What a Fun Day
I got beat up quite a lot t
oday. My face got nipped; my hands got scratched; my hands and toes were chilled to the point of pain; I even got my face stepped on at one point. At the end of the day I was covered in fur-pretty much literally-and dirt and quite damp from snow melt, and I had yet to sweep the thirty by thirty foot room which was littered with pebbles that had stuck to my shoes and come in with me, and I couldn’t vacuum it up because the floor was wet and I’d get scolded.
I also got sweet kisses and a proper hug and lots of warm snuggles. Gus was even so accommodating as to lay on my cold feet…well, he sprawled on my lap and eventually slid down to my feet. Same effect, really.
Today was one of those days that is a constant reminder for why I love my job. I mean everyday has its moments-when a dog r
ubs up against me, or I go into the room and ten dogs are following me without any incentive but curiosity, or I get to watch a couple of dogs tussle-but today was more than moments, it was near constant. It made the cold worth it, it made the pebbles irrelevant and it certainly justified getting my face-and chest and stomach and legs-stepped on. Of course that’s what you get for sitting and laying on the floor to wrestle and cuddle.
It was a fantastic mix of personalities today, too, and everyone seemed to be on their best, most friendly behavior and I didn’t have to physically interfere with any of their tussles, just speak to them and they’d stop and glance at me and go back at it. Made it easy to keep snuggling with whoever was my pal at the time. I took over 500 photos today of them playing but that’s not really feasible to share all in one go, so you’ll have to make do with these mini-showcases.
You've already met Max who was a jack of all trades today.
Gus and Grace are housemates and very different in a lot of ways, but both are hugely affectionate with the attendants.
Lexi! You're not likely to forget her between her high energy and her hound dog bark. She takes some time to warm up to new people, though.
And Elle. Really the two are freakishly alike, in play energy, how they like to play and even how they look, but Elle is a lot more confident.
Oban, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and only having taken this photo do I understand their breed name!
Last but far from least is sweet and beautiful Eva, who is something like a poster child. She can be put with pretty much any dog, and is usually our go-to dog when a new dog is coming in for temperament testing.
With the exception of Gracie, any of these dogs would be happy to wrestle or chase a ball and Gracie loves the ball, will pick one for the day and that'll be her baby. It makes for an easy and enjoyable what to spend 8 to 11 hours a day. Wish they were all like this.