NEW DOG ON THE JOB

We adopted a new dog two days ago so my energy is focused on getting him adjusted to his new life. In many ways, it reminds me of hiring a new employee: you put the word out that you’re looking to hire, you interview a few candidates and then you make the offer and bring the new person on board, hoping it will all work out.

Such was the case with Jester, our new little black dog. We let our network know we were ready to get a dog after losing our beloved Sadie back in April of 2009. Dog offers began pouring in. We “interviewed” a pair of young male labs who would have been a major project with their hefty 100+ pound bodies and boundless energy. Who has the time for all that training? Not us.

We moved on to a rescue puppy who wriggled excitement out of every pore. She reminded me of the new hire who jumps into work projects with reckless abandon but leaves big messes in the way. I could only imagine the doggie accidents, the chewed up expensive leather shoes and the shredded couch pillows. Did we need that? No thanks.

Then we met Jester.

Jester’s foster mom was good in the interview. “He’s so gentle and already uses the doggie door.” Jester presented himself very well too. He wagged his tail to greet us, he walked perfectly on a leash and he didn’t jump up. We took him.

Just like any new employee, he’s still figuring out the new environment. And that gentleness we heard about in the interview? It's really fear and anxiety. This poor little guy is so worried about pleasing us that he's terrified to make a wrong move.

We know that it usually takes 3-6 months for a new employee to feel really comfortable in a new job, so we're not so disappointed with Jester. He's never going to be the office clown, but then again, he's never going to be like a toxic employee who causes strife at every turn.

We'll give him all the time he needs to figure out that our home is a really good place to "work". Until then, we'll be working overtime to coach him on becoming the dog we know lies inside him.