Geoff and Betty's story is part of a series on Hawkesbury people and their pets, featuring the work of Hawkesbury Gazette and Courier photographer, Geoff Jones.
IF you're a Richmond local you have probably seen Betty, the two-year-old British bulldog and mascot of Feel The Steel tattoo shop in Richmond.
Co-owner of the store, Geoff Deakin - 38 years old from North Richmond - brought Betty into the fold around two years ago, and as mascots go, Betty has proven her weight in gold, making a name for herself around town.
Mr Deakin and business partner Paulie Surridge moved the store from its old location in Park Mall to the main drag on Windsor Street at around the same time as Betty came to live with Mr Deakin.
Things have gone from strength-to-strength in the store, which now employs a total of five tattoo artists.
In the mornings, Betty sits on the front step, welcoming the new day - and the customers. So well behaved is Betty, that she doesn't move from her perch even when guide dogs walk past.
"She's heaps friendly," Mr Deakin said.
"She's a pretty smart dog, too. She rides a skateboard - she just jumps on it and rides it, you don't even have to push her.
"It's just a thing bulldogs do. I get her out on my paddleboard as well."
Well-known in the area, there's even a painting of Betty down the road at the Ugly Mug cafe.
Bred locally, Betty still visits her old family who own the conveyancing business next to Feel The Steel.
She's a pretty smart dog, too. She rides a skateboard - she just jumps on it and rides it, you don't even have to push her.
- Geoff Deakin
"They own Betty's mum," Mr Deakin said.
"And now she hangs out in their offices most of the day. After we open the shop here she goes out in the [adjoining] backyard and they leave their back door open and she hangs in there."
Mr Deakin has been running Feel The Steel in Richmond for 11 years now, and "business is great," he said.
"The five of us artists are all flat out these days. Plus Betty - she comes to to work most days."
Mr Deakin said Betty wasn't named after anyone in particular.
"She's just a Betty," he said.