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It’s 5:30 in the morning and you know what that means: time to get out of bed, stretch the legs, eat some breakfast, freshen up and head to the office. While this may have been my dad’s routine pre-pandemic, the Manhattan office closures led my dog to follow the same schedule when she suddenly acquired some extra family time…and a 9 to 5 on the side.
Every single morning, Chloe would head downstairs to the makeshift office that my basement has embodied for the last 17 months. The individualized cubicles in any common workspace were replaced by a loveseat shared by my dad and his favorite four-legged daughter.
Chloe was quickly welcomed into the company and was known by just about all of her colleagues. She never missed a meeting and although she slept through most of them, it’s the fact she showed up that counts!
Sometimes, she would find herself stuck upstairs, shut out from some important calls as a preventative measure so she wouldn’t interrupt by barking. But maybe, that was her way of asking, couldn’t this meeting have just been an email?
Regardless, she sure showed Dad who’s boss.
I know he is down there, she thought while aggressively sniffing under the door. I will just whine and bark, even if my mom and sisters tell me to stop, until he either has to come and get me or one of them opens the door to let me down. That’ll tell him.
To avoid suffering from scenic fatigue, the dynamic duo would come up for air from the basement around mid-morning to do some work (and nap) from the dining room. Chloe loved this time of day because it involved a revolving cabinet door of blueberries, apple, banana and whatever my dad was eating for lunch.
When she wasn’t at the office, she could be found working out with me. One time, she stood by my face to give me kisses when I came up while doing crunches, that is, until she got tired after giving me three and tucked herself into bed. Although she isn’t the best workout partner from a motivational standpoint, she sure is a great supporter.
The pandemic gave her the time to realize she wanted to pursue the world of academia. Sometimes, she would pop into my Zoom classes but clearly, the journalism courses weren’t interesting enough to keep her attention, seeing as she slept during class too.
At around 3:30, it’s time for her afternoon stroll. It’s when she’d say hello to the neighbors and the squirrels.
If the walk was successful (meaning she did her business) she would be greeted with treats and cheers as if she had just won a dog trick competition, when in reality it took her a half hour to walk down the street. And if it wasn’t successful, she would still be welcomed back with treats and cheers because we are a very supportive and reinforcing family. That’s okay Chlo! Better luck next time!
I can pretty much guarantee Chloe has no idea what’s been happening in the world this past year and a half. All she knows is suddenly the house was filled, she had endless snuggles and she had more backyard time and treats than ever before. It was a win-win-win-win situation.
Normally, this entire day would’ve gone by without her seeing Dad. Before the pandemic, he would get home around 7:30. She could be dead asleep and still hear the garage open, sprint to the door, stand with her nose against it, tail wagging at 100 mph until he nearly swipes her aside while opening it. Then she jumps up on two legs crying and kissing him like it’s been 12 months instead of 12 hours since she last saw him.
Now? He practically gets the same reaction after coming back from getting the mail.
Her bedtime has stayed the same. By about 8, she will be snuggled up like a little donut under her blankies, dreaming about us all leaving the house so she can jump up on the couch like she isn’t supposed to or maybe even go crazy and pee on the rug.
I think this whole working from home thing has made her realize that her time in the corporate world needs to come to an end sometime soon. She’s going to be 12 in the Fall and the gears just aren’t turning like they used to. Plus, she is totally fine never having to commute to Manhattan.
Her days of retirement will come soon enough, but for now, it’s time to set her alarm for 5:30 so another workday can begin.
Wet weather didn’t put a damper on the first ever Halloween dog costume contest at the Chappaqua Farmers Market on Saturday, November 3rd. The event was originally scheduled for the Saturday prior to Halloween but it was raining cats and dogs (ha!) that day so it was rescheduled. The event was sponsored by A New Chance Animal Rescue. The Bedford Hills-based non-profit operates on a foster home model, with the strong belief that boarding and shelters are not replacements for experiencing home life that prepares a dog for successful adoption. A New Chance Animal Rescue relies solely on approved foster homes to house and care for all dogs.
