Hilton Head, South Carolina, gift store, ArtWare has a new greeter. She has four legs, a wagging tail and lots of love to give. Her name is Penny and she’s an Airedale Terrier recently adopted by ArtWare owner Jennifer Megliore.
Penny will have big “paws” to fill. The store’s previous mascot, Maddie, a Schnauzer Border Terrier mix, sadly passed away in Dec. 16, 2021, after 16 years of faithful service to the store. She was known for her sense of style, always wearing pearls and a ribbon. Seaside Retailer recently featured a story on Maddie, “Pooch with Personality,” in the September/October 2021 issue’s Coastal Connection section on store mascots.
“The community has been so kind when Maddie passed,” says Megliore. “We got flowers, cards, donations to local shelters, 1,000-plus comments and likes on social media. Maddie was so loved.”
Megliore says she didn't want to lose a minute of love the love and devotion that having a dog provides. One week after Maddie's passing, Megliore set up a profile on PetFinder. One day closing phone apps she says she “stopped dead in my tracks staring at a face that so much resembled Maddie that I had to swipe right. This dog was a perfect match for what we needed: [good] with kids and dogs and all-around kind.”
Penny was adopted from the Aloscosa Animal Alliance in San Antonio, Texas. Thanks to the help of Pink Happy Tails Transport, Megliore, was able to drive two hours to Knoxville, Tennessee, Jan. 14, from Atlanta Market to be united with Penny.
“What a joyous meeting! I helped walk the 77 dogs and puppies aboard the transport and we saved Maddie for last. When I saw those familiar amber eyes and ‘dark eyeliner’ I had a good cry. Love had come again,” she says.
Megliore, says she originally planned to name her new dog Maddie 2, but after a weekend of camping together, she realized that the adorable three-year old pooch needed her own identity. Once Penny arrived to Hilton Head, Megliore began her training with basic obedience, Canine Good Citizenship and Hos-Pets, a local group that brings comfort to those in hospice.
Penny wasted no time fulfilling her new role as greeter. Some of the store’s youngest visitors, who knew Maddie, have instantly bonded with Penny. And the store held a Valentine’s Day fundraiser where Penny was available for hugs in exchange for donations to Hilton Head Humane Association.
“Every time I've lost a dog, I have a prayerful moment with them to ask them to help send me my next wonderful dog in my life. Maddie definitely found me a good one to carry out her legacy of love,” says Megliore.
