Puppy Power at the PCN

Puppy Power at the PCN

Long before Millennials and Hipsters made it fashionable to have dogs at the workplace, the Phillips County News has had a puppy presence.

Before I got here – and for the week I shared the office with the two – Curtis and Bonnie Starr had Benny at the News office, greeting visitors with a one-eyed, tail-wagging grin. The little guy was as loving as could be and I still see him on Curtis’ Facebook page from time to time.

Following Benny at the shop was Peanut, Vikki Truelove’s Pomeranian who was also as friendly as they come. If old Peanut barked at an individual when they came in – which wasn’t often – I knew to be on-guard with that person because if Peanut didn’t care for you, chances were good I wouldn’t either. When Vikki left the News office for greener pastures, she took little Peanut with her and unfortunately the pooch passed not too long ago after being a loyal companion to the Trueloves and their various cats.

The next newshound at the PCN is Langston (Hemmingway Hebert) a 4-month old Blue Heeler/ Rottweiler cross. Like the dogs at the PCN before him, Langston is a friendly dog and is happy to see people when they come through the front door – in-between his daylong naps perched on his blanket underneath my desk.

A study conducted by the Humane Society in May of 2016 claims dogs in the workplace improve job satisfaction and performance, reduces stress levels and increases connectivity between co-workers. Thus far, Langston has met most of the above goals, but the stress level part – at least for me – hasn’t come to fruition yet.

How can such a small dog make so many, let’s call them, “party fouls.” After picking up several of the said fouls during Langston’s first day of work, I have figured out that anytime he moves away from his blanket, chances are good that he is backed up and ready to explode.

It has been a long time since I have had a puppy. It is easy to forget what having a puppy entails and how it changes a daily routine. Things like sleep, silence and sanity fly right out the doggy-door. Though Langston loves everyone, the other dog in the family, Stella, and the cat, Steve, think Langston is a real pain in the tail. Stella is warming to the puppy but is still leery of him when he gets excited as that enthusiasm often ends up with Langston pouncing his 30-pound frame on top of the tiny Chihuahua. Steve, the cat who has brought us such wonders as doing a number two in a wastebasket, doesn’t share Stella’s warming feelings for the puppy. He hisses, swats and then runs like his (non-existent) tail has been stepped on. Steve’s departure is only slowed by what appears to be a backwards glace as he raises his right paw and flips his middle claw in the air (that’s my story and I am sticking to it.)

At the end of the day, Langston is here to stay (famous last words) and I invite you to come down to meet him and rub his belly (and if he should piddle on your shoe, rest assured he really, really likes you.)

Thanks for reading and Woof.