Sunday, January 15, 2012

I'm A Working Stiff


No, really. I am. There's no shame in it. I live for my job and work for my life; and my girl's life too.
You don't believe me?
Let me tell ya all bouts it.
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Glacier. Not Iceberg, Ice cube or Blizzard as some would like to call me: it's Glacier. I know it because it was the first thing I learned. It's the first word that leaves my girl's mouth when she's giving me a cue. Cues like, "Glacier forward," or "Glacier find the curb."
That's right. I find curbs and a whole bunch of things. Curbs, chairs, doors, stairs, escalators, elevators. I even know how to "find the Daddy." My girl taught me that one because both her and the Daddy's eyes don't work so well. That's why my girl has me. That's why I'm a working stiff.
My training started when I was a little wee guy. I lived with a really great family who taught me all the things I would need to know to be a working dog. Then, I moved into a school for six months and started learning a whole bunch of new things; things like watching for cars, moving safely around obstacles, ignoring food/people/other dogs. That ignoring thing was the hardest thing to learn. I'm a Labrador, how can I possibly ignore food?
But I do because it is my job. If I stop to pick up that tasty french fry off of the ground, my girl could walk into a pole or even out into traffic. I'm expected to be aware of my surroundings and ignore them all at once. It used to be confusing. Now, it's just my job; a job that I love.
My job has let me do some pretty cool things. I get to go into malls, grocery stores, ride on trains/planes/buses. Anywhere my girl goes, I'm going too. I was even there when she carried the Olympic torch. How many dogs can say they got to help carry the Olympic torch?
As soon as my girl gets my harness off the hook by the door, I am right at her side. I won't let her go anywhere without me. She might get hit by a car if I don't go along. So, she can just put that notion out of her silly head that she's leaving me at home. My girl seems to think she makes the decisions, but it's really me. She may tell me where we're going, but dude, I'm the one who doesn't let her walk forward if there's a car coming. I'm the one who finds the door when it's time to turn in. What if I didn't want to go to the gym today? Did you ever think about that little missy?
I'm a working stiff and proud of it. Don't believe me?

watch this!
I am ready to go to work; boots and all! (Did she really have to put those on me? And the coat? Oh the shame!
*****
This is Glacier's entry for the
Mango Minster 2012
Working Stiff category.

21 comments:

Dexter said...

Glacier! You are an amazing dog. How do you manage to stay so calm with all those people yelling?

I, for one, love your outfit.

Good luck in the show.

Mango

Scooter said...

Hey Glacier!
Wow, your are such a wonderful worker pooch! I loved the video. I bet it was such an honor to be there with your girl Jess as she did this amazing event. You are a fabulous contestant for MM. Good luck and I hope you win big!!
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Glacier you REALLY are a hard worker. I just "ignored the boots and coat" when I watched the video. It was GRRRREAT.. other than for THOSE thingys.

Best of Luck in Mango Minster 2012.

Dachshund Nola said...

You should win you deserve it!
Dachshund Nola

Two French Bulldogs said...

You are a hard worker sweetie
Benny & Lily

Becky Andrews said...

Awesome work, Glacier. So cool! Best wishes!

Finn said...

Wow Glacier, Momma is sure luck to have you. You are definitely a very hard worker!

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Oh Glacier....I think you have the most important job of all...taking care of your girl! And you do it well.

PS...Love the boots! LOL

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Glacier,

You, my friend, will be hard to beat in the Working Stiffs Category. Best of Luck to you.

Your Buddy,
Max

houndstooth said...

Hi Glacier!

Mango sent me over to visit, and I am totally impressed! I've had two jobs in my life, first as a race dog and now as a therapy dog and model, and my little brother is training to be a Search and Rescue dog, but nothing we've done is as impressive as your job! And the Olympic Torch? How cool is that?! You are definitely one hard working dog!

Bunny

Just Jess for now said...

Thanks everyone. I loooooooooooove it!
My girl keeps telling me I had to wear the clothes because it was colder than minus 30 C that day, but...she even made me wear Olympic mascots on my harness! How do those keep me warm? Thankfully, I don't have to wear coats in Scotland. :)
PS: Bunny, a Search and Rescue dog is a very important job and so is being a therapy dog. Racing isn't easy either. :)

Lassiter Chase and Benjamin said...

Watched your video with the Olympic torch -- that was pawsome! Great job Glacier! You work very hard -- keep up the good work! You are so talented!

Millie and Walter said...

Hi Glacier,

That is a very impressive resume. My Nina is up against some very stiff competition. You do a fantastic job keeping your girl safe and on the right path.

Good luck in Mango Minster.

Cindy

Alasandra, The Cats and Dogs said...

We are very impressed with your job. It's amazing to us that you can ignore french fries. Nice meeting you Glacier. ~Socks, Scylla, Arty Mouse (cats) and Fenris (dog)

Jed and Abby in MerryLand said...

This is shaping up to be another very competitive category. You have a very serious job and you do it very well, Glacier. You're a winner no matter how the judging comes out. Best of luck.

Jed & Abby

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Howdy Glacier, wow whee you are one good working stiff for sure. We admire all you do and send our best wishes for the competition. Good luck. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

Ziggy Stardust said...

Glacier, you are amazing. I am proud to know you. You really are a working doggy and deserve to win.

licks and sniffs Sasha

rottrover said...

Glacier, you truly are a hero! (And handsome, too!) Good luck in the competition!
-Ruby

2browndawgs said...

You are definitely a working stiff. Best of luck to you.

The Thuglets said...

Glacier..you are truly amazing!

Big Nose Pokes
The Thugletsx

Lucy-Fur, as typed by Dr. Liz said...

And you are a Most Awesome working stiff! Incredible! Neither of us can even COMPREHEND how you could pass up a stray french fry - that's amazing! Congratulations on a well-deserved win! We'll be rooting for you in Best of Show!

*kissey face*
-Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus