We interrupt the saga of my personal home sale to share my latest Pet Gazette article!

As a real estate agent, I have long been able to enjoy 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 a hike 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 then there were two trails that wound down through the property, across some rocky ledges and ending on a sandy beach on the French Broad River. I would often join 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 full picture of a property so showing it to them myself only made sense. On the first weekend that this property was on the market, we had six showings scheduled. Five were on Saturday. I took my Golden Retriever, Tucker with me and together 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 our work day 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 debris pile 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 next morning 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; made sure 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 dogs reach. Tucker wasn’t a fighter but he wasn’t a pushover either!

Another time I was viewing a home that was 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 of a man that was out hunting with his dogs. He was using a radio collar for tracking and I was curious about how he was able to track them. The gentleman stood next to the open window while we had a nice conversation. 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 in empty houses. Tucker was doing his part to keep me safe.

Recently I sold a home in Leicester belonging to a little old lady who was half blind. She was in agreement that it was time for the house to be sold but it was still a sad time which made 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 of the paperwork, allowing himself to take all of 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 that they are good citizens who will be invited to join me wherever I want to go. I strive for them to be ambassadors for all canines that work and travel at their owner’s sides.  Hopefully you, too get to enjoy your dog during your workday.  Cheers!