This profile is part of a series of stories where we showcase pets who add something extra special to local businesses.
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Arriving at a funeral home isn’t typically a happy experience but at Macquarie Valley Funerals and Monuments in Mudgee, it’s made more bearable by the presence of Oleg.
The two-year-old Moodle mans the desk at reception and has done so since he stumbled upon the office at ten months old.
Sharon Liptrott, who owns the establishment with her husband Peter, said Oleg almost always cheers up their visitors.
“We used to have him in the basket when he was little and people would come in and say ‘oh my god, isn’t he gorgeous’ and pick him up and cuddle him,” Sharon said.
“For the first 12 months of his life he thought his name was ‘oh aren’t you gorgeous’”.
Oleg is half Maltese and half Poodle, meaning he has a fluffy wool-like coat that seldom sheds hair.
“He’s so fluffy and cuddly and sometimes people just need to grab onto something,” she said.
"We often have services where families bring their dogs and that always makes them feel better."
“When he was a puppy, a family came in that was very upset and they came to see their loved one and they came out crying and asking ‘where’s the puppy?’”
As well as working in admin, Oleg has taken on the head security role too as he growls at unfamiliar characters when they walk past the front window.
“He grows at things that shouldn’t be out the front but if it’s a family he runs to the door to meet them,” she said.
“Oleg has made us realise that animals are such big parts of people’s lives so we encourage people to bring their animals to the chapel here.
"We often have services where families bring their dogs and that always makes them feel better.
“We’re a very pet-friendly place here and pets are real icebreakers at businesses… that’s something we’ve learned. They make everyone happy.”
f you would like to feature your ‘shop pet’ get in touch with the Mudgee Guardian at 6372 1455 or email the editor at ben.palmer@fairfaxmedia.com.au