DOGS AT WORK
My dog, Desi, has had several jobs. Her first job - and she understood this from Day 1 - was to be friend, confidante and guide to my son, Walshe. He was 11 at the time. (He’s about to turn 23.)
The other job, self-appointed but appreciated, was to provide home security. Desi is a people-friendly job, so security to her means keeping our property free of squirrels, skunks, rats, possums and any other marauding animals. Without her guidance (according to her), our yard and house would be overrun with these pests. On the other hand, I’ve looked out and seen a stranger wandering through our backyard (usually just the gas meter reader) while Desi lets out nary a peep. People are her friends.
Lately, I’ve been reminded time and time again of the work of dogs. When I was in Oklahoma City last winter and visited the bombing memorial, there was a section dedicated to the valiant rescue dogs who worked themselves until exhaustion, never giving up their search. The same went for 9/11. There are fire dogs and wonderful sheep herding dogs, too. (Think of Babe. If you haven’t seen it, do.) And don’t forget Nana in Peter Pan.
I saw another kind of working dog on our recent visit to the Rankin Ranch in Caliente, CA (see previous post). I became absolutely fascinated with Sassy. Sassy accompanies the three-times-a-day horse rides, and also the hayrides. I had a good chance to watch her carefully. Once a group of riders returns, Sassy races across the road and takes a quick nap in the shade. While she appears to be sleeping soundly as each rider is saddled up, just at the time the very last rider is ready to go, she leaps up, trots across the road and moves to the head of the line to guide them on one of several trails. She seems to know which trail they go on at any given time.
After her work, Sassy waits for a treat while Remy pets her. I’m in the cowboy hat with the red badn.
I have to admit, my riding days are over (and besides, somebody had to stay with granddaughter Remy while the others were riding) but I was gung-ho for the hayride on Sunday. As the tractor pulled the haywagon to a lovely, shady meadow, where we enjoyed the quintessential California barbecue (followed by a highly satisfying game of horseshoes), Sassy ran right along the rear of the wagon. She brought up the rear because she knew a reliable human was in front on the tractor. It was up to her to protect the rear flank. She trots along at an even pace (though I notice she takes an occasional shortcut). The work looks hard, tiring, hot …. but I could tell that Sassy could not live without her purpose in life.
I think the greatest frustration humans go through is not knowing or finding their purpose in life. Sassy doesn’t have that problem.
I know Desi would love her job and felt a little badly that she only has a large, highly-manicured yard to protect. But first thing in the morning and last thing at night, Desi checks the entire perimeter of the yard, blade of grass-by blade of grass. It’s work, all right, but she doesn’t mind.
It’s her job.