On Being a Dog Servant
Do you have a dog, or does the dog have you?
Do you have a dog, or does the dog have you?
I have no idea if Buckingham Palace still maintains the job title of Ladies in Waiting. According to Wikipedia this was the title bestowed upon the personal assistant or assistants to the queen, or her courtiers. The job probably still exists, the title — not likely.
Likewise, there is the position of Manservant. This would be the fellow who is responsible for the needs of the king or other lords and ladies. You have a valet do you not?
In our house we maintain a dog servant. Liddy, our princess, demands that her breakfast and dinner be delivered promptly. She always expects her water dish to be full and, even though quite capable of opening it herself, wants me to let her outside so she may inspect the back garden.
Her morning routine usually goes like this… Check if I am awake. Give me a reproachful look if I decide to read a moment instead of getting on with her day.
She keeps a watchful eye on me as I get dressed for the day. When I have collected my pills and phone, she will herd me downstairs to get breakfast going. First with that step out onto the patio then in to eat as her breakfast is ready.
I am allowed to grind the coffee beans and put the kettle on while she consumes her tasty repast. She will inform me when the kettle has reached the proper temperature with a firm but polite bump on my leg. God help me if I don’t have a sweet treat ready for her.
She permits me to get my bowl of kibble err cereal ready insisting on tasting to ensure it meets her standards. She is very concerned about her staff’s welfare after all. Having ensured that all is well in the kitchen, she then goes out into the garden to perform her toiletries. I am expected to pick up after her of course.
What do I, as dog servant, get in return?
Well I believe I am extremely well rewarded. Liddy is always at my side caring about my welfare. She will annoy me whenever there is something she thinks I should hear about and as my own hearing has much to be desired, her annoyances are usually rewarded.
Liddy can be very entertaining and will introduce us to new friends. The ladies in Nordstroms yesterday are a great example. The crowd gathered around her to pay homage and admire her good looks. There was a gentleman who walked clear across the makeup department just to make her acquaintance.
And we must not forget that Liddy has unconditional love. After a long day of shopping, of being chauffeured about, and romping at the park, she is always ready to join us on the couch. She will stretch out, stick her nose right close to ours, stare deep into our eyes and telegraph… pet me — scratch me behind the ears. Ahhhhh…
Being the dog servant to a forty-pound ACD fur ball can be very rewarding!
