Finding The Right Job

We all know how hard it is to find the perfect job. Different people look for different things. Dogs are much the same. There are dogs to fill lots of different jobs.

Guide dogs.

Herding dogs.

Search and rescue dogs.

Military dogs.

Dogs that jump out of helicopters.

Dogs that jump out of boats.

Dogs that help drive big rigs.

Dogs that pull sleds.

Dogs that look for drugs.

Dogs that help us learn to read.

Service dogs for people with disabilities.

Some dogs even have blogs.

You get the idea.

Portuguese Water Dogs are working dogs. They used to work on the fishing boats in Portugal. The dog was considered an important member of the crew.

The dogs had many duties on the boat. They pulled nets, herded fish into the nets, retrieved items and sometimes people that fell overboard and carried items between boats and from the boats to shore. They also warned when sharks were in the area. When the boats were at dock the dogs stayed aboard and guarded the fisherman's equipment.

During the winter when the boats didn't go out to sea, the dogs protected the flocks of sheep.

Noah needed a job. He isn't into playing with toys or chasing the ball. He needed to be busy, but all the jobs around here were filled.

Then he found a very important job that no one else was doing. Noah helps me get breakfast and dinner ready every day.

Each morning I remove the dog bowls from the dishwasher and we all head for the garage. Everybody is in a hurry to get outside to relieve themselves, but Noah stays in the garage to help me.

I carry the bowls to the table where the bags of dog food are located. Noah stays close by because his very important job is picking up any pieces of kibble that I drop while filling the bowls.

It's an important job because if dog food lays around on the garage floor, it's an invitation to mice to come in and make themselves at home. We don't want that. As careful as I try to be, a piece or two usually hits the floor and Noah is on them.

Once all the bowls are filled, Noah gets to eat first. Then he goes outside while some of the others come in to eat. Finally the second group comes in, then everyone is finished and goes back outside.

At dinner we repeat the process.

Since he started his job, Noah is a much happier boy. It's great when one finds the perfect job.