Billy Ray Cyrus buys dog from local breeder

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Judy Payne holds an autographed picture of country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who purchased a puppy from her Sunday. (Amy Satterwhite photo)

McMinnville would not normally be the first place to think country music star Billy Ray Cyrus would be spotted.

But that is exactly what happened Sunday, when the former superstar, known best for his music in the early 1990s, walked into local business owner Judy Payne’s Lovable Pets grooming and breeding shop on Old Smithville Road to pick up a new puppy for his daughter.

Payne said she was recommended to Cyrus by another customer.

“I sold a puppy a few months ago to a lady in Nashville and she told me she had a children’s clothing store and a lot of celebrities came in,” Payne said. “She said she was going to pass out all my cards and I just kind of dismissed it. But she has, in turn, been sending me lots of good customers. I’ve sold them as far as Florida, Illinois, Alabama, but I have never sold to a celebrity that I know of,” Payne added.

The breeder, who breeds small dogs like the Pekinese and the Shihtzu, said she wasn’t nervous. The dog had been picked out and paid for in advance and when Cyrus walked through the doors, she said she wanted to be a professional.

“He said he was real impressed with my facility and if I ever needed a reference, to give him a call,” Payne added.

Upon first hearing of Cyrus’ interest, she couldn’t believe it, and an element of skepticism stayed with her throughout the transaction, she said.

“I thought, is it really him? I really couldn’t believe it. But then when they wrote the check, I thought, ‘Yep, that’s him.'”

Cyrus achieved international acclaim with his 1992 song, “Achy Breaky Heart,” and has turned his interests to acting, according to his official Web site. He stars in a PAX cable TV medical drama.