I get to talk to a lot of office dogs in my interviews, and I do meet some very active dogs, but Trooper takes it to a new level. He likes to paddleboard, hike, and play fetch, but his job as a personal trainer is what he loves most.
Napa: What breed are you?
Napa: Tell me more about working with your human. I’d love to learn more about her.
Trooper: Her name is Alison Levine and she is a mountaineer and a polar explorer. She is also the author of the New York Times bestseller, On The Edge: Leadership lessons from Mt. Everest and other Extreme Environments. It’s a book about the lessons she learned climbing the world’s highest peaks and skiing to both the North and South Poles. She actually dedicated the book to me.
I am her favorite training partner and I help her maintain her fitness by hiking local trails with her (she wears a weight vest to simulate carrying a heavy backpack). When she gets tired and overheated and needs to stop for a few minutes to rest, I help her cool down by licking her whole entire face. Then I stand in the middle of the trail and wag my tail and stare at her and encourage her to get up and keep hiking.
She travels for work a lot because she gives speeches all over the country, and when she gets home I jump all over her and cover her with kisses because I am so excited. One time I jumped up to kiss her and I split her lip open (oops).
Napa: What is a typical day like for you?
Trooper: I wake up early and sit quietly in bed until exactly 7:15am, at which time I lick my humans’ faces and roll on top of them so that they can rub my belly. We call this move the “steamroller.” Remember, I am 105lbs, so I can do what I want.
Then, after I am told that I am handsome 100,000,000,000 times, I jump off the bed and head to the kitchen for breakfast. I always want breakfast so it is fairly annoying that I am asked 10 times every morning if I want it (“YES! I WANT BREAKFAST!”).
After breakfast I go outside and take care of business. I don’t think you need details about that. While my humans are away I go to my grandma and grandpa’s house because they like to visit with me during the day and they take me outside and throw the ball for me. So I am around people ALL DAY — because I know that humans will cry if they are left alone (or maybe it’s me that does that??).
My humans pick me up in the evening and then we’ll go on a hike together, and usually there is a lake or stream involved so I can go swimming. Or sometimes we skip the hike and just sit on the sofa and watch Animal Planet.
Napa: Whose desk do you sit under most often?
Napa: When you get bored training (in between important tasks), how do you keep busy.
Napa: What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten while training (even if you weren’t supposed to)?
Napa: What’s your favorite funny dog video? Please share the link!
Napa: Where are you from? What’s your favorite trait about the area you live in?
Trooper: I live in an area called Bel Marin Keys which is part of Novato in northern Marin County, CA. My favorite thing about it is living on the water. My backyard is on the water because my house is at the edge of a big lagoon — and I love to jump off my dock and launch myself into the water.
I also really like to paddle board. I paddle all over the lagoon and my neighbors who also have houses on the water stand in their backyards and cheer me on. I think it is hilarious when I shift my weight and throw my humans off the board.
Napa: If you could tell your human anything, what would it be?
Trooper: Sorry for always drooling on your pillow at night when we go to bed. And please stop announcing it every time I fart (it’s really not necessary).
Napa: Can you share any advice for other outdoor adventure dogs?
Trooper: Make sure you stay VERY hydrated in the summer. Ask your human to carry one of those collapsible rubber or plastic bowls during the hike so that you can get as much water into you as possible.
When you try to drink straight from the human water bottle, less water actually makes it into you mouth and a lot of it is wasted, so you may not get enough water in you if you try to drink right from the bottle. Also, if you are overheated when you get home, ask your human for a rub down with a package of frozen peas. It’s really nice.
Napa: What’s the best expedition for pups? Do you have any favorite?
Are you an office dog? Is your co-worker a canine? Get in touch on Twitter or leave a note in the comments section if you’d like to be interviewed!
Side note: Do you run a business in the pet industry? Would you like to drive more traffic and sales to your site through a search-optimized pet blog? Get in touch with my office-mates at Lantern Content Marketing!
This blog is amazing! Made my day. Our black lab Happy works side-by-side with my boyfriend in his home office where he does web developing and we would love to have him interviewed! He has a lot to say, including his taste in music (he has his faves he sings along to), to what time he goes for his walks (around 10am and 2pm), to what’s for lunch (he basically gets some of every meal, plus his own!)