Kennel Master.
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My job at Flossmoor Animal Hospital in Homewood, Illinois is the
perfect job for a dog lover like myself. I've been supervising the
kennel staff there for five years now and I feel as though I've mastered
the art of the job. Anyone can give a dog a bowl of food and water and
clean up after them when they make a mess. I get to know all my dogs
personally and I learn alot about them because I love each and every
one and take the time to get to know them. And they are so happy to see
me when they come in.
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They remember that this is the place with the nice
lady who loves them and spoils them rotten. And it makes their owners
happy knowing they can board their dog and not worry about a thing
because they are in good hands.
I get to work with many different breeds. My favorites are Corgis,
Yorkies and Westies. I like the small breeds best because they are just
so darn cute!! "I just want to hug them and kiss them and squeeze them
and call them George". The smaller the dog... the more I have to touch!
In the years I've worked there I have only been bitten three times. Not
a bad record if I do say so myself. The first dog to 'get me' was a
Lhasa named D'OGEE, got me in the thumb as I was trying to put
medication in his buggy eyes. I remember how upset I was. Not because he
bit me but because he shattered my perfect record! I could no longer
boast that I had never been bitten by any dog. Every dog must have his
day and that day belonged to D'OGEE.
Then there was Winston the Boston Terrier. Just stuck my finger through
his cage door to touch his cute little nose and he chomped me.
I have a habit of sticking my finger through each cage and touching
their noses as I walk by. I've been doing this for years and so far it
has only resulted in the one bite. Winston is as sweet as pie when he's
out of his cage but the minute he goes back in he becomes a terrier once
again.
And finally, Clyde the Westie. (yes, a Westie!) Got me right in the
face, too. All I wanted was a little kiss. You'd think I would have
learned a valuable lesson but I can't help it. I love kisses! He was old
and grumpy so I should have known better. He's in doggie heaven now, by
the way. (No, I didn't put him there for biting me} Rest in peace,
Clyde.
My job is also a messy one. I've noticed that some breeds are messier
than others. Besides any unneutered male one of the messiest breeds seem
to be types of spaniels. Cockers have a habit of pooping (my word for
it} and then stepping in it until there's nothing left to scoop. Those
of us at the kennel have nicknamed this the 'Michael Flatley Syndrome'.
{follow your nose..it's between the toes} Chocolate Labs do the same
thing but they add an artistic quality to it in the way they fingerpaint
the entire run with it. These are known as the 'Picassos' of the kennel.
The best part about my job is making sure everyone is comfy-cozy and has
everything they need. I make sure that Thor has his purple stuffed bear
right before bedtime. I make sure Indy gets his evening carrot. And
Sponge must have his Batman blanket because it has the scent of 'home'
on it and he likes that. I like to treat my guests as though they are on
vacation and staying in a fancy hotel. And I provide the best room
service anywhere! And don't they deserve that?
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Submitted by Joella Murphy
Chicago Heights, Illinois.
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