The costumed contestants and their owners marched along the booths of the Farmers Market much to the delight of the vendors and shoppers. Lou, the UPS Dog won 1st Place, Arlo the Hot Dog came in 2nd and the adorable Bumble Bee, Gracie took 3rd Place! Each contestant got yummy doggie treats and the lucky winners received gifts from Wags and Whiskers, Aardvark Pet Supplies and Pets A Go Go, plus of course bragging rights! Proceeds from the event were donated to A New Chance Animal Rescue.
I never thought I could love an animal as much as I love my Maggie Mae. She is, without a doubt, my best friend and my biggest fan. She will follow me anywhere, is totally devoted to me–even when I scold her. Maggie Mae loves me unconditionally. She’s a black and white Parti-Toy Poodle and the joy of my life.
When I first saw her, her outgoing personality attracted me, and I knew right away that she was mine. But maybe it was the other way around and she chose me. Nearly eleven years ago, when she came to live with me, she was three months old and weighed only three pounds.
I can’t imagine my life without her. She’s a wonderful companion, and she makes me laugh. She can be sound asleep, but if the phone rings and I answer, she is by my side in a minute so I will play with her. When I say to her, “You’re the best girl I know,” she always rewards me with a kiss.
They say that dogs are man’s best friend, and they’re not kidding. When a fly is buzzing around the house, she’s right there to alert me and to guard me. She alerts me when I have accidentally left the front door ajar or if there’s something in the wrong place. And then there is Maggie Mae neighborhood watchdog. She can spot a car blocks away and frequently knows who’s in it.
As a perennial single person, I have lived alone for most of my adult life, and it is easy for a single person to become self-indulgent. Having to think about the well-being and care of another were valuable changes for me. That’s one reason I’m so grateful for Maggie Mae’s presence in my life. She also keeps me healthy. No matter what the weather, I am outside with Maggie Mae at least three times a day. We take long walks that are good for both of us–and not just physically. I often get good ideas as we walk. One was her Maggie Mae Pup Reporter column that many of you read in this magazine for years. I’m also grateful because she has made my life more interesting. I learned to write from a dog’s point of view.
As many of you readers know, Maggie Mae is “personable” and well-known by merchants in town. She has high self-esteem, which shows in the way she carries herself and walks down our streets and into the shops as if she owned Chappaqua. Other people notice her, and I could not have been more proud when Sophie Mendelson included her in the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival mural in the center of town.
Maggie Mae loves to ride in the car and is a great traveling companion who’s always happy with whatever we do. Since she was a puppy, she’s been a regular guest at the Red Lion Inn and has many fans in Stockbridge and the Berkshires.
As much as Maggie Mae loves to snuggle up next to me, especially when I am doing something that doesn’t include her, she is an independent dog who often likes to be alone. She’ll go into her crate, lie on her bed or find a square of sunlight on the carpet just to chill.
My heart is bigger than I ever thought. I love Maggie Mae’s little kisses, how she curls up at my feet to give me a hug. How she puts her head under my hand so I can pet her. I love her wagging tail and how she waits for me at the door.
So little can make her happy and that is a lesson we can all learn.
And as I was writing this, she came up to me, leaned in, pushed my pad and pen away and climbed on my lap. I can’t imagine life without Maggie Mae. She’s my girl and I love her dearly.
Join us for this fun-filled family fundraiser on Saturday, May 5th at FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Walker Registration in now open! Sign-up to be a Walker and you can choose to create an online fundraising page to gather pledges in support of your walk or form a team.
Take a relaxing stroll on the scenic 2.5 mile trail with your canine buddy, then go shopping in our vendor village while enjoying food, refreshments, our SPCA photo booth, kid activities, puppy kissing booth, dog agility demos and more!
Although cats can’t attend this event, we still encourage you to join us and walk on their behalf as the funds raised from this special fundraiser supports both our canine and feline friends at the SPCA.
For further details or questions, or sponsorship opportunities, email Lisa@spca914.org
or call (914) 941-2896 ext. 54
