Do you remember my friends from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary that I introduced you to last week? Well, those three pups were so much fun, but today I have five more four-legged friends for you to get to know. These guys and gal work at Best Friends Animal Society in both California and Utah, and they have quite the stories to tell. I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I did!
Napa: Where do you work?
Melvin: I work at the Best Friends Pet Adoption & Spay/Neuter Center in Mission Hills, CA.
Dora: I am the office dog/greeter. I work with Melvin.
Mr. Fox: Best Friends Animal Society – Utah, in Salt Lake City.
Droopy: Best Friends Animal Society in Utah.
Charlie: Best Friends Animal Society-Utah Salt Lake Offices.
Napa: What breed are you?
Melvin: Not quite sure, but most people say I’m a Dachshund mixed possibly with Min Pin or Chihuahua. Everyone comments on my spectacular underbite and snaggle. Undersnaggle?
Dora: Is there a big, beautiful brindle breed? No? Okay, I’m listed as a Labrador Retriever/Mastiff Mix.
Mr. Fox: We weren’t sure for a long time, because when I was adopted I had almost no hair. We’ve since found out I am a Pomeranian, and I have Alopecia X, so my hair does funny things.
Droopy: Beagle
Charlie: Chorkie (Chihuahua/Yorkie)
Napa: Tell me more about working at (your company).
Melvin: Working for Best Friends Animal Society is awesome! They are the only national animal welfare organization focused on ending the killing of shelter pets. I know this is true, because the no-kill center in Mission Hills pulled me from a Los Angeles Animal Services shelter where no one was really looking to adopt me. See, I’m about nine, and some people think that’s old. Ha! I can run circles around most dogs. After a nap, of course.
I was at the Mission Hills center for a while before my mom, Michelle, who does public relations for Best Friends, started noticing me. She was always picking me up and telling me how cute I was, showing me off to anyone walking by. I kept giving her my best pathetic look, silently imploring, “Hey lady, why aren’t you taking me home?” Turns out Mom was worried that I might not get along with Buster, her first dog, who’s a kind of grumpy, mid-sized 10-year-old mutt. So, when we were introduced, I totally let Buster think he was the alpha, you know, played the whole submissive role, even though I can be quite bossy. A dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do.
It’s been a nice gig so far. Mom spoils me and Buster pretty good. We go on lots of walks and nap all day. She takes us on road trips, and we always sleep in the bed with her at night. Mom even tucks us in. Hey, I’m no dummy. That’s why I picked her.
Dora: It’s a real honor to work for an organization dedicated to ending the killing of shelter pets. If Best Friends Animal Society didn’t pull me from a city shelter, there’s a very good chance I may not be writing this. Shelters are a tough place for dogs of a certain age, especially large gals like me.
Mr. Fox: I love working at Best Friends, especially on the days when people pick up and drop off their foster kittens. I live with cats at home, and I LOVE kittens, so I try to meet all of them that come through our office.
Droopy: It’s great! Everyone loves when I come in. I get so much attention.
Charlie: I love to socialize with all my human coworkers especially those that have treats hidden in their office drawers. (I will do about any trick I can to get a treat.) I get to greet each person and animal coming into the office since I get to sit by two of the entrances. And if it’s slow enough I get to play fetch and socialize with the other office dogs.
Napa: What is a typical day like in the office?
Melvin: It’s pretty chill at the office. Lots of napping. Mom is usually on her computer, what she calls “stalking” the media. Buster and I watch over everything and make sure to bark at intruders, such as other office dogs and the UPS or mail man.
We also have an Aunt Sara who shares the office with mom. She does marketing and is really nice. Aunt Sara even puts up with Buster, who has a penchant for sniffing her feet. She does have really nice sandals and polished toes.
Anyway, people walk by and tell us how cute we are all the time. What can I say? It’s a rough life.
Dora: It’s so much fun! A typical day usually involves supervising the adoptions team, making sure everything is running smoothly and greeting the public as they walk in the door. All things I excel at.
On off hours, I get to do play groups with other dogs, which involves a lot of sniffing, running, rolling around in the dirt, and jumping into small pools of water. I love that!
Mr. Fox: I have a bed and water bowl on mom’s desk, where I can watch everyone coming and going through the day. I spend time with my desk neighbor, Droopy, and sometimes go in to the conference room or meeting rooms while mom meets with people or takes a phone call. And I get to go out for a few walks in the neighborhood.
Droopy: We get in about 8:30, I get a treat, then nap. Mom gets me up about 11 to go for a walk. Then I get a treat. Then I sleep. We usually go for a quick afternoon walk, then I get a treat, then I sleep.
Charlie: Most days I come in and greet my coworkers. I especially freak out, beg, twirl, and want snuggles when it’s my favorite humans around that day. I do alert my coworkers if someone enters the building or rings the doorbell, so that they may assist them. But at the end of the day, once I’m full from all the treats, I sleep off all the pounds I have put on in my bed.
Napa: Whose desk do you sit under most often?
Melvin: Buster and I each have our own designated beds but whenever I want to go for a walk or just want some love, I hang out under Mom’s desk. Buster prefers Aunt Sara’s desk (note above referenced foot fetish).
Dora: My very favorite desk to sit under is Angela’s. She’s a lifesaving specialist at the center and tends to spoil me a bit. I can always get a belly rub or treat from Angela. She’s the best.
