Now we have this little puppy named Pumpkin. How is he going to adapt at our massage clinic? A lot of work and attention. Only 8 weeks old. Are we up to the task?
First, we have to get a line outside so he can go do his necessities without us 100% being tied to him. Along with the line, comes Number 2. Oh no: we didn’t want people coming into our clinic having to pass around puppy poop. That was certainly a challenge.
What an impact Pumpkin’s presence had on our client base, seeing him outside tied to a line, eating ants, like candy. OMG!!!. Then when inside, Pumpkin was the main attraction. Amazing how a little fur ball puppy could captivate everyone’s attention.
Quickly, Pumpkin was a major part of our business and clients couldn’t wait to see him as they arrived. An ice breaker, a calming affect, sharing love with such a love sharing and seeking puppy.
In an environment of massage therapy, one expects the surroundings to be quiet. Well Pumpkin showed everyone how quiet he could be unless he wanted in to be loved by the customers. He never barked as a puppy, only when he was playing with a ball and he and the ball fell off a ledge, and to his surprise, he barked. What a big bad bark!!!.
We were very pleased that in an environment of quiet and peaceful tranquility, Pumpkin took the charge of quiet responsibility very well and was never a disruption.
Now occasionally early on, he would love to get the chance to bolt out the door if a client opened the door too wide and for two long. Away to the lawn, or occasionally down the strip plaza to the ladies working at the realty office. We would quickly get a call. Pumpkin is here with us. He’s fine. Our mistake was introducing him to those ladies. With all that love and attention, would you, if you had a chance, escape to run and get all that affection?
He loved people and couldn’t get enough of those who took to him. He knew pet lovers before we did. He ended up our welcome guide and everyone truly enjoyed him.
In my massage career, I would get phone calls from a few of my clients, who couldn’t afford many massages. They would ask if it would be ok if they could come in to spend time with pumpkin. What a heart warming feeling. This little guy is impacting our clients in many other ways than massage. Companionship, giving him love, and getting attention, comforting them. This was a great stress release in itself. Who wouldn’t want that.
With or without the clients permission, Pumpkin would sneak into the massage room and either stand at the front of the table getting petted, or eventually laying down and soak up all the beautiful energy and atmosphere from the soothing music. The part of standing in front of the table getting rubbed came to some people as a surprise. If you didn’t start petting him, you soon would feel a cold nose coming up under the massage table face rest. He had found his place in life. Oh how wonderful a job he acquired. Plenty of rubs, hugs, petting, comfortable environment, everybody’s attention. Who could have asked for more.
Pumpkin even got to a point where a client, named Kathy, his adopted Aunt, would come in, get a massage, and take Pumpkin for walks. Then it became a regular event, where Kathy would stop in on occasion and ask to take Pumpkin for a walk. The two of them quickly became buddies and they enjoyed many many walks over his life together.
She also became his baby sitter. If we ever needed time away, on vacations, etc, Kathy was always there giving him all the walks and attention he wanted. We felt so heart happy as to how Pumpkin took to Kathy and vice versa.
There was a time though that the experience shared between the two was a bit overwhelming and stressful. Kathy came to watch Pumpkin in the winter while we were on a trip out of the country.
On the very first day together, they were out walking, and Kathy slipped on ice on the sidewalk and fell. Her first concern was to hold on for dear life, the leash so Pumpkin wouldn’t get away. To everyone’s dismay, Kathy broke her knee. Here she is laying on the sidewalk, cold, a broken knee and Pumpkin tied to her side with her still holding his leash.
Finally, someone saw her need for help and called for 911. Now a sheriff deputy arrives, along with an ambulance. At this time, Kathy is beside herself. She’s hurt and now what does she do with Pumpkin. They are taking her to the hospital. Oh my god, I can’t leave Pumpkin alone, she worries.
At this time, she shares with the sheriff deputy where Pumpkin lives. For the first time and only time in Pumpkin’s life, he gets a ride in the sheriff’s car to our house. Kathy had given the deputy our garage door opener, and he took Pumpkin to our house and got him inside and left him there. He took the garage door opener to her and the sheriff’s office checked later to make sure Pumpkin was alright. What a day, what an experience, for both Pumpkin and Kathy.
Ever been in another country and get a phone call for help and trying desperately to get a hold of someone who can help out for pumpkin in this situation? Well after several costly calls, we were able to get another client to take pumpkin into their home while we were on vacation and Kathy was in the hospital undergoing knee surgery.
A memory of panic and how Kathy was so worried about Pumpkin, that the broken knee was second to making sure her walking buddy was safe. A true aunt. He never forgot her compassion and concern. They were tied to the hip the rest of his life.