Hiller’s Market’s has been a staple in Southeast Michigan since 1941, and now the grocery store chain will be the exclusive provider of Mutt Lynch wines, high-quality vintages named for the whimsical tendencies of man’s best friend. A portion of the cost of each bottle sold will go to the Dearborn Animal Shelter, the local organization that recently rescued 150 Chihuahuas from horrific conditions.

“The discovery of all of those sick, starving Chihuahas brought me to tears,” Hiller said recently via e-mail. “We as a society need to take better care of the animals who love us and share our lives with such unselfish devotion.”

“Mutt Lynch Winery is dedicated to helping animal causes, their wines are creatively labeled in honor of man’s best friend, and it is a Hiller’s signature characteristic to help as many people, pets and organizations in need as we can. I am also impressed by the winery’s commitment to share this sacred duty.”

Mutt Lynch was founded in 1995. The Lynches devote much of their wine and time to support nonprofit animal causes around the country, and they are excited to work with Hiller’s to help the Dearborn Animal Shelter rehabilitate the Chihuahuas and also care for and work toward adopting the other animals residing there.

The partnership with Mutt Lynch seemed a perfect fit for Hiller, a self-professed animal lover, who recently took to his blog to talk about his special relationship with his two dogs, Lilly, an 8-year-old Scottish Deerhound, and Al, a 6-year-old Doberman.

“I wanted to begin this blog by reciting the many ways in which dog love is superior to romantic love between a man and a woman because I imagined it to be simpler, more basic, more rewarding,” Hiller wrote in the Aug. 31 entry. “But the more I pondered that notion, the more I realized it is not in any way different – it is more of the same and possibly even more demanding on the human than a relationship of intellectual and emotional equals.”

He goes on to say “… a dog loves its owner completely because its entire being propels it to. And that total love, that innocent adoration, that utter devotion, well, it inspires the same overwhelming appreciation from my end.”

Hiller has often spoken of his commitment, not only to the communities his stores serve, but Michigan as a whole, a state that’s seen its fair share of challenges over the past few years.

“The more Michigan needs us, the more Hiller’s will shoulder,” Hiller said. “We’ve been a community anchor for nearly 70 years. My father before me and my son after me share my deep desire to help people, to connect with our customers, and to be a part of the solution.”

But are those same struggling Michiganders still buying wine at Hiller’s Markets?

“Yes, definitely. In fact, I’m seeing a jump in wine sales as people consider it an affordable luxury when compared with the cost of going out for a drink or a meal,” he said.

“Our prepared foods, our higher-priced steaks and fish, our wine and beer are showing healthy sales because people’s buying habits have changed. They’ll splurge for an excellent dinner at home more readily than they will for a high-priced restaurant meal these days.”

And for Hiller, it’s the simple things in life that matter most.

“Everyone has something that gets him through the day. My constant is my dogs. They are my North Star, my beacons, my comfort, and I am a lucky, lucky man.”