24 • March 11 - 24, 2016 • The Log


thelog.com Shop dogs bring peace,


Marine and waterfront businesses considers dogs one of the team as they bring levity to the office. By Ambrosia Brody


IRVINE — Marine businesses from Channel Islands to San Diego count their shop dogs as essential crew members as each unique pet brings their own character and charm to the sometimes long work days. The Log spoke with brokers, marine-related and waterfront business owners to find out what their pet brings to the office.


Roxie, 10, Yellow Labrador Retriever


Customers who have dined at The


Waterside Restaurant and Bar in Channel Islands Harbor oftentimes comes back not just for the food, but to spend time with the restaurant’s mascot, Roxie. The Waterside Restaurant and Bar


co-owner Steve Buenger began bring- ing Roxie to work three years ago after her sister, Sadie, passed away. “She is always with me,” said Buenger who also co-owns Marine Emporium Landing in the harbor. “She enjoys it here in the office or the restaurant. Roxie also greets fellow canines to the dog-friendly restaurant that offers a patio and a dog menu compete with chicken and rice. Her popularity with the local residential community led Buenger to create a


Facebook page dedicated to Roxie. She has 233 friends who have liked the page. “Dogs are important members of the family,” explained Buenger who, with wife


and co-owner Maria, have made the restaurant accommodating to customers and their four-legged family members. “They can bring the whole family out to eat,” he added. Aside from being the eatery’s greeter, Roxie has also taken on a babysitter-


esque role as small children will eat then spend the rest of the time playing with Roxie.


“She brings all the love a lab can bring,” he said. “She is a positive influence on the work place.”


Tidbits on Roxie Favorite Place to Sleep: Under a credenza at the restaurant. Birthday Plans: The public helped celebrate Roxie’s 10th birthday at the Waterside Restaurant and Wine Bar Feb. 26. Live entertainment was provided. Favorite On-Water Activities: She likes to go wakeboarding and rides on the boat. She loves the water. Favorite Trick: Rolling over for belly rubs.


Charlie Bucket, 3, Jack Russell/ Beagle/Chihuahua mix


Rochelle Cooper,


who owns Ventura Boat Rentals with husband, Douglas Cooper, got the call that would change a small aspect of her life while on a trip out of state. “My husband and


kids called and asked me if we can get a dog and I said ‘whatever.’ I honesty wasn’t thinking straight,” she laughed as she recalls the conversa- tion.


What really struck


Rochelle Cooper was that her daughter, who was petrified of dogs at the time, was the one who asked to bring the rescue puppy home. “Charlie broke out of


Charlie. Plus he’s always


willing to go on a boat ride, kayak or on a stand up paddleboard. He’s up for anything water related. Ventura Boat Rentals staff appreci- ates the canine’s ability to lighten the mood in the office. When he’s not wel-


a guarded area and he came up to her and curled at her feet and went to sleep and she didn’t freak out,” Rochelle Cooper explained. Charlie has been following the


Charlie is decked out in his “on-the-water” gear as he paddles around the harbor. It is not uncommon to see him taking a ride on Standup Paddleboards or boats.


coming guests, chas- ing birds off the dock or sunbathing in the Southern California sun, Charlie can be found walking with Douglas Cooper at the dog beach, dinning at one of the many dog- friendly restaurants in the harbor or showing off his tricks. “He can roll over,


Cooper’s around ever since. When he was too young to trot beside


Rochelle Cooper without getting distract- ed by birds, she would bring him into the office in an avocado box where he would play and sleep during the work day. Since then Charlie has become one of


Ventura Boat Rentals team members tak- ing on the role as greeter and bird chaser. The company offers everything from boat, standup paddleboard, and jet ski rentals to private charter vessels and dinner cruis- es has many customers stopping by to pet


fetch and he will sing for you,” said Douglas Cooper. Charlie can always be found with a member of the Cooper family. “He saved us and we saved him,”


Rochelle Cooper said. “I never thought we’d ever have a dog. He has just been an absolute blessing to my family.”


Tidbits about Charlie Favorite Hangout: Ventura Boat Rentals. Favorite Spot to Eat: The Parlor. Fun Fact: He has two different colored eyes: blue and brown. Favorite thing about Boating: Standing on the bow of the boat where he laps up the air.


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