Work Experience with Muttamorphosis

Tue 19 Feb 2008 by Jenn Leschelles

Work experience isn’t really how I’d describe my week with Sue. Without wanting to sound too much like I’m just a walking advert for Muttamorphosis, my week was fantastic. It was so much fun to work with all the dogs and Sue was so interesting and upbeat to be around that it didn’t feel like ‘work’ at all. It was just my aching legs by the end of the week that gave it away.
Almost all of the dogs were happy to let me join their group; the only exception was Sam, who was a bit wary of me at first. To be fair I did just turn up at his front door with Sue one day and once he realised that, not only was I not a threat, but I actually had treats, he was willing to put up with my company. Other highlights include being pulled over into a muddy puddle by Bracken on the town moor (and walking round the rest of the day with mud all up one side of me), walking Maggie the tiny dog who believes she’s a lion and watching Dave the army tank play with a brick half the size of his head as though it was a rubber ball.
Wednesday afternoon was fun; me and Sue decided to take a trip to a DIY store and managed to successfully buy a hose. (We’d had initial doubts, neither of us having bought a hose before). We tested it out by cleaning the van, which went great and I ended up climbing inside the cages when I was vacuuming, which was an interesting experience. I also got invited to go to the puppy training class at Westway vets that night. The puppies were all really enthusiastic and whizzed around all over the place. Even when they were doing ‘sit’, they were practically shuddering with anticipation to get up and go smell some more chair legs and things. A quick tour round the back of the vets resulted in an abruptly ended conversation that night with my Dad, too:
“Dad, there’s these two rescue cats out the back of Westways, they’re really sweet and they’re looking for homes because…”
”Nope.”
(So if anyone’s looking to buy a cat, get a rescue one).
My week was really brilliant. I learnt a lot and had a great time while most of my friends were stuck in offices or on shop floors. I loved all the animals and Sue was great to work with, so I just want to say thanks to the dog owners for trusting me with your gorgeous dogs, and thanks to Sue for putting up with me.
Jenn.

Important things I learnt this week:
- Dog walking and decent clothes do not get on.
- Small ponies and large dogs can mistake each other for other small ponies and large dogs.
- The tiniest dogs can sometimes be the scariest to other dogs.
- Never walk across light carpets in muddy boots. Especially if it’s not your house.
- It will be muddy the day after you clean the van.
- Labradors will not sit still unless fed.
- Golden retrievers can pull you over.
- German shepherds like to spin.
- Sticks are like chocolate covered gold to a dog until it’s time to get back in the van.
- Even the most well behaved dog can, in a moment of madness, attempt to steal food from a stranger’s shopping bag.
- Shares in poo bags should be available.
- Dogs can find sticks anywhere, even when the nearest tree is 2 fields away.
- Never bring dog toys on a walk unless you expect to lose them.

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