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A
working dog...
That’s
what Aspen is!
And
what a helper she is!
Laundry
– any stray socks/underwear/small towels that fall out of the
laundry basket, washer or dryer are quickly scooped up! (of course, I
have to pay for their return)
The
Floors – any item on the floor that is not supposed to be
there, is picked up and brought to me... for payment, of course. She
makes many trips through the house daily to pick up everything the
cats knock off the counters. The things that girl brings me is
amazing! I lost a button off of a favorite shirt and figured it was
long gone. Nope, Aspen found it that night and took it to Diana while
I was at work! She seems to know what we are looking for!
The
Mail – as I go through it, I tear off addresses to shred
before either recycling the rest or throwing it away. Any pieces that
fall on the floor are caught by Miss Eagle Eye who is watching
intently. (returned to me for payment)
Recycle
Items – as I go through the never ending piles of things
that either need tossed or thrown away, trips to the other room to
the recycle bin are made easier by Aspen carrying things for me
(for a price, of course)
Exercise
– she reminds me numerous times a day that we must exercise
often in order to remain in shape. She thinks that kicking her
squeaky ball for her, running from her while she tries to bump me
with her tire or when she tries to shake her ball on a rope close
enough to hit me, are all great exercise for both of us and should be
done hourly.
Guarding
the House – she watches the window closely around 3:30 each
day as that is when the kids get out of school and walk past the
house – they must be barked at! And I must go see what is so
important so I can take care of it.
Helping
me get Dressed – I have no idea how I did it myself all
those years. I can do it in record time now with nothing set down in
her reach, particularly socks, as it is scooped up and then returned
– for payment, of course.
Brushing
my hair – I am supervised closely to make sure the hair
scrunchie is not put anywhere in her reach. Towel drying my hair is
done quickly and timed by Aspen – she knows when I am through
and grabs the towel. (I am lucky that so far she seems to know where
to grab and doesn’t pull hair with it!)
Nail
Trimming – always ready to help hold Shay down when needed.
No payment needed for that.
Accompanying
Mom to Work – this is important stuff! When we are in the
office doing bookwork, she squeaks her ever present squeaky ball to
reassure any dogs in the lobby that this is not a place to be feared,
it is fun! When we go back to the treatment area, she makes the
rounds and greets every staff member (with the exception of Aaron,
who has the honor of being the only person in the world that Aspen
does not like), steals any unnecessary hair scrunchies, checks out
the counters and insists that everyone is working way too hard and
they all need to take a break and visit with her. If they happen to
be in the breakroom enjoying a much needed meal, she is always ready
to do tricks to entertain them and then share their food ( they
don’t want to get fat by eating too much, right?)
BTW,
I always have ‘dog money’ in my pockets. That is what one
co-worker calls the treats! And trust me, if payment is required for
an item, I am not getting that item back until payment is in hand
where she can see it! And if it is a high value item and I don’t
offer enough, she won’t budge in her negotiations!
Now
this is a working dog!! :) |
