Here at the Terry warehouse, Nellie is known as the goodwill ambassador. In her biscuit filled world there’s no such thing as a bad day at the office.
Figure 1 Nellie- Warehouse Dog: photo courtesy of Lisa Wilkes
A typical day for the 17 month old Golden Retriever looks something like this:
9AM: Meet and greet. Important to include every person in the warehouse. Just try to ignore her and she’ll sit and stare until a head pat is received.
9:30: Throaty rumbles are used to greet warehouse manager; Nellies method of saying hello, followed by her morning biscuit request. She’s aware that this will require a sit and patient wait. Might have to lie down, if requested do so, her touchdown is completed in as minimal amount of time as possible in order to retrieve reward.
Figure 2 Discussing Biscuit Strategy
9:30: Greetings completed. Time to get to work. Nellie searches the warehouse until a stray piece of cardboard is located. Preferred size about 12×8 inches. Proceed to deliver to all warehouse and customer service peeps so they can thank her for doing her job followed by a pat on the head.
10AM: Nap time; under owner’s desk. Best accomplished by placement of maximum amount of 57 pound body on top of customer service representative’s feet as phones are answered. Intermittent snores, interrupted by background customer service phone conversations about saddle comfort, chamois density, and which shorts are ideal for spinning or touring.
Figure 3 Offering Customer Service Advice
Noon: Use of entire nose under owner’s elbow. Continue to push until she acknowledges that it is walk time. If ignored, push harder.
Noon thirty: Return from walk, reenergized from chasing leaves and chubby urban grey squirrels. Generally includes bike path or lakeside adventure, touching noses and body sniffs with the nearby dogs of Burton Snowboard.
1PM: Exhausted from trying unsuccessfully to not make eye contact and appear to not be begging for lunch food, it’s time for more R&R.
Figure 4 Post lunch nap
1:30: Full stretch out with stuffed moose in front of heater or hallway. Strategic placement necessary for incoming belly rubs as folks step around her.
2:30: Naptime over. Time to find the warehouse manager, aka biscuit man. Greet and lean into all 5 warehouse and customer service reps until all possible ear scratches, head pats, belly rubs, and treat disbursement has taken place.
3PM: Carry stuffed moose throughout warehouse until people notice and smile.
3:15: Greet postman. Watch as he unloads and reloads truck. Send him on his way with a wag of the tail. Chase pink pallet jack if in use.
Figure 5 Waiting for Postal
Figure 6 Escorting Josh and pink pallet jack
3:30: Nap time. Listen to more conversations about clothing fit, sleeve lengths, pocket sizes, and saddle comfort.
5:00: Time to lock up and head for home; where a romp through the woods awaits.
Submitted by Jeannette Segale: Terry Customer Service Representative and owner/personal assistant of Nellie
SO cute. Lucky you have such a communicative dog! Some are so dark and distant, unwilling to open up . . .