Dayton, the Glamour Girl

What more is there to say?

Boxer Gifts at Whales & Friends

I mentioned in a previous post that my sister had a fairly recent conversion from “Terrified of Anything Canine” to “Dog Lover”. The other night I realized just how complete her transformation is.

While speaking with her on the phone, I mentioned that Phoenix had looked somewhat “fuller” than she normally does when I saw her the day before.

At this point my sister, the executive, who was cuddled on the couch with Phoenix while talking to me changed the octave in her voice and launched into the following:

Sis to the dog: “Pheeny, Auntie says you’re getting fat.”

Me: “I did not say she was getting fat, just that she seemed more round”

Sis:“Pheeny is adorable.”

Me: “Yes, she is adorable and cuddly. I was just saying she looked like she was getting a little larger. “

Sis: “She did get more round after she was fixed.”

Me: “She got fixed over 8 months ago. I see her every week, some weeks every day. I don’t think her recent size is related to that.”

Sis to the dog: “Pheeny, are you feeling fat?”

Sis: “Phoenix says she has been feeling a little bloaty the past few days but she’s tired and doesn’t want to talk about it.”

Sis to the dog: “Maybe you should stop looking so cute so everyone stops wanting to give you treats.”

Sis” “She says she can’t help it that people just keep offering her treats. ”

Me: “She begs. She’s not obnoxious about it, but she follows the scent of food, knows who keeps treats in their desk and makes a point to visit them frequently when she goes to the office.”

Sis: “Actually she does seem a little slimmer on Monday mornings but by Friday she seems to bloat up.”

Sis to the dog: “Pheeny maybe Auntie is right and you should cut back on the dog treats.”

Me: “Well it’s good that you put up the sign requesting that no one gives Phoenix people food: but I think that it’s just as bad when she gets 22 dog biscuits throughout the day.”

Sis to the dog: “Phoenix, should keep your girlish figure. You need to cut back on the treats.”

Sis: “She says that she doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by refusing.”

Me: “Well I know she is still a healthy weight, tell her we want to keep it that way and that everyone will understand if she passes up a snack now and then.”

Sis: “Pheeny, Auntie is right. Not so many treats. Besides looking better, you won’t feel bloated.”

Sis: “She says she really can’t help it that she is so cute people want to feed her, but that she will not accept so many treats. She thanks you for worrying about her, says she loves you and that she is going to sleep now.”

When my sister and I hung up the phone, it occurred to me that we had just had a 3-way conversation with a dog, all the while my sister sounded like she did when talking to her children when they were under the age of 5 and that she was completely, utterly and totally a “Dog Lover For Life.”

Dog Breed Gifts at Whales & Friends

Those of us who have pets know what a wonderful and enriching addition they can be to our lives. Whether you live a type-A lifestyle, running from meeting to soccer practice to the grocery store, you have achieved a Zen balance to your existence, or are you are at the empty nest stage of life, animals in the home can offer humor, affection and unconditional love.

The high school I went to was quite progressive. Some called it a “new age” school. We had open classrooms and called our teachers by their first names. One of my favorite “idiosyncrasies” of my high school was our “Pet Policy”. Students and faculty were allowed to bring their dogs to school. Looking back on it, I have no idea how it all worked out, but several students and even our Headmaster brought their dogs to school every day. I don’t ever remember a single problem with the animals other than the occasional “accident” but even that was rare. Visitors to our school thought this was strange at first, often times reacting with wide-eyed stare, but upon seeing the interaction between the animals and students, most would ultimately decide that it was “cool”.

Fast forward 10 years.

Ours is a family business. One day a black cat wandered into an open bay door. The cat appeared ill, but not feral. I will tell you the longer version of Rachel’s story another day, but for now let’s just say that the little black cat that crossed our path became a permanent part of our office. During the day she was free to roam in and out of the building, from the warehouse to the office, from desktop to willing laps. Clients and regular visitors to our office came to not only appreciate the tiny member of our staff, but sought her out when coming to the office. When someone had a bad day, Rachel was there to cuddle. Rachel lived a long, and we like to think, happy life with us. When she was somewhere around the age of 9 she disappeared. We were all heartbroken. We discussed getting another cat, but we all felt that Rachel could not simply be “replaced.”

We did not have an office pet for several more years, until my sister adopted Phoenix. She began bringing the dog to the office 1 or 2 times a week she said because she couldn’t bear to look at her sad face as everyone was leaving in the morning. It took no time at all to realize that Phoenix was a real morale booster and she started coming to work 5 days a week. She comes barreling through the door in the morning and makes her “rounds”. She runs from office to office to say “good morning” to everyone.  She wanders through customer service to greet each phone operator. If Phoenix makes it in before me in the morning, she runs at me at top speed when I enter and then skids to a stop at my feet to get and give her morning “loves.”

