Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/668677
21 Oil Prophets Although "Take Your Dog to Work Day" is generally observed in June, at McGuire Oil in Mobile, it's observed every day. Jim McGuire wouldn't dream of going to the office without a pocket full of dog treats and his trusty companions, Winston and Hobeau. Jim and his companions make the rounds to greet the dogs of McGuire Oil - 13 at last count. It all started years ago, when Jim would bring his yellow Lab to work and his son, Ham, brought his own chocolate Lab. When Jim's daughter saw a dirty, shaggy, matted dog wandering down Dauphin Street in heavy traffic, she knew just what to do. She managed to pick him up and deliver him to Lynne Winfield, McGuire's accountant for over 25 years. Once the dog was cleaned up in the bathroom sink, Lynne fell in love. She says, "I took him to the groomer, and he came back as a French Poodle named Cotton". After discovering that Cotton was a French Poodle, Jim decided he had to have him, so he "stole" him from Lynne and renamed him Hobeau. Hobeau is a fixture at Jim's desk, often sitting in his lap or on the floor beside Winston. Ham McGuire grew up at McGuire Oil - working in nearly every area of the company since the early years. He has done such varied jobs as loading and unloading 55-gallon drums (without a forklift), and driving the oil trucks to various locations. Ham is now responsible for administration and operations at McGuire Oil. He supports dealers with Chevron imaging and all aspects of store operations. These days he brings his dachshund, Camo, to work. For such a small dog, Camo has made his mark at McGuire; Ham says "All the other dogs have a scar or two from him." Lynne Winfield started bringing her 9-year-old "store-bought" Maltese, Wilson, and his sister Gia, to work with her. Lynne remembers that Gia "was rescued right off the euthanasia table, and after 7 years I'm sill fostering her." The pair often sit at Lynne's side while she does in-house accounting for the oil and fuel transport areas of the businesses. Lynne's daughter, Lindsey Dunbar, has been with McGuire Oil for 4 years, working in many areas of the business, including the drivers' payroll. Her dogs Jack and Jill are rescues that walked into McGuire's parking lot, starved and in need of immediate attention. Wally joined the family when someone called from a Wal-Mart in Lucedale, Mississippi to report that a stray had been found. Lynne drove to Lucedale and picked up a pitiful puppy with hair dragging the floor. Once he was cleaned up and found to be in good shape, he was adopted by Lindsey. Lynne says, "Wally is the best one of the bunch. He was a good save. He gets along with everyone." Jim McGuire with Hobeau Lindsey Dunbar with Wally, Jack & Jill