Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
TEDDY
Age/Sex: 7 years/male Breed: Dachshund/Chihuahua mix. “Just for the record: Humans made up the name Chiweenie.” Job Title: Greeter, Welcome Waggin’ Favorite Book: Nancy Ross Hugo’s Trees Up Close and Søren Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling Favorite item in store: The treat jar Philosophy: Snack, nap, read, walk Notable Achievements: Bringing in new people to the store by sitting in the display window—sometimes napping and making people wonder, “Is that a real dog?” 6275 Delmar, 314-862-6100.
Photo by Kevin. A Roberts
SHILOH
Age/Sex: 6 years/female Breed: Domestic shorthair Job Title: Greeter, human resources manager Favorite Leisure Activity: Napping. “She averages 25 hours a day,” says O.K.’s owner, Steve Krieger. Favorite item in store: Anything “except a visiting dog.” Notable Achievements: Surviving almost two years on her own Philosophy: “If you’re a cat in a feed store, don’t worry about the mice. They have stuff to take care of it.” 115 E. Argonne, 314-822-0083.
Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
SPIKE
Age/Gender: 11 years/male Breed: Rough and rugged, from the alley Job Title: Night manager, czar of napping Favorite Color: “Black like my soul—and my luxuriant fur.” Favorite Book: The Little Grumpy Cat That Wouldn’t (a Little Golden Book), How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety, Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar Famous For: The time that Jackson Galaxy thought he could withhold treats from Spike. “I showed him.” Notable Achievements: Meeting Judy Blume. Taste-testing all of the plants in the store. “Emily Giffin wrote about me in Where We Belong, but only a brief mention, so someone can still have me as the star of their book.” Advice: “The books I’m sitting on are the best ones.” 399 N. Euclid, 314-367-6731.
Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
OLIVE
Age/Gender: 10 years old, Female Breed: Farm Cat Job Title: Supervisor, Instagram Poser, Kid Distraction Favorite Color: Green Favorite Leisure activity: Snoozing on the bookcase, mousing in the vegetable garden Favorite item in store: “Any new cozy items like throws or pillows…but I always get kicked off.” Famous For: Hiding in the plants and startling customers Notable Achievements: Gracefully jumping around the store without knocking anything over; drinking out of the sink Life Philosophy: “Look cute for extra pats, and when you are done, just walk away.” Advice for Readers: “Take lots of naps. Preferably in a sunny spot.” 4605 Olive, 314-454-6868.
