Filed under: animal rescue, Guest Posts | Tags: animal rescue, homeless animals, LoJack, Nikki, puppy, shady, shadytales, spiderman, TGTB, this good that bad
Hi everyone, Spiderman here. You may know me from this blog as Shady’s occasional visitor in “Adventures in Puppy Sitting” or from This Good That Bad’s Facebook page as the “office dog”. I am a 5 month old black lab mix puppy adopted from a shelter in NJ by one of Shady’s Mom’s colleagues. I get to come to her office EVERY DAY with my Dad. I didn’t realize it at first, but that was a pretty lucky break for me.
Don't mind me, I'll just soak up some sun here by the door till its walk time.
I have learned a lot around this office so far. For starters, I can use this computer well enough to step in and take over this blog. Someone has to do it. Shady was a little sick yesterday, because her Mom has been sick and home this week and as a result of a miscommunication with the person who usually feeds her, Shady got two lunches yesterday. This sounded like a good thing to me at first but it really wasn’t. Turns out it was very unpleasant for all involved. Let’s just say Shady spent most of the day in the yard—by choice– as a result and leave it at that. Since they are both temporarily out of commission, I figured I’d paw right in and give you some insight direct from a rescued-office-dog. Let’s start with the good stuff, the stuff I have learned that they do not teach in any “puppy school”.
- Naming your rescue dog or puppy: People have mixed opinions about changing or keeping a rescue dog’s name when they adopt. My family kept mine and I am here to say—it does not matter. People tend to make up silly nicknames for you anyway. Shady’s Mom calls me LoJack or Nikki at least a few times a week. When it really matters they get it right and no matter what that name is or was I know the difference when it is said with love and affection.
- The Big Boss’ office: It is okay to sleep on the fancy rug in there, but do not chew or pee on it. It used to never even be okay to go in there but I’m earning my stripes for good behavior! I don’t think he will ever want me to chew or pee on it though.
- “Howl-O-Ween”: This annual ritual is fast approaching and as I understand it, I am required to pose for photos in a silly costume for sheer entertainment value. This Good That Bad is trying to make it worth my while though, and yours. Check out their pet photo contest on Facebook and you could win a cash donation for your favorite rescue. You don’t even need a costume, just a fall theme will do. Hurry up too because it ends 10/31.
- Routine is key: I have learned who wants me around them and when, and I keep certain toys in certain rooms only so I don’t get bored with he same old stuff. I get the really good toys like rawhides when they are doing something called a “meeting”. Squeaky toys, running randomly from room to room (all 40 lbs of me) and tug games are best for late afternoon only when everyone is ready for a break and no one is on the phone or Barkberry.
- “Coffee” is very important. When the office people run out, they can get cranky and start pointing fingers over who had the last cup. Someone is then dispatched to get some right away. Now, they keep doggie treats at the coffee bar too but I don’t get to help myself like they do and they are somewhat less panicked when those run low.
In addition to all I have learned on my own here, I have overheard some really interesting stuff too. For instance, did you know…
- I was adopted here in NJ from a litter of other superhero named puppies that were transported here from somewhere they called “the south”? Some people get upset about that too, but it seems they bus us up here because it is more populated and we have a better “chance”. A chance at what, I wonder?
- My Dad and Mom originally wanted to adopt an older dog? That how they got the boss to agree to let me come in every day. They just kinda found me along the way. Every room here had to be draped in plastic till I was office broken…something about a “security deposit?” The older dogs really need you, though. The “chances” among that group are even less than mine and they still have so much love to give. They can’t help it that us puppies are so adorable—but don’t let us fool you, it won’t last! We’ll still turn into a regular dog someday (though still adorable, no doubt).
- Puppies are not the best choice for everyone? If I was not allowed in this office there is no way I my Dad and Mom would have chosen me because they work a lot. I’d be alone a lot of hours and training me would be a lot harder. So don’t overlook adult and senior dogs at the shelter. No matter what age we are when you bring us home, we will be dogs far longer than we will be puppies.
- 5 of 10 dogs in shelters and 7 of 10 cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them? I was in a shelter, so I guess I am one of the lucky 5. Are those the “chances” they were talking about? Those don’t seem like very good odds to me…I am glad I was last in my litter to be adopted because I know for sure all of my family made it home! (Source ASPCA http://dld.bz/3UbJ)
- Black dogs can catch an awful syndrome that makes it even harder for them to get adopted? Just look at this poor guy here!
If your boss won’t let you have a puppy in your office, please don’t let it stop you from adopting if you really want a dog in your life. Plenty of dogs don’t have a job to go to and they do just great at home. Maybe you have a dog at home already who would like a friend while you are at the office all day? Those adult and senior dogs we were talking about are great for that. Their habits are formed and it is easy to find a match with your life and your pet. Just give it a chance and take your time.
Now that I know all these things, I am worried. I worry about the other 5 of those dogs out of that 10. Hey, that coulda been me or any one of my brothers or sisters. It isn’t fair and it isn’t our fault. If you can’t bring one of us home, that’s okay. Find another way to support your local shelter by donating, volunteering or spreading the word. I would think you people already know it, but maybe you need to hear it straight from the office dog’s mouth one last time: Those odds just are not good enough.
Shady’s Mom, Melissa, is the director of marketing for a firm in NJ by day, and a blogger an entrepreneur by night. She still has good days and bad days since losing two of her dogs last year. She knows they would be proud of her efforts to help animal rescue through her “This good. That bad.” products. If she cannot adopt them all she wants to at least increase their chances any way she can. Please come back and visit us soon and if you are in animal rescue, contact us to learn more about how we can help you fundraise.
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We got super lucky…mom and dad’s “office” is our house. So we get to be here all the time with them. Cuz’in Ruger’s mom has to go to work so he gets to come here too and be the “office” dog.
Wags!
Mr. Nubbin’
Comment by Mr. Nubbin' October 28, 2010 @ 4:15 pmYou are lucky! I’ll tell Shady and Melissa you were here, thanks for dropping by. Hope all is well there.
Comment by Shady October 28, 2010 @ 11:06 pmSpidey, aka “office dog”
Good Job Spiderman, well said!
Comment by Morganne P. October 28, 2010 @ 10:38 pmThank you, Morganne. Maybe I will get to post again soon of Shady let’s me.
Spidey aka “office dog”
Comment by Shady October 28, 2010 @ 11:02 pmSpidey, you did a great job covering for Shady, you can stop by any time.
Comment by Stacy November 2, 2010 @ 9:53 pm