Page 40 - April 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

Paws for love in April SMOKEY,WWII (COURTESY BILL WYNNE)

by Lois Bolin
Old Naples Historian

M an’s best friends, renowned for their devotion, are thought to DENNIS GUYITT, GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE OF SWFL
have played a role in developing modern humans by helping to
eradicate caveman rivals, the Neanderthal, some 40,000 years McQuaid Marketing.
ago. Anthropologists, now hypothesize when modern man migrated from On Fifth Avenue South, you will find water bowls at
Africa to Europe, they brought with them superior tools and a loyal ally,
domesticated wolves. many shops but for that Fifth Avenue cache, look for Tinker
Bell, the purr-fect Persian cat, often shaved like a lion, at The
Since then dogs have assisted mankind in a plethora of ways - including Wind in the Willows. While Tinker Bell is not a pup, she
wartime. Left in a foxhole on a dirt road in New Guinea during World War receives two paws up for her random appearances in their
II is how Smokey, the 4-pound Yorkshire terrier, began the adventure that window displays, having people to ask: How much is that
would lead her to become WWII’s “littlest soldier,” earning eight battle kitty in the window?
stars through 18 months of combat and 12 missions during five theaters
of operation. Don’t have your furry pal with you? Then stop by
Waterfront Grill at Venetian Village every Saturday from 1
In January 1945, Smokey became a p.m. - 4 p.m. for “Yappy Hour.” For VIPs, (Very Important
true war dog hero when she was able to Pups), Sea Salt, located on Historic Third Street South, was
assist in reducing a three day dangerous highly recommended by Moose, the Museum Maltese.
job down to 10 minutes. With the need to
accommodate communication wires under If canine companions accommodations are required, look
the runway and safety concerns for 200 no further than the Hilton Naples or the Ritz-Carlton Golf
soldiers and 40 U.S. planes, the seven inch Resort. And for socializing, the City of Naples Dog Park
high Smokey, pulled a string, attached to is a pooch’s paradise. On this 1.35-acre sectioned area (for
her collar, through a 70-foot long, 8-inches small and large dogs), you’ll find two and four-legged water
wide sand packed pipe. Not only did the fountains, custom painted fire hydrants and a shade tree
Americans avoid detection by the Japanese, planted in honor of Moose Bolin, the Museum Maltese so
Smokey felt the love from all who saw this named by Springfield’s Own magazine in 2011.
“littlest soldier’s” loyalty in action.
Pooches Picks for service to dogs goes to PAWS Assistance
One of Naples most beloved four & Therapy Dogs, Golden Retriever Rescue of SWFL and a
legged stories, involving another kind of service, entails a customer of Mamie double high paw to Philip Douglas and Doug Olsen, recent
Tooke, Naples first woman bank president. Jane Tibbett, wife of famed recipients of the HSN’s “Animaltarian Award.”Philip Douglas
Metropolitan Opera star, Lawrence Tibbett, often ran errands accompanied Salon’s Diva, Ava, would be so proud.
by her basset hound, Jedge, who would wait patiently for his cookie from
Mrs.Tooke. One day Jedge decided not to go home and assumed his position To renew your spirit, stop by Celebration Community
next to Mrs. Tooke, wherein for hours, he would go about his new job of Beach Church, held in Cambier Park every Sunday at 9:30
sleuthing or sleeping. a.m. Here you can meet friends of all sizes and shapes, who
have all decided to PAWS for love in April.
Mrs. Tooke, who assumed the manager’s position after her husband’s
death, also inherited a seat on the Loan Committee. As the stories go, she
soon noticed that during some of the loan interviews, Jedge would leave the
bank, while during others; he would remain next to her desk. If he stayed,
there was a good chance a loan approval was on the horizon.

This furry customer service philosophy continues today in many of Naples
local businesses. Phil Fisher’s Gallery in Crayton Cove is one place where you
can see fabulous art and sit a spell with Seraphina, Phil Fisher and Natalie
Guess’ 13 year-old Fox Terrier mix. On any given day at McQuaid Company
& Real Estate Services at Bayfront, on the Old Naples Waterfront, you can
find the “Waterfront Wonder Dog,” Bo, the “low-riding” Dachshund and
McQuaid’s favorite confident - other than Barbara Corcoran, from SHARK
TANK. No doubt Bo is looking forward to the 34th Annual Taste of
Collier on April 25, 2015, now owned and produced by his mom’s company,

40 Life in Naples | April 2015