By Katie Scarvey
kscarvey@salisburypost.com
Denise and Dan Schindelholz are known locally for being the owners of the Farmhouse restaurant. But what many people might not know about them is how devoted they are to their dogs — and dogs in general.
Last year they entered a photo of their poodles, Jack and Jill, dressed for a birthday party, with steak in front of them, for a page-a-day calendar called 365 Dogs, a product of Workman Publishing Company. Workman says it receives thousands of submissions of pet photos each year for its calendars..
They were surprised when they got a call this year asking permission for the photo to be featured in another calendar: Workman Publishing’s Bad Dog — which has the subheading “365 Outspoken, Indecent and overdressed dogs.”
They didn’t know until they got the calendar that there would be a caption for the photo.
The Nov. 4 entry features a photo of Jill, a 3-year-old standard poodle who loves to play Frisbee, sitting in a chair and wearing a pink birthday hat and a bib that says “birthday princess.”
Denise says that they always have annual birthday parties for both Jack and Jill (Jan. 3 and July 21, respectively), for which they dress the dogs up and let them share a steak.
“We’re crazy that way,” she says.
The caption reads: “I’d like to make a wish that you put me up for adoption.” Ouch.
Denise thought the caption was particularly ironic since she is on the board of Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Jack and Jill are featured in the this year’s Faithful Friends calendar, a fundraiser for the organization. It is available for sale at the Farmhouse Restaurant, the Stitchin’ Post, Critters and Antiquarius. The calendars are $10 and proceeds benefit Faithful Friends.
She got involved with rescuing animals, she said, “just for the love of them.”
“When you come home, no matter what kind of mood you’re in, they’re so happy to see you. They’re just a joy.”
“We have fun with them. We totally enjoy them, every day of our lives. Our kids are grown, so they’re our children now.”
The Bad Dog Calendar retails for $13.99. For information or to order, go to www.workman.com.