A day in the life of...
By choice, it’s an eight am start this morning, as I have to drive right to the edge of my territory to collect Binkie and Lucy, two Labrador crosses that are staying with a host family in the same area. These two lovely, lively, young dogs have been out with me on many previous occasions and Lyn, who cares for them, loves them like they were her own! I’m always assured of a bouncy and usually muddy greeting and I thank the heavens that it’s been dry recently otherwise muddy trousers normally mean a visit home. So, it’s relatively pleasant prospect expecting to be dusty rather than muddy for a change!
I wasn’t disappointed! When I pulled up at the farm gate Lucy was springing up and down like a demented Jack in the box, while Binkie ran excitedly around the yard barking his head off. I slowly eased myself in the yard and was immediately surrounded by the two large black, bouncy dogs. Lucy bouncing and trying to lick my face, and Binkie bouncing and shouting his hellos just below ear level but at maximum decibels. Two short blasts of a whistle bring proceedings to an abrupt end as Marjorie; the dog’s owner calls order. The two dogs sit, expectantly, waiting, quivering with excitement as George, Marjorie’s husband, appears with their beds and I am ushered into the kitchen to collect food, towels, bowls. Paperwork done, dogs in car, receive payment, check return time and we’re off. Fifteen minutes later the black, hairy tornados are safely delivered to Lyn. The dogs disappear into the garden in a whirl of frenzied play fighting and it’s time for a cup of Lyn’s excellent tea.
Just as I’m tucking into my tea my mobile phone rings, it’s a host with a dog that’s had an ”incident” We discuss briefly the dogs condition and agree that we need a vet to look him over. I’m not really sure how I’m going to explain to the vet how Jason, a seven year old Cocker Spaniel hurt his leg but let me try this out on you first. Well, simply put, Jason was having an amorous session with his bed and he fell off. Lucky by the sound of it that was all he hurt! Jason is very sore this morning and quite rightly his host family is concerned he may have damaged himself they contacted me to seek advice and to have reassurance that they were doing the right thing. OK, nothing can be done until the vets are open at 9.45.
I arrive at the host’s home and Jason is looking very sorry for himself. Carefully, we load him into the car and Angela; the wife of the household asks if she can accompany me. When we arrive the vets are, as usual, very accommodating and ask if they can have more Barking Mad brochures, they’re out of stock. Jason is brought in to the veterinary surgery his tail is wagging and he shows absolutely no sign of being in pain. He is examined, given an injection, prescribed medication, suggestions are made about future behaviour and he is packed off back to his host family. Jason might be a complete fraud, but better safe than sorry!
Next collection and I’m on schedule. Millie is an elderly and grumpy Springer Spaniel. She grumbles at my appearance, she grumbles at her owner, grumbles all the way in the car and is grumpy when we arrive at her hosts. Remarkably she cheers up when Sue, the host, comes to the car to say hello. That’s what is great about this job. A grumpy old Spaniel cheers up when on holiday. Hardly headline news but it makes me laugh no end.
Off again. I have only two more dogs to do this morning. I’m back on time, the sun is out and the day is getting better by the minute.
The next two collection and deliveries are uneventful as they are regulars and going to hosts they know well and are no trouble and relatively straightforward.
Lunch is taken on the move and I arrive at a potential new client’s home. Their dog, Sefton is a two-year-old English Pointer who is described by his owners as a “real gentleman” They’re not wrong in their assessment as he is a large, placid and relaxed specimen who I am delighted to book in for a trial weekend, followed by a three week holiday in July. Result!
Right off to collect Sophia who is a twelve month old, quite highly-strung Briard. Her owners are anxious, highly strung, ”first time parents” and we have a few moments of worry as “Soph” plays up a bit and then accepts that she must leave them. Not for the first time we have a few tears on departure (the owners not mine). I reassure them and tell them that I’ll see them on Monday morning, I’ll text them when she’s settled and if they are at all worried about her to phone me anytime If they were at all concerned and it was quite likely that they would be, I’d ask my hosts to let me have an update on Sophia’s progress first thing on Saturday morning. I’d be ready for them!
I needn’t have worried. Sophia was more than happy with her “new home” she sniffed around, met the hosts very sociable dog and I left her about forty minutes later playing “chase me around the garden” with the host’s dog and teenage son. I texted the clients assuring them of Sophia’s happiness and welfare, which immediately resulted in a call back from them thanking me for my attention and them stating that they would now relax and enjoy their weekend away. Happiness all round!
No one can ever say that being a Barking Mad franchisee is dull. Today was always going to be a busy day but with the addition of a vet visit for Jason the bed molesting dog, it just added a bit of spice to an already full and happy lifestyle!