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Lowery Jewelers plans Sir Winston's 10th; sale benefits dog rescue

By DAWN HANKINS - dhankins@t-g.com
Posted 2/13/21

Local jewelers Billy and Sharon Lowery said recently that before most of their customers shop, they generally ask about their mascot and adopted dog child, "Sir Winston." With the dark-eyed, royal breed spaniel about to turn 10, the Lowerys plan to sweeten this decennial celebration in a couple of ways which should benefit their community...

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Lowery Jewelers plans Sir Winston's 10th; sale benefits dog rescue

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Local jewelers Billy and Sharon Lowery said recently that before most of their customers shop, they generally ask about their mascot and adopted dog child, "Sir Winston." With the dark-eyed, royal breed spaniel about to turn 10, the Lowerys plan to sweeten this decennial celebration in a couple of ways which should benefit their community.

Wait for it . . . To pay it forward for the support they received during the pandemic, the Lowerys are offering a 40 percent discount off in-store merchandise during a 16-hour stretch, Feb. 18-20. (Exclusions include brands Arthur Court, Susan Shaw and estate jewelry.) A percentage of sales will benefit the non profit New Destiny Dog Rescue.

Billy said the support the store has received in these uncertain times, particularly at Christmas, has been overwhelming. Referring to COVID-19, he said it is so true that God can "take bad things and make something good come from it."

"It was our most profitable Christmas ever," the veteran jeweler said with emotion. "I think more people decided to shop at home. We are blessed."

While he and Sharon would like to take all the credit for the charm associated with their jewelry boutique, located at 768 North Main at Merchant Walk, Billy said he must give credit where it's due. Sharon agrees that Sir Winston has endeared many, many customers, especially Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration guests.

"He has become a real interest with our customers over the years," said Billy. "People stop by to see him from time to time. Our regular guests at Lowery Jewelers ask for him daily and he is always happy to greet them and get his belly rub."

With a smile, Billy said he must admit those shimmering diamonds in his showcase are great crowd pleasers too. But, he knows his fur-child is highly endeared by this community, so they decided his royal birthday event was a good time to pay it forward.

"We want to do all we can through this 40 percent off promotion to assist our customers, but we especially want to bring attention to New Destiny, which has been a great asset to our community," said Sharon.

So repeating the party from 5 years ago, the Lowerys said they're planning to roll out the red carpet during their mid-February events, which includes even serving cookies shaped like dog bones. While the guest of honor is now considered a senior (in dog years) and moves a little slower in 2021, the jewelry store owners believe he still has a lot of love to give his public.

"The last time we did this, people brought him gifts," Billy said while holding Sir Winston, who of course fashions a shimmering, monogramed collar.

Sir Winston's toy dog breed became really popular in the 1980s, with President Ronald Reagan's family owning one named Rex, who lived to be 13. The Cavalier's all-around beauty, regal grace, and even temper mark the toy dog as one of dogdom's noblemen, according to the American Kennel Club.

A pure breed, which still ranks 18th out of 200 for the most popular of AKC, stands no more than 13 inches high. Lowery said no doubt, Sir Winston, like most Cavalier King Charles dogs, draws you in with his sweet, gentle, melting expression-one emanating from large, round eyes. Another trademark, and seemingly most of customers' favorite, is his silky, richly-colored coat/ears which everyone wants to stroke.

According to the AKC, Cavaliers may be aristocrats, but they gladly descend from their royal high horse for a backyard frolic or a squirrel chase. Typically, they get along nicely with children and other dogs. AKC states that Cavaliers do equally well with active owners and homebodies; they can be upbeat athletes or shameless couch potatoes, depending on an owner's lifestyle.

The Lowerys said they take Sir Winston everywhere with them, with the exception of church. Such a great lap dog, Sharon said he'd probably do just fine there as well, if they did.

They recall how they came by their pure breed pup from a local doctor in 2011, when she had a litter of Cavalier King Charles puppies for sale. "I had first seen a Cavalier King Charles at the horse show."

Of course one thing that immediately caught his eye, he said, was the dog was wearing pearls. The rest is history.

"I never intended to have a house dog. We fell in love with him. He was the runt."

The empty-nesters note that adopting Sir Winston into the family has brought a lot of joy into their lives. "He's so calm and loving. Now, we can't imagine our lives without him."

As a supporter of the New Destiny Dog Rescue, Billy said he will be spreading the word during his mid February promotion about how there are still a lot of other breeds out there available for adoption. Scooping up Sir Winston as he slept quietly in his bed in the warm office, he said it saddens them how there are still so many lonely dogs waiting for a good family to love.