Fetching Good Time

By TOM BRENNAN The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 5, 2007

RIVERVIEW - There is nothing better than hanging out with your buds and having a cold one.

Provided the bowls are full.

Luckily for Murphy, his owner, Jeff Dodd, made sure he had plenty of ice water, and servers kept the ceramic drinking dishes filled from carafes.

Dodd and his yellow Labrador were among the scores of dogs and their humans attending the monthly Yappy Hour at Mojitos Grill in the Winthrop development at the southeast corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Providence Road.

Dodd is a Mojitos regular, and Murphy is becoming one at Yappy Hour.

"He likes being around all the other dogs and people," Dodd said. "It is more fun than being in the house by himself."

On the last Wednesday of every month, the street in front of the restaurant is closed. Tables and chairs are moved in, and live music is offered for canines and their companions.

Hours during summer are 6 to 8:30 p.m. The timetable is moved up 30 minutes during winter.

The idea was brewed over a pitcher of sangria shared by Mojitos owner Dallas Owens and Shannon Cloversettle, who with her husband, Jim, owns the Happy Paws & Tails pet specialty store at the center.

"There are not a lot of places people can enjoy a meal, beverages and entertainment and bring their dogs," Cloversettle said. "We wanted to create a pet-friendly environment."

It was just what Deidre Chopoorian of Tampa was looking for to share with Gypsy, her 3-year-old German shepherd.

"It is a good time, good food, good friends and you get to meet a lot of nice dogs," she said. "Gypsy was a little standoffish at first, but now when you say Yappy Hour she starts wagging her tail."

Dave Collins frequents Mojitos with Dodd, and his friend persuaded him to bring his miniature dachshunds, Maggie and Woody.

"We just want to meet other people with dogs," he said. "I think once they settle down, it will be fun."

Jojo Conley has attended every Yappy Hour since they began last September with her papillon, Sunshine.

"She has so much fun," Conley said. "I start telling her three or four days ahead of time, and she now knows what Yappy Hour means."

It isn't just for fun. During each session, money is raised for a designated rescue group or no-kill shelter.

Last month's feature group was the Siberian Husky Rescue of Florida.

"This gives us a chance to get our name out and let people know we exist," said Peggy Wright, the group's leader. "And all the money raised will go to paying the veterinarian bills of the dogs."

Mojitos and Happy Paws & Tails match the money raised at the event each month.

Cloversettle said the monthly take runs between $200 and $400.

"We figured these groups can use all the extra help they can get," she said.

Next month the proceeds will go to Critters Adoption Rescue Effort (CARE), a shelter in Ruskin.

Candy Patchin said she doesn't mind waiting tables during Yappy Hour.

"The only real difference is you have to walk around all the leashes," she said. "Sometimes it gets a little noisy, but the music drowns it out."

Cloversettle said there are few rules.

"Dogs have to be leashed and well-behaved," she said. "After that, we leave it to the owners."

Jody and J.R. Roberts like bringing their Brussels griffons, Scotty and Chachi.

"It is such good socialization for the dogs," Jody Roberts said. "It is an environment we can enjoy and they can enjoy."

Mojitos owner Owens said that was the atmosphere they wanted.

"It is totally different for the Brandon area," he said. "It was a lot of work up front, and we weren't sure it would work. But it has really become an event a lot of people look forward to."

That includes Sandy Work, who attends with her chocolate Labrador, Jake.

"I like being able to throw the dog into the truck and go out with him," she said.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.