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I’m in love with a Frenchman.

Hold it! Rebecca knows all about it and approves.

The Frenchman in question is a standard Poodle named Lucas. He manages Antiques On The Square in Marietta and employs two lovely people, Melissa and Jim. To keep peace in the family, Lucas allows Melissa and Jim to think of themselves as his masters. And, I have it on good authority, Lucas even permits the two to live in his house.

I met Lucas last winter on my first visit to his marvelous and eclectic store. We bonded (scratching his ears will do that), and he deemed me worthy of being part of his circle of admirers. I have remained in his good graces – the bag of treats brought as tribute didn’t hurt – and am now greeted with an upturned head which, in Poodle speak, means scratch my chin, or I’ll banish you.

Lucas’ place – Antiques On The Square – is a collection of the priceless and the curious. There’s fine silver and furniture, old books, historic newspapers, Civil War swords, cameras, Coca-Cola collectibles, and a stunning collection of LP’s and rock memorabilia (especially The Beatles.) And there’s so much more. If you’re in dire need of a “Your Weight And Fortune” scale, they have one.

Lucas’ management style is benign indifference. When not greeting loyal customers who may know where the treats are hidden, he stays close to the cash register and exercises his fiscal responsibilities. He also seems diligent in his employee relations, following Jim or Melissa to various parts of his empire to make sure they don’t give away the merchandise.

In truth, Lucas is not particular about who scratches his ears. I have put that down to good customer relations and not as a sign of the deterioration of our relationship.

I encourage you to visit Antiques On The Square in Marietta, but if you go on the week-end you likely won’t find Lucas there. He dislikes crowds. Constant adoration and fawning are bad for business.

However, if he knows you’re in the market for that portrait of Robert E. Lee or a saxophone, he might make an exception.

But don’t forget the treats.

1. Alice Murray says:

   September 16, 2009 at 7:38 pm

   Love it. Thanks for sharing. I rarely get to Marietta, but for Lucas I might make an exception. I love store dogs and watch cats, which make shopping in locally owned businesses a real treat. Squash Blossom on the Decatur Square has a French bulldog. My favorite store in Hiawassee, Ga., a clothing store named Anderson’s, has two cats, including a solid white deaf cat and a black and white American shorthair. The owner even bottle fed five orphan kittens this summer in her stock room before finding all of them homes. Let’s hear it for taking our pets to work.

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2. Keith Graham says:

   September 16, 2009 at 11:06 pm

   My sister used to have a poodle and they really are great dogs. Very smart. The French also are great dog lovers and can — and do — take their dogs everywhere. Of course, keeshonds — Dutch barge dogs — really are the best dogs. I’m sure no one would argue differently.

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3. Mark Johnson says:

   September 17, 2009 at 2:08 pm

   Well … the keshond is a terrific dog, but I have to confess (and please don’t tell Lucas) that I am partial to Scottish terriers (smart, arrogant) and to my rescue dog, George, who is mostly Briard but has some chow and Heaven-knows-what mixed in. He’s a sweet, affectionate, and loyal friend and has the IQ of an asteroid.

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