As a real estate agent, I have long enjoyed my dog’s company as a regular part of my day. In fact, I have often had clients request that my dogs join us when we are viewing land. Nothing makes hiking on a large tract more enjoyable than watching Fido happily bound through the woods. I remember one 25 acre tract that I had listed for sale. It had a nice level area for a home site at the top, and then two trails wound down through the property, across some rocky ledges, and ended on a sandy beach on the French Broad River. I often joined the buyer’s agent in showing this property to their clients since I had a good idea of where the trails were located. A listing agent’s number one concern is ensuring that a buyer gets the complete picture of a property, so showing it to them myself only made sense. On the first weekend this property was on the market, we scheduled six showings. Five were on Saturday. I took my Golden Retriever, Tucker, with me, and we showed this property each time. Luckily, not everyone wanted to hike to the river, but we did make that loop at least three times. When we arrived home from work, we both crashed on the living room floor for a nap and were soon interrupted by my husband’s request to help clean up a pile of debris that he had created. I agreed as long as he joined me the next day. I wanted him to know why I was so tired!
The following day we drove back to the property; this time, our puppy, Truly, joined us. My clients and I, my husband and both dogs hiked down to the river and back up again. We all had a good time viewing the land. When we arrived back at the vehicles, I was distracted with my clients and hadn’t noticed that puppy Truly had ventured over to say hello to a neighbor’s dog who was out on a chain. The dog tried to attack Truly who squealed and thankfully got away. I quickly grabbed her, ensured she was ok, and put her in her crate. Stupid me! I wasn’t paying attention! I also wasn’t paying attention to Tucker, who was now circling the chained dog, peeing every three feet just outside the dog’s reach. Tucker wasn’t a fighter, but he wasn’t a pushover either!
Another time, I was viewing a home under construction way up on a mountain in the little community of Trust. It was remote. On my way down the mountain, I stopped the truck to ask a question about a man out hunting with his dogs. He was using a radio collar for tracking, and, being a dog trainer myself, I was curious about how the tracking device worked. The gentleman stood beside the open window while we conversed pleasantly. Then I looked at Tucker. He obviously wanted us to leave, so I did. Sorry for the anti-climax with that little story, but real estate agents often put themselves in harm’s way by meeting total strangers in remote areas or empty houses. Tucker was doing his part to keep me safe.
My dogs sometimes work as unofficial therapy dogs. Recently, I sold a home in Leicester belonging to a little old lady who was half blind. She agreed that it was time for the house to be sold, but it was still a sad time, making it stressful. Her daughter requested that I bring one of my Golden Retrievers to visit with her mom. This time I took Tag, our very gentle and soft-hearted Golden. He sat by her side through all the paperwork, allowing himself to take all the petting and ear rubbing that she doled out. She gave him a hug when we were done and thanked me for bringing him. She said he made the day easier for her.
Our dogs enrich our lives in so many ways and I am happy that they often bring joy to others as well. I train my dogs and work hard to ensure they are good citizens who will be invited to join me wherever I go. I strive for them to be ambassadors for all canines that work and travel at their owner’s side. Hopefully, you get to enjoy your dog during your workday as well. Cheers!
