Winter 2025

Working Dogs BY MICHAEL CHATFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLI ULDALL 98 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 5 Toby Y ou’d be hard pressed to find a tighter bond between canine and human than Dean Kasparian and this 14-year-old maltichon (Maltese/bichon frisé mix). “Toby’s a very special family member, with me wherever I go.” Kasparian named his car concierge business,Toby01 Motorworks, after him and the vanity plate on his (or Toby’s) Ferrari bears his handle as well. Kasparian loves cars but, “Offer me 30 Ferraris for Toby and I would turn you down flat.” dino C ypress Inn General Manager Joseph Violi’s hospitality career has taken him to many hotels. In his five years, Dino has worked at 19 hotels.While his latest posting at this iconic and world-famous dog- friendly Carmel property is as good as it gets, he doesn’t get to spend as much time there as he might like. “He typically goes to doggie day care because of my busy schedule,” Violi says. “In addition, he’s super energetic and tires out every dog he meets while playing.”Violi says hospitality work can be stressful, and at the end of a long day, Dino’s unconditional loyalty is a comfort. “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” —Ben Williams