Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Do You Ever Wonder What Your Dog Did All Day When You Were Working?


This morning is evolving into a scene from One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.  The dog's wet nose has been punching the side of my leg like a bingo parlor patron dabbing their game card.  How many times must my leg get sponged this morning? But, just when I think I am going to scream bloody murder at this creature, I look down and meet her big blue eyes searching mine and see the tip of her tail wagging with anticipation and hope, and I melt into a pool of heartfelt sentiment.  (Would that be like an exfoliation of the cardiovascular system?)  The poor creature has so much pent up energy she doesn't quite know what to do with it all.  So between barking at the parrot and playing bingo on my leg, she has worked herself into a knotted frenzy and now has collapsed into a lifeless looking form on the floor.  She is taking part in the ultimate escape; sleep. I do believe she has driven herself nuts.  Well, guess what?  I'm not all that far behind her.

Being at home today is driving me into the brink and the day has barely started.  What I wonder is what does this sweet creature do when I am working?  I mean, this poor dog is unemployed every day of her life!  No wonder she gets a thrill out of running to the end of the hallway, leaping onto the bed and destroying the covers, jumping down and running back up the hallway, repeat, repeat, repeat, until she is so out of breath her sides are heaving.  She's nuts!

I caught myself making faces over my shoulder at an imaginary friend, just a few minutes ago!   I now understand her behavior. The dog and I are one. We have officially gone off the deep end.

I believe today is the day to leash up the nutty pupparoo, hop in the car and go into town and walk the streets of the business district.  Why not take a look about and see just what businesses are thriving during this time of so called economic crisis?  If you have a dog, I suggest you do the same.  Dogs are great ice-breakers and who knows what ideas we might come up with, who we might meet and what contacts we will establish.  Let's gather information like squirrels gathering food for winter.  If nuts is going to be part of our life, let's make them the nuts we choose, not the nuts we become.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like this blog...it's funny. =) I have a gaggle of unemployed friends at the moment who'd like it too, anyway you can get a facebook link thingy going on?

Anonymous said...

Your last line says it all..." If nuts is going to be part of our life, let's make them the nuts we choose, not the nuts we become." Words to live by!! I, and my own crazy dogs, applaud you!
MK

Kim said...

I'm in a similar situation. Unemployed and constantly perusing Craigslist and applying for jobs. Oh, but my pup keeps me sane. We enjoy each other's wonderful company and long walks to enjoy nature. If I'm at the computer first thing in the a.m., he will scratch my leg until he is taken for his walk. After that he's pretty much a snooze hound the rest of the day. If it weren't for him, I'd miss a lot of the great outdoors.

chestr said...

Dear unemployed one,
You're not alone. I can relate to so many things you're talking about; from the thoughts of "what the hell did I do all day?" to "i need to find a job now or I'll go crazy". It's been almost 3 months since I was laid off. Of course I've had moments of desperation, but then I throw my silly me veil, my pessimistic shell breaks and a more positive me comes out.
My previous job was terrible. I can't tell you how many times I came home crying. So when I first got the news, I wasn't that bummed out. Then a roller coaster of feelings came over me.
Then, this Saturday, I found out that my fellow copywriter from my previous job, died of a massive stroke. She was 29, just like you.
Things suck out there, but we still have our talents, many reasons to live, our dogs (or the ones we wish we had), our families, places to go to, Autumn air to breathe in.
Keep up the writing; it's probably one of the most liberating things one can do. Since I'm a writer, I've decided to cook for a change and so far it's been a couple of delicious months.
Good luck to you in the job search.

Anonymous said...

Wow! What an amazing talent you have for words. I have been unemployed for two years. I was laid off for lack of work (actually it was because the Boss mans newest fling needed the income). Currently my hubby is also laid off. Reading your blog made me smile, laugh out loud and realize that I am not alone in the crazy thoughts I have had while being unemployed. Keep it up!