My mom, Wendi, the founder of this blog and all time most awesome mom, has recently left her job at The Village Network to help my Dad with his business, Wooster Media Group, LLC. Recently a news press release was printed in the local paper, The Daily Record. While I am excited that Mom will be working with Dad from home, I am a little annoyed that nothing was mentioned about my new job.
O.K. I know I’m a dog and other than specific working dog breeds, we mostly don’t have jobs — other than being adorable. But I believe that I have been given very specific duties that warrant a title and maybe, ahem, some extra pay.
Mom agreed, so unbeknownst to Dad, has given me the title of Chief Scheduling Officer or CSO for Wooster Media Group, LLC. You may be wondering what that means, as I don’t know how to tell time like you humans do, at least I don’t wear a watch. It means that I let Mom and Dad know when they are in need breaks throughout the day. While I don’t think OSHA is involved in Dad’s company, I, like all dogs recognize the need to step away and do other things than just sitting at a computer.
So here is how the day breaks down — at least from my perspective as the Chief Scheduling Officer:
- 6:30 am — This is my rise and shine time of day, usually. Sometimes it is a little later; sometimes a little earlier. But this is the time that Mom takes me for a walk around the neighborhood. Now, this isn’t a new thing. I’ve been living here with Mom and Dad for almost 7 years. I always walk in the mornings. But now that Mom is working from home, her wake up time doesn’t have to be the same every day — or it perhaps I should say that would be true if I weren’t on the job. So, we get up and walk for 20-45 minutes every morning. The length of time changes only due to weather conditions.
- 12:00 pm — This is time when I get my mid-day walk. This is a new appointment that has recently been added to our day. It used to be, when Mom and Dad worked out of the house, that I’d get a walk in the morning and then in the afternoon or evening, when they got home. Now, though, I expect to get this mid-day walk, come rain or come shine. I will grant a little grace to them if they are in the middle of a project, but I do voice my displeasure if they make me wait too long. Really, how are we going to keep on schedule if they don’t follow my lead?
- 2:30 pm — This is nap time. I know what you are thinking, dogs nap all day long. This isn’t exactly true. I am often up watching the neighborhood from our living room window. I announce when UPS or FedEx drivers are in the neighborhood, even if they aren’t coming to my house. I also clue in Mom and Dad if the neighbors’ dogs are out, just so they are aware. But around 2:30, I let Mom and Dad — but especially Dad — know it is time for a nap. Now, this is one of the items on the schedule that is not followed strictly. Sometimes they just refuse to listen to me, even though I’m pretty persistent. But it really is for their best interest, and mine, that nap time be strictly followed. Sometimes the cat, Izzy, joins us, but not often. If she does, she’s usually at the bottom of the bed. That’s just how things go here at the home headquarters of Wooster Media Group, LLC.
- 4:00 pm — Whether or not we take a nap, around 4 pm — or earlier if we didn’t get a nap — it is time to take a ride. I will let this slide if, and only if, at our mid-day walk instead of staying in the neighborhood we actually drive to Oak Hill Park to walk. It is on those days that I might be O.K. with not taking a ride. Otherwise, I pretty much badger Mom and Dad to drive me somewhere. Dad sometimes tries to pull a fast one on me and take me in the car up to the mailbox and back. While this isn’t my favorite option I try not to complain, too much. I know that at some point, I’ll get a longer ride in. How can anyone say no to my puppy dog eyes?
- 6:00 pm — I know it seems like a long day, but I usually get my evening walk around 6 pm. Although I have noticed it coming a little later lately. I don’t know if it is due to daylight savings time or if it is because Mom is trying to get a little extra work done before winding down for the day. All I know is that it is time for my next walk. In most cases it is a little longer of a walk because I like to sniff in the fields and woods if at all possible. Mom doesn’t mind taking longer walks because she listens to her audio books. So while I’m trying to maintain control of my domain, Mom is off on some adventure that her favorite authors (Lee Child or Brad Thor) take her.
- 9:30 pm — This is my final outside time. You know it can be quite some time between sleeping and answering nature’s call for us dogs. I usually make sure I head out one more time before bed, but it is usually just around the house.
- 10:00 pm — This is bed time, although I have noticed that it seems to be moving back later now that Mom doesn’t work outside of the home. Regardless, I make sure both Mom and Dad go to bed at the same time. Dad sometimes argues with me, but I make it clear that as chief scheduling officer, he has to acquiesce to my schedule. He sometimes goes to bed with me and Mom and then gets back up. But by that time, he’s on his own schedule and there is nothing I can do about it — other than take up his side of the bed.
Now you might wonder what Mom and Dad do on Wednesdays when I am at Doggie Day Care at Cleveland Road Animal Hospital and Pet Hotel. You’re guess is as good as mine. I just hope they are following some sort of schedule. I don’t want them burning out!
As you can see, the life of a chief scheduling officer is quite busy. In fact, I think I might remind my crew that it is soon time for my mid-day walk. We’ve got to keep things moving if we are going to get everything done today!