Great Dogs

and the people who love them

A portrait of man' s best friend in the Queen City

They're everywhere ... Striding on leashes down Church Street, gracing the lawns of Queens Boulevard, sunning on porches in Plaza Midwood, and gazing at passersby from underneath tables at trendy SouthPark cafés.

See who’s who in the canine Queen City, featuring Moose, Licorice, Moe, and King Louis Vuitton, to name just a few.

As seen through the eyes of the people who love them — from sports figures to politicians, artists to philanthropists — these dogs are truly man’s best friend at his finest.

of Charlotte

Produced by a collaboration of photographers, writers, and Hibiscus Brand Management.

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Striding on leashes down Church Street, gracing the lawns of Queens Boulevard, sunning on porches in Plaza Midwood, and gazing at passersby from underneath tables at trendy SouthPark cafés.

See who's who in the canine Queen City, featuring Moose, Licorice, Moe, and King Louis Vuitton, to name just a few.

As seen through the eyes of the people who love them — from sports figures to politicians, artists to philanthropists — these dogs are truly man’s best

friend at his finest.

they're everywhere ...

Photo © McGraw Photography

Photo © McGraw Photography Photo © McGraw Photography

Great Dogs of Charlotteand the people who love them

Table of Contents

dogs at the water cooler Katie Tyler ......................................................................................... Guide Dogs and a 102-pound Moose Fuel the Fight for Animal Rescue

pg 12

pg 18

pg 26

Stephanie and Ron Rivera ....................................................... The “First Family” of the Carolina Panthers

pg 34

pg 40

pg 48

pg 54

pg 60

dog celebs Ann and Pat McCrory ................................................................ Moe McCrory Finds His Way Home

pg 70

pg 78

pg 82

pg 88

Craig Moon ...................................................................................... The Ultimate Job PerkAnna Smith ..... .................................................................................. Clyde “The Bahwey” Smith

Wendy and Jay Bilas ..................................................................... Rescued by the House of BilasMichael Kidd-Gilchrist ............................................................ Making the CutJason Kokrak .................................................................................... Drives Fore Lives

Libby Bagby ......................................................................................... A Lucky LegacyJoanne Stratton Tate .................................................................. Patience is a Virtue, and a Therapy DogSylvia and Phil Van Hoy ............................................................ Lake Wylie’s Calendar Girl

dogs on the sidelines

Nichole and Greg Biffle ........................................................... A Once-in-a-Lifetime Kind of Guy

Table of Contents

charlotteans extraordinaire Amy and Phil Blumenthal ........................................................ At Home with the Blumenthals

pg 96

pg 102

pg 108

pg 114

pg 122

pg 130

pg 138

pg 142

Lashawnda Becoats ...................................................................... King Louis Reigns

Shelly Moore ................................................................................... Making a Difference

Maureen O’Boyle ............................................................................ Full House

Edwin Gil ............................................................................................ Beauty From DetritusPatsy Kinsey ....................................................................................... Waiting for the Right One

Nora and Tom Hughes ............................................................... Saving Two Lives, Changing a ChildIn Memory of Liz Hair ................................................................ The Best Dog Was Truly Liz Hair’s Best Friend

acknowledgements Photographers, Writers, and Graphic Design ...........

pg 150

THE “FIRST FAMILY” OF THE

1985 was an auspicious year for Ron and Stephanie Rivera.

Fresh out of the University of California, Berkeley, Ron was beginning his rookie year as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears in a winning season that would lead him to the Super Bowl playoffs.

Also that year, Stephanie, a former California point guard, saw a Golden Retriever puppy at the mall that she couldn’t pass by. She brought him home, thus beginning a family that now spans over two decades of dogs, kids, and sports, and culminating in the Riveras becoming the “first family” of the Carolina Panthers.

And now the Riveras have come full circle — with their children, Courtney and Christopher, out of the nest, the family is back down to Ron, Stephanie, and their two dogs, Fiyero and Penny.

