I now know for certain that I’m not the only person who has had to tackle the problem of a dog covered in liquid filth.

In response to last week’s column, I’ve heard from many people who’ve had to de-stink their canine after encounters with skunks, sewage and other breathtaking substances.

Among the most interesting suggestions were rinsing the animal with a solution of cold coffee (recommended by a certified chemist who said the coffee causes an enzyme reaction that helps to remove the organic components), and lathering the dog in toothpaste and rinsing it out. The toothpaste method is also reported to be effective in removing odors, including onions and fish, from your hands.

Along 16th Street

It would be nearly impossible to drive along the block of 16th Street between Winchester and Greenup avenues in Ashland without noticing the improvements and changes to storefronts there.

With a front-window painting inspired by a picturesque postcard and a pair of brightly colored chairs near the front door, one of the “new kids on the block” is Holly B’s at 212 16th St.

Owner Brooke Elswick-Robinson started the business four years ago as The Copy Collection and had reached the point where she had to decide to expand or fold. “Plan B wasn’t an option for me,” she explained.

The colorful shop is filled with so many different things I can’t begin to list them all, but includes personalized jewelry, replica designer pieces, Ashland-themed gift items, as well as collegiate shirts and tailgating supplies and a large supply of football-related items for the upcoming season.

The shop’s hours aren’t yet set, and the owner is referring everyone to the Web site www.hollybjng.com for the monthly schedule. For more information, call (606) 329-2588

A few doors down

If you happen to need a Ghillie suit, you can find one inside the front door at the former Army/Navy Store at 236 16th St., along with another incredible collection of items which defy easy description. The shop, recently purchased by John and Liz Jackson, will be called S-T-A Safe Duty Gear & Surplus.

The upstairs is being renovated to serve as a training space for self-defense and mixed martial arts classes taught by John Jackson, whose credentials are impressive (to put it mildly — drop by and ask him about his professional experiences from Hollywood to Langley, Va.). If all goes according to plan, the classes will begin in about two weeks.

Jackson said he also hopes to have an expanded line of duty gear for police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs in the shop within the next couple of weeks. For more information, call (606) 324-0250.

One more door down

The owner of Patsy’s at 240 16th Street abducted me from the sidewalk this week to get a glimpse of everything she has added to the shop since my last visit.

The additions are significant (again, too much to list) and cover a wide range of prices. You can call (606) 324-1228 for more information, although a visit to the shop is really the only way to understand what Patsy has to offer.

Wine & Cheese

The Tri-State SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management Chapter 420) will host its annual Wine & Cheese Networking Meeting between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at 1025 12th St., Huntington (beside Julian’s Market). Shelly Trent will be the guest speaker.

The R.S.V.P. deadline for the event has passed, although you can likely still confirm a seat by sending an e-mail to Deidre Bradley at deidre.bradley@cchi.org or call (304) 526-2503.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.