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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Will work for food/ P.'s job interview

*Note: Employer name has been withheld for privacy purposes.

P. enters the room.
P: "Nice to meet you, thank you for taking the time to meet with me today." (offers paw)
E: "My pleasure, please have a seat."(hand/paw shake)
P. takes a seat on the floor and looks over the desk. (She told me later that she was smelling biscuits in the desk drawer and also pastrami sandwich on the E.'s breath. A slight distraction)

E: "P, is that what you like to be called?"
P: "Yes."
E: "I've looked over your resume and I have a few questions."
P: "I'm all ears.  And of course, nose."
E:"Yes, I see.  You have extensive experience in searching,sniffing, fetching and swimming.  Tell me more about this experience."
P: "Ever since I was a pup, I have been learning how to perfect these skills. I believe in practicing every day to maximize my effectiveness. It takes alot of work and I love every minute of it. I always give 110% and I have references to back that statement."
E: "Impressive."
P: "For example, the first thing I do each day is wake up my team. We all fuel up and then head out for some morning exercise. During this time, I will practice finding with my nose, running with my legs, listening with my ears and/or swimming with everything I have. I do similar activities thru out the day as needed."
E: "P, what is your greatest strength?"
P:"My nose is exceptional. You can give me a scent, and I will find it fast. I am hot on the trail. I will scour a large or small area and not give up until I find it. So, my final answer to this question is nose and focus."
E:"What is your greatest weakness?"
P:"Because I am so focused, I require my team to be creative in their training methods. I don't like to be bored. That would be where my weakness lies. Boredom.  I prefer not to sleep as much as the cat."
E:"How do you handle stress/pressure?"
P:"Keeping things light. I like to make people and other animals laugh.  Sometimes all they need is a goofy face. Hey, if it gets results, I stick with it."
E:"How do you evaluate success?"
P:"A team/pack that is balanced, healthy, active and happy.  It's not about how many toys we have.  It's about the immediate family that I work with and effective routine."
E:"Why do you want this job?"
P:"I feel I have a lot to give my community. Not only am I great with my team, I enjoy getting to know new beings. I am a wonderful conversation piece because I am so well behaved. That's what all the animals seem to like about me.  It does not matter who is on my team. Whether cat, mouse, snake, worm, bird, cow,bug etc, we can connect easily. So, it's a natural fit for me to get out there and make it happen.  I am ready for a new challenge."
E:"Tell me about a time when you failed."
P:"Recently, I was searching out a ball that landed half way up the trunk of a tree. I had no choice but to try to climb the tree. I kept slipping, it was not working. So, I had to delegate some help from my co bi-ped. She was able to reach it for me. It was a team effort because I sniffed it out and told her where it was."
E:"Do you have experience training others?"
P:"Yes, as a matter of fact, just the other day I had the opportunity to teach another dog how to run without a leash with a ball in it's mouth at the same time. I believe there is a picture of me doing that in my portfolio.  Here it is."


"And here I am teaching how to bob for balls."



E:"Nice. P, if you could choose anyone to have lunch with, who would it be?"
P:"My mom.......Or you."
E:"What is your favorite book? What is your favorite movie?"
P:"Rin Tin Tin and Rin Tin Tin."
E:"How do you balance life and work?"
P:"Use your talents at work and use play in your life. Do each everyday."
E: "Ok, good answer. One last question P., why should I hire you?"
P: "Because I know instinctively how to find whatever is missing. I have a strong desire to succeed in all I do. I work hard, and I play hard. I am focused on my goal and won't quit, even when the going gets rough. I swim in the ocean, I swim in fresh water. No matter. This is my spirit, this is who I am and I would make a spectacular addition to help you meet your goals."
E:"Thank you P. I enjoyed speaking with you." Both stand up and P. says, "Your welcome, very nice to meet you. Interviews make an active dog hungry. Know anywhere close with a good pastrami sandwich?"

Here is the rest of P.'s portfolio photos:

Swimming the ocean coming back from the mtn. on a retrieve



I can drive too.


                                                                        
110% Run


Athletic Catch. 110%

Do you think she'll get the job?



Monday, April 9, 2012

Small town quirks- #1 dedication benches/who are these people?

Sequim is a small town nestled in the valley below the majestic Olympic Mountain range.  It is mainly a "retirement" community, but also has it's share of unusual characters. 
On my way to work, I've noticed a few new benches being placed.  To have a place to rest and remember a loved one.  Kinda sweet.  Now the idea seems to have taken over the town.  A new fad. You don't even have to be dead to order one.  "Why wait?"  The truth is, no one in Sequim has the patience to wait until they are dead.  I know this because if one of my neighbors has to wait in line, it's like the end of the world.   They simply won't do it and everyone left gets to hear the angry rant going out the door.  

So, P. and I decided to set out and find as many dedication benches as we could within a short bike ride from our home.  Here's what we found and some thoughts while sitting there.

1.) Mike



Mike's bench


Lots of words for a small plaque. This bench is on the bike trail.   Mike, did you like to ride your bike or walk on this trail?   A memory means you are no longer with us, but I wonder how long you have been gone. Do your brothers and sisters still come around here, sit  and remember you?  How do they want us, the users of this bench who never knew you, to think about you?


 
2.) Ryan

Ryan's bench


This one is heartbreaking.  They say the hardest thing to endure is losing a child.  I believe that is true. I sat here and thought about that for awhile. I also thought about his parent. The "my" indicated one parent, and I imagined a mom. I sent a secret well wishing to the parent.  This bench is brand new and sits at the entrance to a park.  There was a bunch of fur on the ground beside it as if a coyote had eaten something there the night before.


3.) El


El's bench


This looked like a happy bench. Maybe El is alive.  This location was my favorite as it was in  a totally quiet and restful spot.  There were trees all around and birds chirping, etc. Yep, nature was here. Delightful on a sunny spring day.  Tell me El, do you have many friends and family members? Why is your bench here?


4.) Norm, Diane and the Pugs


Well, I acually know this couple and their pugs.  I should say, pug because after this bench was installed one pug died. P. loves Norm who we see on our walks a couple times a week.  She sits and he feeds her bacon, yum!  I asked them if the remaining pug misses the other. "Nope. She enjoys getting all the attention now."

Their bench




5.) W. and D


W. and D.'s bench


I think this was P.'s favorite bench.  She got right up on it and had this soulful look on her face.  Again, no dates. Not sure how long this one had been here.  Did they love dogs and can she sense their presence?  I don't really think so, but it makes for good reading, yes?

I'm sure there are more, I just haven't seen them yet. And there are probably some getting ready to be installed soon.  With the summer months coming, there will be plenty of butts needing a seat to catch the breath.. I only hope that the rate of bench growth slows down some. It would be awkward to live in a town lined up with them end to end!

Thanks for reading!