ABOVE: Sir George, an English Bulldog, spends time greeting visitors at his owner Karen McGaffey’s business, The Chop Shop Salon, located at the Marshalltown Mall. Here he gives a fist bump to McGaffey. AT LEFT: Sir George has a way of making friends with everyone he meets. Here he lets visitor Dennis Kibbee pet him. AT RIGHT: Sir George is a favorite with children. Here he chats with a young visitor to the shop, named Paisley.

“People just flock to him. He’s the mall mascot.”

These are the words of Karen McGaffey, owner of The Chop Shop Salon at the Marshalltown Mall. Her two-year-old English Bulldog Sir George is a mellow and friendly personality that attracts customers and mall walkers alike.

The dog not only greets and followers salon clients around, he sometimes wanders out of the shop, looking for new friends.

“He likes carrots, and some people bring them out to the mall with them and feed him,” said Melissa “Jersey” Marks, who brings her clients to the mall to interact with the canine.

McGaffey said when she adopted the dog from an online rescue site, she hadn’t intended to bring him to work everyday. At one point, Sir George had to undergo surgery to remove a toy he had swallowed, requiring his owner to keep an eye on him during the recovery process. It didn’t take long however for her and her staff to notice how the dog’s presence has a welcoming and positive impact on those who encounter him.

“He just makes people happy and he’s so cool,” McGaffey said.

Because of the dog’s easy-going manner, his owner was able to get him therapy dog certified, and thus, allow him to come to work with her on a regular basis.

A unique title such Sir George begs the question: what is the origin of his name?

“I got the name George from ‘The Abominable Snow Rabbit’ Looney Tunes episode where the abominable snowman grabs Daffy Duck saying, ‘I will name him George, and I will hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him’,” McGaffey explained. “Sir is because he’s English (the breed of dog).”

Marks, who works as a direct care professional at Lutheran Services in Iowa, said she and fellow colleagues enjoy bringing their clients to The Chop Shop Salon because of how well the canine connects with anyone and everyone.

“He’s great with people with disabilities and veterans with PTSD,” Marks explained. “Some clients may be wary at first, but then they all love him. Clients in other [social service] agencies like CIRSI and REM also like to come out and see Sir George.”

Sir George comes to work with McGaffey Monday-Friday. At home, he rules the roost.

“He’s very calm and laid-back at work, but he’s like a naughty toddler at home,” McGaffey laughed. “But he’s very sweet.”

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at: 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com