Mr. Fox: I sit on top of mom’s desk, so I can see everything that goes on. It’s important I keep everyone safe. If she has to leave for a while, I may spend some time with her desk neighbor Julie (who sneaks me turkey from her sandwiches – shhh!). If I’m feeling anxious while mom’s gone, Marci and Ali are great at helping me calm down.
Droopy: My mom’s only…I’m a bit of a momma’s boy.
Charlie: My owner’s – Cami
Napa: When you get bored around the office (in between important in the office tasks), how do you keep busy?
Melvin: Napping takes up most of my time. Gotta build up that energy for supper time and going for walks, you know.
Dora: There’s never a dull moment around here! There are people to greet, papers to file, toys to chew, dogs to play with, treats to eat and so much more. Why, it’s hard to get a nap in sometimes!
Mr. Fox: Naps. Lots of naps. And begging for snacks or treats from anyone who walks by.
Droopy: I sleep.
Charlie: I’ve gotten wise in my age and have learned when you get bored it’s best to just take a nap in a big comfy bed.
Napa: What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten around the office (even if you weren’t supposed to)?
Melvin: Mom feeds me supper in the break room, so when she’s not looking, I beg the staff to drop me a yummy piece of sandwich. They usually comply.
Dora: This is treat-ville! Seriously! Tasty treats of every kind and lots of people that want to give them to me! What could be better? There is the errant crumb or piece of human food that finds its way to the floor, but I’m more than happy with the treats alone.
Mr. Fox: Turkey from Julie’s sandwich at lunch!
Droopy: I love to ransack through everyone’s garbage. One time I scored a partial burrito!
Charlie: My coworker, Jessica, has treats hidden in her office drawer. I will beg, twirl, sit, and lay down all at once for those bite size peanut butter treats.
Napa: What’s your favorite funny dog video? Please share the link!
Dora: Dogs who love water! So much fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCz8YLgHuI8
Mr. Fox: Dogs annoying cats with friendship:
Droopy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f9kDaVxb7M
Charlie: The dog tease video since it’s the story of my life.
Napa: Where are you from?
Melvin: South LA. I have kind of a Spanglish accent.
Dora: Originally, I’m from South Central, but now I consider myself a valley girl.
Mr. Fox: I’m not sure where I originally came from, but at 7 years old I was picked up as a stray in West Jordan. The nice people at Community Animal Welfare Society (CAWS) took me in, and that’s how I found my new mom. That was three years ago!
Droopy: Mexico by way of Southern Cali. My first name was Jorge. My mom adopted me from the San Luis Reay Animal Shelter in Oceanside, CA.
Charlie: I was adopted from Salt Lake County Animal Services two and a half years ago. I came in with a gang of yorkies from the outskirts of Salt Lake County and all my friends found forever homes. I now spend my time in Salt Lake City.
Napa: What’s your favorite trait about the area you live in?
Melvin: Los Angeles is awesome because the weather is always nice, a plus when your bathroom is the great outdoors.
Dora: Los Angeles is the best place ever! Lots of parks and when you get to go for a car ride, it’s almost always warm enough to stick your head out the window!
Mr. Fox: SNOW! I love love love love love love love SNOW!
Droopy: I love the mountains! Hiking off leash is my favorite thing in the world.
Charlie: Since I live in a Salt Lake City pet friendly rental I have made many doggy and human friends around me. And being in Salt Lake City you can get anywhere fast, and my owner can take me through the local coffee shop drive thrus where they always greet me, compliment me, and hand me one of their great treats. When I’m feeling like I need some exercise I get to go to a doggy friendly park or hike with my brother Bob, and we are exhausted by the time we get home.
Napa: If you could tell your human co-workers anything, what would it be?
Melvin: Less stress, more naps.
Dora: I’d really like a raise. More treats will do nicely. Maybe a steak. Oh, and thanks for loving me. Until I find a home, I feel like I have a family.
Mr. Fox: Sometimes they talk too much when they should really be working, but I’ll never tell. As long as I keep getting turkey from Julie’s sandwiches.
Droopy: Relax, make time for a siesta.
Charlie: My environment has changed a lot in the past couple years and having a routine of coming to work gave me comfort. Although it took me a while to warm up to many of you, I am happy I have the chance to meet, play, and get snuggles from many of you. I know our friendship will grow and my trust with each of you will grow too. I am happy to call the office my second home.
Napa: Can you share any advice for other office dogs?
Melvin: Don’t be a spaz. Find your nook in the office and chill. Walk over to your person when they stress out about that silly human stuff and remind them why dogs are so awesome. That unconditional love business goes a long way.
Dora: Never underestimate the power of a tail wag and a well-timed lean or nuzzle, especially when the humans are sad. It always puts a smile on their face!
Mr. Fox: If you have the chance to go to the office with your mom or dad, do it! But be polite to the people and other dogs, and try to be quiet. If you can, they’ll take you all the time!
Droopy: The more you sit and behave, the more treats you get.
Charlie: Trust your human coworkers. (My brother, Bob, has to work on this too.) They can take there time getting to know the ins and outs of your personality, but don’t forget to let them in. (Also, if you do they might give you a treat or two.)
Are you an office dog? Is your co-worker a canine? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch on Twitter or leave a note in the comments section below!
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!
