MCLEANSVILLE, N.C. -- Work with a dog, not like a dog.  Allow me to explain...

The saying, "He's a bull in a china shop," is referring to a person who is ill suited to some sort of delicate work or project. Like say, you wouldn't have boxer and convicted rapist Mike Tyson be a child psychologist. Or you wouldn't have a 200-pound chimp on sedatives babysit your children. 

Another example, you wouldn't hire me to prepare your taxes. All of those are the proverbial "bull in a china shop." (Or the saying can also be referring to a large 1,500-pound bull romping about, crushing fine china under hoof in an actual china shop.)

I mention that because this story ironically is about a china shop and something you just wouldn't bring into said china shop -- dogs. Dozens and dozens of dogs, and cats and a few rabbits and a snake, maybe a ferret, whatever ... there they are, lounging about, in a china shop.

Granted it's one of the largest china shops on earth, but they do, in fact, sell china and silverware and stemware and the likes. It's fancy stuff! The company in McLeansville, N.C., near Greensboro, is called Replacements LTD.

They have millions, I repeat, MILLIONS of pieces of china and silver and crystal in a 400,000-square-foot facility. It's perhaps the largest company of its kind in the world. If you need one piece or two or 20 of a particular china pattern these folks probably have it. Even if the pattern hasn't been in production for 30 years. Replacements LTD probably has what you need. If not, they'll find it!

So what about the dogs?  Well, the owner and founder of the company, Bob Page, thinks workers work better if they can take their pet to work (I'm not making this up).  That is genuinely how he feels. And it seems to be working. Employees love it!  Anyone who works at Replacements LTD can bring whatever pet they own to work all day every day!  How sweet is that?

In case you're wondering, accidents happen. But we saw only one yellow puddle on the floor in the warehouse on our visit, but it was quickly dealt with. So there you go... a bull... dog in a china shop? Sure! Why not? Watch our story and have a laugh or two.

Here's their website: www.replacements.com.