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John Power 'Top Dog' aka 'Uncle John' has spent many years growing up in Bedford, Sackville and Windsor. It was while living in the latter town, that he began working in the Grocery Retail Industry. From Wades to Sobeys, John spent 28 years (yeah, like wow, right?) working in various roles from entry level to management in many parts of Nova Scotia and virtually all of HRM.
For as long as John can remember, he has been taking care of dogs and usually they weren't even his. So when it came time to pursue his own dream, dogs lead him the way. From daycare to barkyard socials, John is the go-to-guy, thoroughly invested in ensuring you and your furkid have a safe and enjoyable visit!
John is dad to Liam 15yrs, Nial 12yrs and furkids terrier mix 'Ocean' and basset hound 'Lux' aka Fat Bastard.
Note of warning: if you bring up the topic of deer hunting, you had better be prepared to stick around for a chat. And if you do talk about hunting remind John at the end of conversation not to bore Nicolle with more stories about hunting because she has heard them ALL!
While Uncle John really doesn't appear to have favorite dogs, he does on the rarest of occasion allow one dog to sit on his lap 'Bella Rose'. Plus, John has resigned himself to the fact that the old green garden hose is now the property of 'Jack-Hose_me-Down-Dunlap'.
Nicolle Bellefontaine grew up in Dartmouth, graduated from Prince Andrew (Go Panthers!) and then spent much of her 20's working in the Annapolis Valley. Before long, it was time to grow up and settle down and Nicolle chose Sackville to do that. Seven years later, Nicolle is LOVING Sackville and is excited about the residential and economic growth in this lovely part of HRM. This is definitely the place to be! And such a great place deserves the best services for their best friend.
Here's a funny thing: if your furkid spends time socializing here at The Chewed Slipper, you may notice your dog starts listening with more interest to the radio. It could be your dog recognizes 'Aunt Nicolle' who is also a full time personality on Today's Best Music C100. (Yes, dogs have actually stopped because they hear Nicolle on the air. Now if only her two sons would learn to listen....)
As well as step-mom to Liam & Nial, Nicolle is the proud pup-parent of Ocean (she's the apple of mama's eye), Lux and Budsie the sassy Cockatiel.
Nicolle really, truly loves ALL the TCS furkids and as 'Den Mother' she just can't choose her favorites, but the funniest dog has to be 'Jack-Frat-Boy-Dunlap'.
John Poole is an animation student at The Centre for Arts and Technology. JP is an absolute delight to have here at The Chewed Slipper. In a day and age when young people lack manners and basic communication skills (like eye-contact), JP is a rare find, indeed! Never loses his cool, conscientious about his work and always looking to take on more responsibilities, JP is a keeper. That is until he becomes a Film Animator. Yes, our sweet Mr. Poole is fabulous with dogs AND likes sketching, animation and filmmaking. What a guy! JP loves all pups, but some extra-special favorites are: 'Shelby' his grandmother's sheltie and day care kids like 'Rainah','Ava', 'Fergus', 'Mindy' & 'Jack-Party-Animal-Dunlap'.
Liam Power is a Sackville area teen and has always had mulitiple dogs in his life. Being the kid of TCS owners John & Nicolle, Liam was around so much that he decided he wanted to start working, too. Young Mr. Power has undergone training with Susan Jordan and logged many, many, many observational hours with the dogs in day care and will tell you that he 'looks at dogs differently'! Liam has learned much about dog signals and behaviors and likes being able to monitor play between dogs and maintained control of the 'pack'.
As well as working at TCS, Liam is part of student council at Sackville High School, attends Provincial Leadership camps, volunteered with Canada Games and loves shooting Arisoft.
Nial Power is the funny little guy who helps out on the front desk. Always the charmer, Nial happily greets customers and furkids alike. From sweeping floors and working the cash register to helping with supper and giving snuggles to TCS boarders (sleepover furkids), Nial does it all with a big cheeky grin and a geniune desire to see all people and dogs have a great day! This fun and lovable 13 year old is in the French Immersion program at AJ Smeltzer....soon Niall will be giving commands en Francais. C'est bon! Nial's favorite furkids are 'Riley', and 'Tucker Fung' who gets more excited when he sees Nial than ANYone else at TCS. 'Tucker' just LOSES it! Very funny, LOUD....but again it is very funny, too.
Tanya Sollows and her beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog first started visiting The Chewed Slipper through the popular and fun Barkyard Socials. Before you can say 'What is a Barkyard Social?', Tanya had left her government job, trained with one of metro's best dog groomers and opened up Vanity Fur Spa here at TCS! This 'woman-of-action' has created a dog-friendly, GENTLE and freakishly-clean dog grooming service which is already enjoying repeat customers. Tanya believes the health and happiness of each dog client is paramount and that is why she is such a tremendous addition to The Chewed Slipper! That and we think she is funny and sweet to have around. If you want a groomer interested in listening to what YOU want and who will be gentle with your furkid, stop by and visit Tanya, owner of Vanity Fur, Sackville's Premiere Dog Spa.
John R. Power
Co-Owner & Manager
Plus: Puppy Wrangler, Keeper of Food & Master Poop Scooper
aka 'Uncle John'
If he was a dog, he would be a...'Beagle'
Nicolle Bellefontaine
Marketing & Co-Owner,
Plus: Puppy Wrangler, Dog 'Sweet' Talker, Cook & Task Master
aka 'Aunt Nicolle'
If she was a dog she would be a ... "BULL DOG with a pink collar"
John Poole
Puppy Wrangler, Squeegee Whiz & Generous Audience to Nicolle's jokes (usually concerning Uncle John)
aka 'Mr. Poole' or 'JP'
If he were a dog, he would be...'a Doberman Pinscer'
Liam Power
Junior Puppy Wrangler
aka 'Hey, kid!'
If he were a dog, he would be...' a Chiweenie"
Nial Power
Apprentice Puppy Wrangler & Reception Desk Dynamo aka 'Nialy' and 'Gibblysnort'
If he were a dog, he would be...."King Charles Cavalier'
Are these people FURreal? You bet! Furry and full of tall 'tails' of grrr8t adventures with dogs!
Kristy Wager
Puppy Wrangler and Cutie-Pie
If Kristy were a dog she would be...a Mutt
Kristy is that kind of staff member you can't imagine leaving..and then they do! Even though Kristy is a full-time student at the NS Agricultural College, she does find time to help us out during her holidays and breaks! For that we are thankful, as Kristy is adored by staff, puppies and pup-parents alike. Our 'doggy door' will ALWAYS be open for Kristy! As far as Kristy's favourite daycare kids: Freya the Husky, Georgia the AmStaff, Izzie the Valley Bull and Kiwi the Valley Bull cross.
Jillian Shebib
Puppy Wrangler and 'Princess of Pups'
If Jillian were a dog she would be...a Whippet
Jillian's history with TCS began when she completed a highschool co-op work term in 2009/2010. We ADORED Miss Jillian and so did our pups. Since late 2010, Jillian has become an important part of our part-time staff team. As well as being punctual and adorably agreeable, Jillian is also very gentle and patient with each of our dogs.
This fall our 'Jilly' will begin attending school to train as a Veterinary Technician and we could not be more proud!!
Jillian's favourite dog would be: 'Whisky' her aging little cutie-pie beagle. In fact, we heart 'Miss Whisky' as much as Jillian!
