In honor of “Take Your Dog to Work Day,” June 26, here is a sneak peek from my forthcoming book, Faithfully Yours: The Amazing Bond Between Us and the Animals We Love. It’s based on true stories, and this excerpt is about a busy advertising executive and her office dog, Boone.
Another deadline. Sue took a deep breath and pushed back from her keyboard. Working as managing partner of a large advertising business in Columbus, Ohio, came with high pressure, strong emotions, team and client conflicts and the constant pressure to succeed. In the past, she would have pressed on, skipped lunch, maybe even worked all night. Not now. Not since the Director of Stress Management came on the job.
A black and white dog stirred at Sue’s feet, jumped up, and pawed her leg. Time for a walk.
“Okay, Boone.” Sue bent down and clipped on the dog’s leash. She always listened to the dog’s requests—after all, Boone was the Director of Stress Management.
READ MORE: STRESS BREAK–HUG A DOG
Sue adopted Boone from a kill shelter, just after the dog had delivered a litter of pups. Sue’s heart had been aching ever since losing her beloved border collie. She hadn’t been able to shake the loneliness and depression. Boone walked right up and cuddled in Sue’s lap. She sensed right away that Sue needed her. I’m here for you, she seemed to say.
Taking the walk with Boone gave Sue a chance to calm down and collect her thoughts. She had a prospective new client coming in that afternoon, and needed to be prepared. They took a few laps around the building, Boone sniffing and wagging with glee, and by the time they went back inside, Sue found herself smiling.
That afternoon, the new client arrived. Sue and her colleagues walked the man into the conference room, Boone happily trotting along like she always did. Sue liked having Boone around, her presence created a more relaxed atmosphere during what were often long and stressful meetings. Boone usually warmed right up to the clients. This time, however, when she saw the businessman, she backed away, the fur on her neck standing on end.
“Boone,” Sue said, stroking the dog gently, “what’s wrong?”
Boone just glared at the man and growled. As they sat around the table, Boone placed herself close to Sue’s side, standing between her and the man. “Why is she acting this way?” Sue wondered.
At first Sue felt the businessman’s ideas were promising. She took notes, nodding. Then he brought up some ideas that were questionable. Unscrupulous, in fact. Then, he mentioned expecting unethical treatment in return. Sue stood up and crossed her hands. “I think this meeting is over,” she said.
The man grumbled, scraped back his chair and stomped out of the room. Boone gave one last growl, then followed to make sure he went out the door.
“Good for you, Boone!” Sue praised. “You knew there was something wrong before I did!”
Boone’s tail wagged as if to say, “No problem. That’s what I do!”
From then on, Sue made sure Boone was always present at meetings, including hiring new employees. If Boone didn’t like someone, Sue took it seriously. Boone never again reacted to someone so strongly as that unethical businessman. And she continued giving her all to those in the office, ready to take someone out on a walk, or bring them a ball for a game of fetch, whenever they looked like they needed a little stress management.
Excerpt from Faithfully Yours: The Amazing Bond Between Us and the Animals We Love by Peggy Frezon. Releases October 2015 from Paraclete Press.
