Familiar Faces - Klare Black and Suzi Hendrix

For seven years the Bowhaus in Gunbarrel has provided furry family members with daycare and boarding. While the pooches are playing with friends and relaxing in a safe environment, they're likely to spend time with two long-time employees, Klare Black and Suzi Hendrix. We wanted to learn more about these two familiar faces in the community.

Left hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - Where did you grow up, and how did Colorado become your home?

Klare Black (KB) - I'm the middle child of seven siblings, born and raised in northwest Iowa. I lived in Merrill, Des Moines and Johnston, Iowa until divorcing in 2004 when I moved to Gunbarrel. One of my best friends is Jerri Eidem Miller who has lived in Boulder since attending CU. So I decided to reinvent myself in Colorado and it was a wise move.

Suzi Hendrix (SH) - I was born in the cold northern tip of Wisconsin where my German immigrant father was tending to a dairy farm. My mom's father thought Germany was about dairy cows and therefore a good idea for his daughter's new husband to take over the dairy farm. Nothing was further from the truth for this bookkeeper-numbers man, so he moved our family to the suburbs of Chicago.

After graduating from high school, my main interest was to speak German. My astute father claimed in his heavy accent I would not learn German in the USA and sent me to a tiny village in Austria near Innsbruck for the entire summer. While in Europe, I decided I should attend college despite my childhood dream to be a stewardess and travel the exotic world on airplanes with a cute pillbox hat and white gloves.

I ended up in Gunnison, Colorado. In my wildest dreams I had no idea there was such a small, remote place with skiing so close in the USA. I was so happy to walk around the small campus and meet fellow classmates. Coming down a hill, I spotted some cute guys getting in a Fiat with the oval Italy sticker. Naturally, I asked which one was from Italy and my current husband lied to me saying he was. He's no more Italian than I am.

LHVC - What career path have you taken?

KB - I earned a master's degree in English from Iowa State University 30 years ago. For many years I worked in corporate communications in the financial and healthcare fields. When married, we owned an IT consulting company and many investment properties. I have destructed and constructed many houses.

I have three jobs now, all in Gunbarrel. My full time job of six plus years is with SDS [Automation] as an office manager. I also have a part-time job at Lift Chocolate and I just celebrated 11 years there. I have a part-time job at Bowhaus. This May will be my eighth anniversary there.

I have been called the queen of Gunbarrel by people when they learn of my three jobs. I might not be royalty, but I am a huge fan of Gunbarrel and Niwot.

SH - Being fluent in German was of interest to TWA, and I was hired in the mid-70's to fly international as the lead stewardess. I moved back to Gunnison and helped a lady open the first travel agency there. This led to us to move to Denver where I was transferred while working for Aspen Airways as a ticket agent. Continental Airlines called me away to work many positions and I finally finished as a flight attendant, fulfilling my dream career from early childhood.

I found new careers with local tour operators and all of these travel careers aided our lifestyle of traveling to destinations in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

We moved to Gunbarrel in 1999 and one January morning in 2013, I was walking to the post office and saw a "now hiring dog handlers" sign. I've been there since day one.

LHVC - Tell us about your work at Bowhaus.

KB - In spring 2013, I was walking my dogs at Twin Lakes and noticed the person ahead of me was wearing a Bowhaus hoodie. I caught up with her and introduced myself and asked whether she worked there. Her name was Suzi Hendrix and the rest is history. We have both worked at Bowhaus Boulder since the day it opened May 2013. I can't say enough about the joy all these dogs have added to my life.

My co-workers are kind and conscientious. The dog parents are great and of course, the dogs fill my heart. When we lose a dog because it moves away or passes away, we all grieve. The dogs at Bowhaus have been the highlight of my week for many years.

SH - I'm privileged to share a couple days a week with tiny loves that have the biggest hearts and personalities in Tiny Town. Sometimes I carry the 'not so sure about this place' ones around the room reassuring them, cuddling, and talking to them so they can see all the corners, windows, and smell their new friends. Photos are taken throughout the morning and soon the toys and balls come out for fetching. It's the most enriching days of my life.

LHVC - Do you have pets of your own?

KB - I have a stunning female Saluki named Banner and a male three-legged herding mix, named Trio. He doesn't have his front right leg. I was torn between naming him Trio or Chief Niwot. They, along with my boyfriend Bob, make up my family.

SH - During a brutally cold January, a furry fuzz ball puppy chose us as his family. Oscar, the husky-shepherd-collie mix, was my joy for 13 fun and blessed years. He lived to pull me on cross country skis in Gunnison. I always thought he would send another dog, but Oscar had other thoughts - a job at Bowhaus Boulder with every imaginable size and breed in crea