Fiyero, a championship-line Golden Retriever, was an energetic puppy, so much so that like many high-energy dog owners, the Riveras decided that another dog was needed to race wildly around the backyard with Fiyero and hopefully wear the dog out.

Enter Penny, a feisty terrier mix. While exercising Fiyero in an Illinois dog park during Ron’s tenure as a coach for the Chicago Bears, a friend of Stephanie’s arrived with three dogs in tow, including Penny, a rescue dog that her friend was fostering. Penny had come from a non-profit organization called “Tails of Hope,” which finds homes for pets of the elderly and chronically ill. Penny quickly bonded with Fiyero as an eager playmate, and a few weeks later, was officially adopted by the Riveras. She then settled into her full-time job as the alpha dog, spending long hours finding new ways to tease Fiyero.

Like most retrievers, Fiyero loves sticks and will demolish one in minutes. Penny exploits this weakness by savoring her own stick, parading it in front of Fiyero, and growling and barking when Fiyero gets close. Stephanie says that she’s forgetful though, and will menacingly protect the place where the stick used to be. Stephanie helps her by pointing out the stick’s new location so that Penny can quickly go back to her game, dignity intact. At other times, Penny plays the role of Fiyero’s sidekick, tagging along while he performs his job of retrieving the TV

Ron & Stephanie Rivera

Ron and Stephanie Rivera make animal rescue a top priority.

Photos © Steven Lindenman

PANTHERSCarolina

The Riveras have come full circle — with their children, Courtney and Christopher, out of the nest, the family is down to Ron,

Stephanie, and their two dogs, Fiyero and Penny.

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remote control, and thereby earning a treat as well. She then takes her customary spot on Ron’s lap, surveying her kingdom.

Fiyero is well aware of his royal blood and will pose majestically when a camera is aimed his way, even if you just pretend to hold a camera. He’s an avid swimmer as well. Ron says that Penny, on the other hand, sinks like a rock, although she will consent to riding around on a float with Fiyero, if the mood strikes her.

The Riveras have continued their animal loving tradition by choosing the Humane Society of Charlotte as one of the Panther’s top three community partnerships. In 2013 they put together a calendar featuring Panther players and animals from the Humane Society of Charlotte, and this past year produced the “Rescue Recipes Tailgating Cookbook.”

When not raising money for community events, Ron finds time to coach the Panthers with a strength and steadiness that has earned him both the respect of his players and the well-deserved NFL Coach of the Year award. Better yet, it has earned Charlotte front row seats in the Bank of America stadium, watching an exciting young team come into its own.

As for Fiyero and Penny, they will have their own front row seats in front of the TV at the Rivera house, fighting over sticks and waiting to resume their roles as the beloved dogs of the first family of the Carolina Panthers.

Penny settled into her full-time job as the alpha

dog, spending long hours finding new ways

to tease Fiyero.

—Shawna Carpenter

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Fiyero is well aware of his royal blood and will pose majestically when a camera is aimed his way, even if you just pretend to hold

a camera.

When not raising money for community events, Ron finds

time to coach the Panthers with a strength and steadiness that has earned him both the respect of his players and the well-deserved NFL Coach of

the Year award.

Photo Credit - Tribune Content Agency LLC / Alamy

Ingredients4 pounds chicken wing pieces (about 32 wings) 1/4 cup cloister honey1 cup garlic-green onion teriyaki sauce2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon lime zest 3 cloves garlic, slicedGarnishes: sesame seeds, sliced green onions, sliced fresno chile peppers

Prep Time: 15 Minutes | Total Time: 4 Hours, 15 Minutes

Directions1. Preheat broiler with oven rack 3 inches from heat. Place wings on a lightly greased rack in a lightly greased broiler pan.

2. Broil 14 minutes or until browned. Transfer wings to a lightly greased 5-qt. slow cooker.

3. Stir together honey and remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Pour honey mixture over wings. Cover and cook on Low 4 hours.

