A successful first week

We’ve been at the new job for a week now. Mom is really enjoying it. I don’t think it’s all bad. Quiet like all office jobs. But there is another dog there. Spencer isn’t a wonder dog like me. He gets to come to work with us because everybody knows him and thinks he special.

After getting settled in this week, we went and saw AuntyMaigen at work yesterday. Now that we know what space we’re dealing with and such, Mom gave me an advance on my spending money and I got a new bed and bowl for the office. I took Mom’s suggestion of a spill proof bowl (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753754) so that I wouldn’t slop on the computer and such. Mom also bought me a bottle of conditioner. I think bath time may be close at hand. Seeing AuntyMaigen after work was such a treat! The shopping trip was a good way to end a work week.

But hold on: We’re at work right now. At the store. Mom says we’re keeping both jobs for a while. Something about the need for money. I’m not going to get too many down days. There may be times we’re working 7 days a week. Thankfully, the shifts at the store are pretty short. We’re going to go to the dog park and have a party this afternoon. Then Mom’s threatening that we should go grocery shopping but that’s up for debate.

Mom has promised to get some pictures of our office for everybody to see. I’ll nag her until she does.

To work we go

Mom and I went to five – that’s right, 5!! – job interviews this week. And it was a short week. But the good news: The odds worked out in our favour. If you apply for lots of jobs and end up with interviews out of 5 or 6 of them, eventually one of those interviews will result in job. Mom’s luck lined up yesterday. She woke up and didn’t want to go but still we packed into the car. As this interview went on, Mom got more and more excited. She discussed with the working lady all about me. We were all a little bit worried about if the boss guy was going to like me. Mom got the job even though there are some concerns about allergies. Yeah Mom. Now, about that fancy collar I’ve been wanting….

I had an assessment with CoachDarlene. They are trying to figure out why I like to bark. They think if they can figure out why I bark, that they can convince me not to. I think not. I like the sound of my own voice. But they think they noticed some things. I’ll let you know what crazy plans these humans have hatched.

Dad’s home this weekend. It’s been nice and relaxed this time. We aren’t rushing everywhere. We went to the movies last night. We sat where I could see the screen through the chairs. In the first movie there were these 2 guys beside who insisted on talking. I kept standing up to go and have a word with them about appropriate theater behaviour but Mom kept telling me to lay back down and not worry. Then we snuck into a second movie. Mom and Dad love catching a double feature. The first movie was funny but I slept during the second one.

Mom went for her pictures. The doctor says that all of her bones look normal and in the right place. We are able to rule out a few things that may have been causing the sore hip problems. Now it’s something with the soft tissue and that is so much harder to determine. Cross your paws that Mom gets feeling better.

End of the road, middle of nowhere

Mom took me for a really long drive this weekend. We went and saw Dad up where he’s working right now. We were in the car for 5 hours, each direction! On the way out on Friday night, Mom had an energy drink. She said it’s the first time ever. And she says she’ll never do it again. She says it felt the same as when she is really manic: rapid thoughts; uncontrollable emotions. She felt much better in the morning but has a lot more respect for stimulants and will be more careful when she uses them.

Mom and I hung out for most of the weekend just the two of us. Dad and his co-workers were away working during the day. Mom made supper for them both nights we were there. The guys (and one girl) thought this was a great treat. She cooked these chicken on the bbq that smelt so good. I tried so hard to con one of these guys to give me some. But Mom laid down the law. No chicken (or potatoes) for the dog. Dad snuck me a bite though. It was SO good!!

Mom’s hip has been acting up again. I’ve had to be an extra help around the house. When things fall on the floor, I get them. I don’t like to pick things up in my mouth but I make an exception for when Mom’s hurting. I have picked up her purse, jacket, papers, recycling. You name it and I’ve done it in the last few days. I learned to put my paws up on a chair so that Mom can do my leash without having to bend over. She pays me really good for doing this one. Yummy dog chocolates! Mom went and had some special pictures taken this morning. AuntyMaigen went with us to hang out with me in the waiting room because I couldn’t go with Mom for some reason. Hopefully this helps the guys in the white coats figure out what’s going on with Mom and then they can make her feel better. Last night Mom was sore enough after the 5 hour drive home that we stayed home and watched tv instead of going to pole. Mom being sore also means that I get to wear the Halti a lot again. Not because I’m being extra bad but because if I pulled at full strength, I could really hurt Mom. I don’t want to hurt Mom and the halti helps with my self control.

They think my job is easy

People walk past me all the time and say how easy my job is. If only they could spend a day in my vest. They would realize that it’s a lot of work to go everywhere with Mom. We have appointments where I have to wait quietly, meals out where I don’t get to eat anything, hours at work where I have to be calm and can’t say hi to anybody while Mom is busy and doesn’t have time to pay attention to me, and don’t even mention the shopping. It’s not as easy as it looks but I wouldn’t trade my job for anything. I love going everywhere with Mom.