Phoenix has taken to attending every meeting. Sometimes she sits under the conference table and others she perches herself on the sofa to watch and listen. If we had an extra chair at the table, I can easily picture Phoenix sitting in it. If someone has forgotten to call Phoenix when a meeting starts, she shows up anyway, scratching at the door to be let in. If a day is getting tense for someone they will often take a few moments to bring the dog outside and throw a toy for her. Usually whatever the problem is seems a bit better after watching Phoenix run in circles for a little while. She makes everyone laugh. Sometimes just by cocking her head to the side and raising an eyebrow, other times by running laps around the call center or stalking her toys. Phoenix gives great big hugs. She will put her 2 front paws on your lap and lean against your neck until you cannot resist putting your arms around her and squeezing. Talk about stress relief! Phoenix seems to know when she has made someone’s day better. She may approach them quietly if she senses they are having a bad day, but she can’t help but wag her tail as soon as she sees that she has made you smile. On the rare occasion that Pheeny stays home we are all sorely disappointed.

It may seem silly or counterproductive to have a pet at the office. Many would feel that employees taking time out to play with a dog is not cost effective. From my perspective the opposite is true. Those few moments spent here or there communing with the dog can provide a much needed break to a busy day. The affection and humor she provides helps to relieve stress which makes me feel more productive.  It seems to me that having a pet in the office when possible makes a whole lot of sense. I for one am very happy that Phoenix joined our team.

 I realize this is not practical or possible in many work situations, but when it is possible, it’s something to think about.

My sister has always been terrified of dogs. I am not exactly sure why. We did not have them as pets growing up. I was bitten by a neighbor’s dog as a child, which my sister did witness, however it was not really that traumatic, at least not for me. No broken skin, no dreaded rabies shots needed. As soon as I moved out on my own I got my first dog. For as long as I can remember my sister would get a stricken look on her face whenever she saw a dog other than mine. The only dogs I ever saw my sister not flinch around were the dogs I had as an adult. I guess because they were mine, she was okay with them. She knew they were always good around my children, even when they were babies so maybe this eased her fears.

Three of my sister’s children, ages 16, 14, & 10, wanted a dog. Her adopted, now-adult daughter, KK never really said much on the subject of dogs throughout the years but my sister’s husband grew up with them. My sister would not budge on the subject. She would allow my dog to come and visit, but that was about it

Enter Stage Left- Phoenix.

She is the adorable fawn-colored boxer pictured in this post. Phoenix had a shaky start in life. Her mom suffered from a complication during delivery and despite emergency treatment, passed away within 48 hours of giving birth to her litter of puppies. There were 10 in total, however she was only able to deliver 4 of the puppies. One died shortly after birth. Phoenix and her brindle sister and brother, Dayton and Memphis, survived but had to be bottle fed. With a lot of love, prayers and fierce determination, my niece, K.K., was able to save all 3 of the puppies.  (How K.K. came to care for these puppies is a story for another day.) The 3 very tiny puppies born in June became a regular part of all family functions. I remember a Fourth of July party quite clearly. When the puppies were not resting in their blanket-lined carrier, they were passed around to be held and kept warm, or to be bottle fed. My sister did not really see them as dogs, but more as babies that lost their mother. That was the beginning of her conversion.

The puppies grew, and grew, and grew. Soon it became apparent to my niece that having 3 dogs in an apartment was not ideal. Many people inquired about taking the puppies but K.K. could not bear the thought of giving them up, they had become her children. She needed help. My sister, much to the delight of her younger children, decided to take 1 of the puppies so that K.K. would still get to see her regularly. Although she was still a little leery of having a large, four-legged bundle of frenetic energy in the house, my sister, knowing the three dogs since they were 3-days old was not afraid of them. A family vote decided that it would be Phoenix that came to live with them.

My sister was going to have rules. No dogs on the bed. No dogs on the couch. Phoenix was a DOG. She was going to sleep in a kennel at night. Face-licking was going to be discouraged. When it was time to go to the vets, Phoenix would be allowed to ride in the family mini-van only. All care of the dog was going to be up to the children. Are you dog-lovers laughing yet? I know I was when I heard all this.

Phoenix moved in. She missed her brother and sister. She was used to sleeping curled up with Memphis and Dayton. She was raised with tons of human affection and attention and she planned on keeping it that way.
My sister caved like a house of cards on a windy day. She could not bear to see the puppy with her sad eyes when it was bed time. She could not stand to listen to her lonely whines. She learned that is was really quite comfortable to have the dog curl up on her feet at the end of the couch while watching a movie, keeping her warm. She realized that she liked it when Pheeny wanted to nuzzle with her adorable face. She decided she just couldn’t bear the oh-so-sad look on the dog’s face when everyone was getting ready to leave in the morning. 

Fast forward 6 months.  Phoenix does not sleep in a kennel. Phoenix does sleep in the bed. My sister is often squished between her husband and the dog. Phoenix makes herself comfortable on the couch when the family is hanging out. Phoenix is a face-licker. Phoenix goes to work with my sister on most days. She comes to our parents house for family get-togethers. My sister arranges play dates for the dog. Phoenix has her own pillow in my sister’s car. If my sister is wearing leopard print, Phoenix has on a coordinating leopard print collar.

My sister’s conversion is complete- She has become one of us.

My sister is now a proud  dog lover.

Dog Breed Gifts at Whales & Friends