'Working Dog' Lives up to Her Name As Labrador Hired As Shopkeeper

A family-run shop has gone viral with their unusual shopkeeper: a Labrador retriever who fetches money from customers.

Linda Finnegan, 52, runs the Finnegans Grave Awakening tour in Ireland, showcasing some of the more unique sides to Ireland than the average tourist will see.

And one stop includes a small corner shop in Julianstown, County Meath, with a unique staff member: Belle, the dog.

Finnegan told Newsweek the first time she went to the shop, she tripped over a bag of kindling and came face to face with the smiling dog, who then took her money—and quickly became a highlight of her local tours, which she calls "secret hideouts."

In a video shared to her TikTok account @finnegansgraveawakening, named after her tour business, Finnegan prepares to pay for her purchases by giving money to the senior pup.

Belle is waiting eagerly behind the counter, barking, tail wagging furiously with a smile on her face, and standing with her paws up against the table.

And as Finnegan hands her a €20 ($21) note, Bell takes it in her mouth and walks away.

Belle the Labrador retriever plays an important role in her family-run shop. She takes money from the customers, and takes her job very seriously. Belle the Labrador retriever plays an important role in her family-run shop. She takes money from the customers, and takes her job very seriously. TikTok @finnegansgraveawakening

Finnegan then calls her back, as she has a second note for her—and Belle returns, grabbing the second note and returning to her owner who is sitting behind the counter, keeping an eye on her four-legged shopkeeper.

"The Irish working dog," she wrote in the caption.

TikTok users naturally fell head over heels for the hardworking Lab retriever, with Finnegan's video boasting over 180,000 views since being shared on December 15.

One user commented: "GIVE ME THE MONEY WOMAN THERES TRADE TO BE DONE!"

"Not to be dramatic, but I'd die for Bell," another declared, while one wrote: "I've no idea what Belle is selling, but I'll have three of them, and can she deliver?"

Tour host Finnegan said she is "not normally a TikTok person at all," but recently began sharing videos of her routes on the site, where Belle's videos soared in popularity.

She told Newsweek she believes Belle is so popular, both online and to those who visit the shop, because she "brings you back to your childhood," when quirky, family-run corner shops were more common than modern-day chain stores.

"It brings you back to being a child, being giddy and just no rules," she said.

In the video, Belle barks eagerly as she waits to take Linda Finnegan's money. After taking the first note, she doubles back and picks up the second. In the video, Belle barks eagerly as she waits to take Linda Finnegan's money. After taking the first note, she doubles back and picks up the second. TikTok @finnegansgraveawakening

It's not just taking money that Belle does either, as Finnegan revealed she was once in the shop when a milkman was delivering an invoice—and Belle promptly ripped the bill to shreds.

"Dogs are like that, never in a bad mood and very, very loyal to their owners. It lifts the spirits and warms the heart," Finnegan, whose tours include stop-offs at spiritual and sacred sites in Ireland, told Newsweek.

Labrador retrievers, known for their friendly and outgoing nature, bond strongly with family and can show friendliness to strange dogs and humans, according to the American Kennel Club—making the breed a perfect choice for customer-facing roles.

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