Fall 2023

Working Dogs BY MICHAEL CHATFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLI ULDALL 86 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 3 Billie T his 3-year-old Chihuahua mix loves to hang out with her owner Matthew Talley at Lynn’s Arcade (aka “Pinball Parlor and Can Slangery”). The flashing lights and ringing bells of the multitude of pinball machines in the Seaside arcade don’t faze her one bit. “She’s super chill,” Talley says. “She mostly just sleeps in her crate among all the noise.” Talley also maintains machines in several peninsula area brew pubs and Billie accompanies him on beer runs to those locations. No word on whether she samples the products. Poppy O ne might not consider a high-energy breed such as an Australian Shepherd to be a comforting influence on physical therapy patients—especially one who is a mere puppy at one year old. “She helps patients who might be a little nervous about the process,” says Kelsey Nakata, owner of Currents Physical Therapy and Wellness in Carmel. “Poppy helps them to attain balance and a sense of calm.” Poppy loves Carmel Beach and Nakata takes her there every morning to run and play before heading to work. “If a dog will not come to you after hav- ing looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.” ~ Woodrow Wilson