The Straight Poop:

By Drake the Dog
Reader Columnist

Where am I taking my humans today? I am snoozing in my bed, this fine Saturday morning, enjoying the warm sun on my face, the Missus exclaimed, “I’m late, I’m late for a very important date!” Why is she late? It’s not a workday, she doesn’t have a plane to catch or a business meeting to attend…it’s the weekend! At my house, Saturdays’ are lazy days. We usually stroll downtown, have coffee, go to the Saturday Market in Jeff Jones Square, meet friends, hike, take a bike ride, or go to the beach and relax!

Darian Kinney holding Ernie, with Grammy Pammy (left) and Drake.

However, this morning the Missus’ frenzy stemmed from the fact that her favorite watch had stopped working. Her iphone and Siri can tell her the time and everything else but ‘she’s never fully dressed without the watch’! I quickly polished my collar, finished my taste of the wild breakfast, and made dash for my favorite pet area.

Today, we’re strolling to The Sunshine Goldmine, home of the fine jewelers and goldsmiths Matt and Darian Kinney, their two cute kids, Anderson (3 ½), Birch (1 ½), Grammy Pammy, and my buddy Joia, (a really cool Siberian Husky). Joia was not on deck today. Instead the crew was puppy sitting a cute Boston Terrier named Ernie. SG is located at 110 South First Avenue, in downtown Sandpoint. The Kinney’s purchased SG one year ago from their dear friends and mentors Peter and Paula Mulbarger. This is a jeweler where you can take passed-down family pieces that do not suit you, and have them transformed into beautifully unique pieces that you love to wear: alchemy! I wonder what they can do with my red dog collar that I’ve had since my shelter days?  (What a great idea for my holiday wish list)

This place reminds me of home (it’s a house!). After a warm welcome, Matt takes a look at the watch with his special jeweler’s loop. Yes, a new battery is needed.  While he is in the back room doing his jewelry ‘magic’, Darian offers to clean and check the stones in the Missus jewelry—complimentary for each customer.

As for me, I’m having so much fun playing with Anderson and Ernie. Grammy Pammy is helping other customers; while I am giving slobbery dog kisses of approval when customers try on the baubles, bangles and beads!

The folks at SG pride themselves in educating their customers. As we all settled in around the shop’s centerpiece, authentic antique ore cart that was used to transport ore from the mines to the railroad, Darian opened her jewelry history storybook and began. “Once upon a time, a diamond was used to symbolize love and marriage. The very first known recipient of a diamond engagement ring, in 1477, was Mary of Burgundy, who accepted the proposal of Maximilian of Austria. Back in the day, the ancients said that the Vein of Love connected the third finger of the left hand directly to the heart. Today, diamonds continue to represent perfection. They are used in marriage proposals, as reflection of what love should be: eternal and divinely romantic. A kiss on the hand might be quite sentimental but diamonds are a girls best friend!”

The watch is now working, thanks to Matt. Jewelry is cleaned, checked and the Missus is now fully accessorized. The Mister utters a sigh of relief! As for me, my morning has been filled with play, a story hour, meeting awesome folks, lots of pets, and slobbery kisses.  Note to self…. tell the all of my friends that Sunshine Goldmine is THE BARK! It’s a one-stop shop for the holidays, or any day. I hope they gift wrap, because I’m all paws!

•Here’s the Straight Poop: When you visit the Sunshine Goldmine Company:

Wipe your paws on the welcome mat. Bring your “company best” manners, inside voice, and play quietly. No nose art on the glass jewelry cases. There is a bench on the porch if you need a ‘time out.’ And above all, do not, under any circumstances, lift your leg anywhere inside, especially on the antique ore cart. The Kinney’s have awesome treats for good pooches (and customers!)