog park? Search and rescue?
We all enjoy quality time together with the kids (Karl is 3, MaKaylee is 1½, and Rowdy is 4 months old).
If your dog could talk, what is one thing it would ask you to change about yourself?
They would ask me to give them more treats!
If you could ask your dog one question, what would it be?
Is there anything more that we could be doing to make you happier?
How many dogs is too many dogs?
That is like asking how many kids are too many kids? That is a personal judgment call. Whatever makes you happy is a good number.
Giveaway
Thank you, Melissa! I love your story, your family’s story, of Sam and Sampson! I hope the construction worker’s wife survived and is thriving. And it’s a good thing I don’t live near you -I’m rather like a grandma with other people’s dogs and I’d be giving them treats nine ways to Sunday. 🙂
Speaking of treats, have you entered the current giveaway? This giveaway involves quite possibly the best treats Jones Natural Chews makes – Stuffed Windees. Oh, and in case you didn’t know, today’s post is gently recycled. Ahem. To enter our giveaway, click this sentence, leave a comment on the new post which will pop up, then use the giveaway box to enter by clicking I Commented. Simple stuff. Treat your dog to happiness.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea
