As a Chief Executive Dog, I don’t take sick days. Oh sure I’m being forced to take it slow after my surgery, and did delegate some of my responsibilities such as neighborhood patrol to Asa. Yet when it comes to my role as Office Manager, I’m still 100% paws-on when incidents occur.
Yesterday started like most other days in the office. Dad was discussing a project with a coworker via video chat. Mom was working at her desk. Asa was daydreaming at the window. And I was pouting in the corner that Dad was ignoring my insightful suggestions. When all of a sudden the monotonous sounds of the office were interrupted with the loud clang of Mom accidentally dropping a book directly into my water bowl, thus spilling water everywhere. Startled from my pity party, I immediately jumped to my paws and began barking orders. Dad yelled, “Watch the stitches! Don’t get them wet!” Asa inexplicably ran out of the office only to return seconds later with his squeaky stuffie toy. While Mom bemoaned the soggy state of her book, and simultaneously tried to wrestle the noisy toy from Asa. Meanwhile Dad’s coworker just laughed at the chaos that erupted in a matter of seconds.
Quickly assessing the situation, I knew I had no choice but to take matters into my own paws to restore order. Their behavior was not acceptable in MY office! Hindered by my cone, I rammed my way past Dad, and positioned myself as best I could in front of the video monitor. My purpose was to deflect the coworker’s attention away from the unseemly behavior unfolding in the office to me. Because after all, no one can resist a Golden Retriever in a cone of shame.
My quick thinking worked. The coworker instantly asked Dad about my surgery. Thus giving Dad the opportunity to talk about my favorite subject, me, while Mom hustled Asa out of the office to play elsewhere and returned to clean up her mess. Another awkward situation solved by my quick thinking! Dad and his coworker spent the remainder of the afternoon discussing their dogs, and the coworker’s usually camera shy pup, named Pixel, even made an appearance on screen. Although they never did get back to discussing the project, I feel this was a more productive use of their time.
