Lynze Sanders treats dozens of dogs a week at LB Grooming Spaw in Elizabethton, but her favorites are the two dogs she brings to work with her every day.

Foxy and Heidi, Pomeranians, are both rescues from several years ago. Foxy comes from her time in Colorado, while Heidi used to be a client.

“I used to groom her, and her mom needed a new home for her,” Sanders said.

With Foxy being 15 years old and Heidi being nine, Sanders said the two are basically old ladies, hanging out in the back corner of the store most of the time.

She said their presence while she is working is invaluable.

“I do not know what I would do without Foxy,” Sanders said.

Foxy and Heidi will often socialize with the various clients who come to the store.

“The dogs will just run around and play,” she said.

She said the socialization is another positive aspect of them working with her, as it means they are not alone all day, every day.

Foxy and Heidi, however, know their status as Sanders’ pets, and she said sometimes they will make sure the clients know it by marking certain spots of the store as their own.

“They are little divas,” she said. “Foxy is the profile picture on our Facebook page.”

Sanders said the two dogs bring a sense of home with them at work, a calming sensation that reminds her of family, even when her work involves dealing with dozens of other people’s pets.

“I want everybody to know we treat everyone’s animals as if they are our own,” she said.

Sanders said her dogs give her lots of love both in and out of the office, and she gives that love back in return.

Business Buddies is an ongoing weekly series of profile pieces dedicated to the pet companions of various business owners in Elizabethton and Carter County. If you know any business owners whose pets hang out or work at the store, call us at 423-542-4151 and ask for the news desk, or send us an e-mail at amber.wadovick@elizabethton.com.