Sully the Westie: SouthState’s Smallest Team Member
8/22/2024
It’s no surprise that National Dog Day is celebrated by dog owners around the country. We all love those floppy ears, wagging tails and wet noses. Even if you don’t own a dog, chances are you’ve watched a dog video (or 10) in the past 24 hours.
Man’s best friend, or in the case of SouthState’s Rebecca Malinowski, woman’s best friend, brings joy and playfulness to the homes of millions. Studies show that dogs boost mental health, lower stress, bring structure and encourage more physical activity.
Malinowski, a digital marketing specialist, agrees that her life is infinitely better since adopting Sully, a 6-year-old West Highland White Terrier.
“I always say Sully is an emotionally intelligent boy. He can tell if I’m stressed or busy, and I rely on him to help balance my stress and anxiety levels,” she says. “One look at Sully and my mood is completely improved!”
When looking for a pet to call her own in 2018, Malinowski needed a hypoallergenic pal. Sully fit the bill perfectly, and the two quickly became a “bonded pair,” she says.
Named after hero pilot Sully Sullenberger, the pint-sized pooch makes friends wherever he goes. What he lacks in stature, he more than makes up for it in style and swagger – he even has white hair and mustache like Captain Sully.
Remote work continues its upward trend since the pandemic, with pets enjoying the benefits of having their owners at home during the day. Malinowski adopted Sully while earning her master’s degree online from Marist College and now works remotely on SouthState’s marketing team.
“He absolutely loves that I am home all day with him, and I love having peace of mind that his needs are met during the day. We are truly attached at the hip,” she says.
While Malinowski lays out customer email journeys or hops on a team huddle, Sully typically keeps an eye on her from his favorite spot on the back of the couch. He listens intently during video calls, rarely barks while someone is talking and is always ready for a short walk.
“Sully is the best coworker I could ask for! He knows when to stay quiet or when mom needs to focus, but he’s always ready to go for a walk or to the dog park when I need a break or some fresh air,” she says.
The constant companions’ schedules mesh quite well. Sully sleeps in while Malinowski readies for the day, they take walks, and he makes sure her work-life balance stays intact by requesting dinner promptly at 4 p.m. Of course, he’s had treats throughout the day – red bell pepper, raw cauliflower or cheese, his favorite.
Man’s best friend, or in the case of SouthState’s Rebecca Malinowski, woman’s best friend, brings joy and playfulness to the homes of millions. Studies show that dogs boost mental health, lower stress, bring structure and encourage more physical activity.
Sully’s Story
Malinowski, a digital marketing specialist, agrees that her life is infinitely better since adopting Sully, a 6-year-old West Highland White Terrier. “I always say Sully is an emotionally intelligent boy. He can tell if I’m stressed or busy, and I rely on him to help balance my stress and anxiety levels,” she says. “One look at Sully and my mood is completely improved!”
When looking for a pet to call her own in 2018, Malinowski needed a hypoallergenic pal. Sully fit the bill perfectly, and the two quickly became a “bonded pair,” she says.
Named after hero pilot Sully Sullenberger, the pint-sized pooch makes friends wherever he goes. What he lacks in stature, he more than makes up for it in style and swagger – he even has white hair and mustache like Captain Sully.
A Constant Companion
Remote work continues its upward trend since the pandemic, with pets enjoying the benefits of having their owners at home during the day. Malinowski adopted Sully while earning her master’s degree online from Marist College and now works remotely on SouthState’s marketing team. “He absolutely loves that I am home all day with him, and I love having peace of mind that his needs are met during the day. We are truly attached at the hip,” she says.
While Malinowski lays out customer email journeys or hops on a team huddle, Sully typically keeps an eye on her from his favorite spot on the back of the couch. He listens intently during video calls, rarely barks while someone is talking and is always ready for a short walk.
“Sully is the best coworker I could ask for! He knows when to stay quiet or when mom needs to focus, but he’s always ready to go for a walk or to the dog park when I need a break or some fresh air,” she says.
The constant companions’ schedules mesh quite well. Sully sleeps in while Malinowski readies for the day, they take walks, and he makes sure her work-life balance stays intact by requesting dinner promptly at 4 p.m. Of course, he’s had treats throughout the day – red bell pepper, raw cauliflower or cheese, his favorite.
A Conscious Pet Owner
Even the most frugal person can’t help but spoil their pets. Like any other long-term purchase, adopting a dog must come with budgeting for food, toys, grooming, medication and vet visits. Sully gets the star treatment at his groomer, the same one frequented by Robert DeNiro’s dogs. Malinowski jokes that she doesn’t have to spend as much on new toys since Sully’s favorite toy, a stuffed llama, just gets “surgery” each time his head or arms come off.
“Owning a pet is definitely a great lesson in financial planning. I always set aside an extra set of funds to make sure he’s happy and healthy,” she adds.
Though Malinowski lives in Upstate New York, she frequently visits her parents in Leland, North Carolina. You can find them at the Dockside for dinner, Long Leaf Park or the Wilmington Riverwalk, or Oak Island beaches.
Sully is excited for these visits to North Carolina because he knows he will stop by the Leland branch and get treats from SouthState team members.
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