Town Crier Articles

 

We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. Immanuel Kant

 

Amanda Wilbourne received her first dog at the age of 18; and Roxy, a Welsh Corgi, soon became the love of her life.  Roxy was the catalyst, and animals thereafter became a major focus in Amanda's life.  In time, that focus became a drive, became a passion—a passion that has endured.  At 20, she thought it would be fun to open a shop devoted to dog care and carried through with the idea by opening up a shop called Nautical Dog, riverside in Mattaponi.  She eventually moved that shop to New Town, keeping the name, the focus, and the passion.  That move was 14 years ago, and Nautical Dog, Main Street New Town, has, in every way, thrived--a testimony to Amanda's good will and dedication and to the community's love for its animals.  New Town Main Street has seen many merchants and a number of big retail chains come and go over the years; but Nautical Dog, with unique pet items and healthy food choices, lovingly selected and well-priced, has remained.  But more than remain, the store has gone through some amazing avatars that have endeared it even more to New Town, Williamsburg, and to the county-at-large.

 

 

Due to the great success of her venture, Amanda expanded her business in 2018, moving out of the store’s original space for larger quarters next door.  Nautical Dog became Nautical Dog Pet Market and Dog Wash, adding an area equipped with indoor washing stations, where resident dog and cat lovers could come and wash their fur babies in a safe and loving environment.  The washing stations were and are a big hit with locals; but in truth, the business success of Nautical Dog has become the lesser story, because Amanda’s vision was even greater.  Her desire to "give back" to the community by helping those animals without loving owners--the disabled, the challenging, the overlooked—was very strong; and the Dog Wash became a means to satiate it.  Now, every 3rd weekend of every month is "Clean for a Cause Weekend" at Nautical Dog, with $5 from every self-serve dog wash going to an animal charity. The store holds food drives throughout the year for different animal rescues as well, such as the pumpkin and gourd collection after Thanksgiving, last year, the drop-offs going to a local farm animal rescue—and now, on the 2nd Saturday of every month, Nautical Dog hosts on-site pet adoptions with The Heritage Humane Society. 

 

But Amanda’s heart is large and her vision ever growing with regards to meeting the needs and securing the well-being of animals.  A remarkable reality, given she is a very busy wife and mother of two young children--Aidan, 6 and Charlee, 3--as well as being an amazing entrepreneur. Oh, yes, and Amanda brings her work home with her.  She is also mom to 11 animals, at present, 5 dogs and 6 cats, all of them rescues and one a hospice foster dog. She has a true heart for rescues, especially senior and hospice-care animals; so, it’s not surprising that her desire to help animals has not ended with the dog wash, site adoptions, or food drives.  Welcome Schwartzy’s Cat Cove!

 

The most popular pet in America today is the dog, followed by the cat, followed by the domestic rabbit. Surprisingly, given the ease of its care and how unobtrusive a pet it can be in the life of its owner, the cat is the most abandoned animal in American shelters and rescues today. (The runner-up is the domestic rabbit.)  When the space that housed the original Nautical Dog became available, Amanda envisioned that adjacent space becoming a haven to take in adoptable cats, to showcase them to patrons who, perhaps via a loving impulse, would take them home and love them forever. Named after Amanda’s first store cat, Schwartzy,  Schwartzy’s Cat Cove, playing on the nautical theme, opened on July 16th of this year, marvelously recreating for patrons an undersea kingdom thanks to Amanda’s clever design and the construction talents  of her husband, Kyle, owner of KMW Construction in Toano. To date, the Cove has found loving homes for 54 cats. In every way, the dream has been realized and New Town and Greater Williamsburg are all the better for it.  The Cove kitties are provided by Heritage Humane and remain at the Cove until their new owners find them.  “By taking in cats from Heritage Humane, Heritage is then able to take in animals from other shelters, elsewhere.” Quite simply, it's a lovely domino effect.  Amanda’s great kindness just keeps on giving.

 

Cove kitties come and go every week, and there are usually anywhere between 8-15 cats at any given time at The Cove.  They are silly and sweet, adorable—and waiting.  Stop by to visit.  It’s a magical place that has truly enriched New Town —and you never know, a new friend may be waiting there for you.