STICKY ASIAN GINGER WINGS

In partnership with Ron & Stephanie

Rivera

RESCUERECIPESTailgating Cookbook

Cooking for a Good CauseStephanie and Ron Rivera partnered with the Humane Society of Charlotte to produce “Rescue Recipes Tailgating Cookbook,” featuring recipes from Charlotte’s most popular restaurants: Baku, Bonterra, Bubble, Del Friscos, Dresslers, Fahrenheit, Firebirds, Gallery, Illios Noche, Napa on Providence, The Palm, The Wine Shop at Rivergate, and Zebra. Also highlighted throughout the book are photos of Panther players posing with dogs and cats — alumni from the Humane Society.

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We think it’s a great opportunity to have a professional NBA player adopt an animal from the

shelter and talk about the positive experience — how shelter animals are great pets.“

”— Shelly Moore, President/CEO of the Humane Society of Charlotte

Photo © Charlotte Hornets

making THE CUT

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael shines the spotlight on animal rescue by choosinga puppy from the Humane Society of Charlotte.

Pip, a wiggly puppy with a lot of potential, was the first and only draft pick of Hornets player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in a televised event featuring a crowd of barking contenders, held at the Humane Society of Charlotte.

As Michael perused the dogs, Pip showed all of the rambunctious energy of his possible heritage: Welsh Corgi with hints of terrier. Estimated to be about 8 to 10 weeks old, Pip had been left in a crate in the parking lot of the Humane Society.

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It’s my job as governor to pursue common sense solutions to ensure that dogs have fundamental

protections against cruelty.“ ”— Governor Pat McCrory

A Lab rescued from Uptown Charlotte now holds the title of “"First Dog" of North Carolina.

Pat & Ann McCrory

MOE McCRORY FINDS

Photos © Steve Lindenman

homeHIS WAY

Moe, whose full name is Elmo Cadbury McCrory, is the beloved pet of Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory, one of the most dog-friendly couples ever to grace the state. (Elmo is the favorite Sesame Street character of a grand-nephew, hence the shortened version — Moe.) For the last four years, he’s been a healthy, happy dog who slurps bottled water and has his own Facebook page. But what his early life was like is anybody’s guess.

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Aside from bringing Charlotteans the news of the day, Maureen works tirelessly on behalf of nonprofits and is known for her rapport with the community she serves.

There is always room for a rescue in the O'Boyle household.FULL house

Maureen O’Boyle

WBTV News Anchor Maureen O’Boyle is no stranger to a full house.

The Charlotte native was born eighth in a family of 10 children and grew up with dogs in the house, always.

Maureen says she remembers her dad coming home from work and exclaiming, “Good Lord! Is that another dog in the backyard?” Her mother would then explain why this particular dog, having been found on the roadside or abandoned by strangers, would now be a part of the O’Boyle family, at least for the time being.

Photo © Steven LindenmanPhoto © Tony McMehan102 103

I’ve always been passionate about and love writing, so being the editor of Pride magazine is

a natural transition to working with writers and helping them craft stories that fit our readership.“

”— Lashawnda Becoats

KING Louis REIGNS

Lashawnda Becoats has been in Charlotte for nearly 20 years, and she is an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word: she’s a life coach, co-owns Darling Media Group, writes an occasional column for the Charlotte Observer, and is now the editor-in-chief of Pride Magazine.

But her pride and joy, as she so willingly admits, is her 2-year-old “Shorkie” named Louis Francois Vuitton.

After working as a style editor for a local website in Charlotte, Lashawnda served as the Charlotte editor of Uptown Magazine, based in New York. She then worked for the Charlotte Observer as a graphic designer for 11 years.

Lashawnda Becoats

Although he refuses to wear clothes, Louis Francois Vuitton still lives up to his royal name.

Photos © Alison Henry

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