Individual Details
Dennis Byron Null
(1 Nov 1941 - 20 Nov 2005)
Obituary: Dennis B. Null / His second career was as animal chauffeur
Nov. 1, 1941 - Nov. 20, 2005
November 23, 2005 12:00 AM By Linda Wilson Fuoco Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Dennis B. Null loved pets and loved to drive, so when the computer company he worked for went out of business 15 years ago, he knew exactly what his next job would be.
He started Pittsburgh Pet Limo, which quickly became a full-time job with more than 800 clients. He drove pets to and from boarding kennels, airports, veterinarians, groomers and anywhere else they needed to go.
Mr. Null, 64, of Wilkins, died Sunday of an apparent heart attack at UPMC Presbyterian.
"Denny was one of the kindest and sweetest men in the world. The dogs loved him and so did their owners," said Carol Croft, owner of the Cozy Inn Pet Resort & Orchid Spa in Stahlstown, Westmoreland County.
When Mr. Null started his business, Ms. Croft was his first contact. Her boarding kennel was popular with many Pittsburgh dog owners who didn't necessarily enjoy the 46-mile drive. Mr. Null made the drive for them.
"It worked out beautifully," Ms. Croft said.
"He was just here last Saturday. We are all so sad. He will be missed."
Mr. Null "was the most wonderful person in the world," said Judith DeVito Null, who married him 23 years ago. He spent his off-duty hours with family and friends, Mrs. Null said, and he liked to play golf.
Most of Mr. Null's clients were dog owners.
"Occasionally there were cats. There was a rabbit and on one occasion an iguana," his wife said.
He was more than happy to drive long distances, taking dogs for chemotherapy at a canine cancer clinic in Cleveland and picking up dogs, shipped from overseas, at out-of-state airports.
"He worked for himself, by himself, and he loved that," Mrs. Null said. "He met so many nice dogs and so many nice people."
And he always made the time to walk his own family's pets -- currently a golden retriever and a cocker spaniel -- three times a day.
Mr. Null grew up in Butler and graduated from Butler High School. He joined the Marines and served in Vietnam. He worked in the computer industry for 30 years before starting his pet business. He and his wife spent most of their married life in Squirrel Hill before moving to Wilkins three years ago.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include a son, Joseph J.D. Null, of Columbus, Ohio; a daughter, Denise C. Germanowski, of West View; one sister, Judith Heil, of Columbus, Ohio; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service will be Saturday at noon at the Homewood Cemetery Chapel. Interment will be in the Homewood Cemetery mausoleum.
Memorial contributions can be made to the UPMC Family House, 242 McKee Place, Pittsburgh 15213.
Linda Wilson Fuoco can be reached at lfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3064.
Nov. 1, 1941 - Nov. 20, 2005
November 23, 2005 12:00 AM By Linda Wilson Fuoco Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Dennis B. Null loved pets and loved to drive, so when the computer company he worked for went out of business 15 years ago, he knew exactly what his next job would be.
He started Pittsburgh Pet Limo, which quickly became a full-time job with more than 800 clients. He drove pets to and from boarding kennels, airports, veterinarians, groomers and anywhere else they needed to go.
Mr. Null, 64, of Wilkins, died Sunday of an apparent heart attack at UPMC Presbyterian.
"Denny was one of the kindest and sweetest men in the world. The dogs loved him and so did their owners," said Carol Croft, owner of the Cozy Inn Pet Resort & Orchid Spa in Stahlstown, Westmoreland County.
When Mr. Null started his business, Ms. Croft was his first contact. Her boarding kennel was popular with many Pittsburgh dog owners who didn't necessarily enjoy the 46-mile drive. Mr. Null made the drive for them.
"It worked out beautifully," Ms. Croft said.
"He was just here last Saturday. We are all so sad. He will be missed."
Mr. Null "was the most wonderful person in the world," said Judith DeVito Null, who married him 23 years ago. He spent his off-duty hours with family and friends, Mrs. Null said, and he liked to play golf.
Most of Mr. Null's clients were dog owners.
"Occasionally there were cats. There was a rabbit and on one occasion an iguana," his wife said.
He was more than happy to drive long distances, taking dogs for chemotherapy at a canine cancer clinic in Cleveland and picking up dogs, shipped from overseas, at out-of-state airports.
"He worked for himself, by himself, and he loved that," Mrs. Null said. "He met so many nice dogs and so many nice people."
And he always made the time to walk his own family's pets -- currently a golden retriever and a cocker spaniel -- three times a day.
Mr. Null grew up in Butler and graduated from Butler High School. He joined the Marines and served in Vietnam. He worked in the computer industry for 30 years before starting his pet business. He and his wife spent most of their married life in Squirrel Hill before moving to Wilkins three years ago.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include a son, Joseph J.D. Null, of Columbus, Ohio; a daughter, Denise C. Germanowski, of West View; one sister, Judith Heil, of Columbus, Ohio; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service will be Saturday at noon at the Homewood Cemetery Chapel. Interment will be in the Homewood Cemetery mausoleum.
Memorial contributions can be made to the UPMC Family House, 242 McKee Place, Pittsburgh 15213.
Linda Wilson Fuoco can be reached at lfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3064.
Events
| Birth | 1 Nov 1941 | Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States | |||
| Death | 20 Nov 2005 | Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States |  |
Families
| Spouse | Living |