If you’ve ever found personal meaning in photos of other people’s dogs, then you are delusional and in luck! These five puppies have been following your career as closely as you have been following their Instagram feeds, and they have some advice for you.
Henry Wants You To Find Your Ball
Photo credit: Samantha Furry (Austin, TX)
Henry is currently focused on his ball. He apologizes if that seems rude, but retrieving this ball on a regular basis gives Henry a sense of purpose. He didn’t always know what to do about the ball. In fact, when he first encountered it, he was both nervous and excited beyond reason to see it. This made him bark and run in circles. He has since realized that focusing on the ball makes it satisfying and attainable. Henry wants you to find your ball. He means that metaphorically, of course (unless you are some kind of athlete or party planner). Set a professional goal that makes you literally bark with excitement and run around in circles. Settle for no less!
*Note: Henry says that, for him, any ball will do (not just the one pictured). He also says he loves you.
Mr. Chubbs Wants You To Be Comfortable
Photo credit: Sarah M. Vasquez (Marfa, TX)
Mr. Chubbs is a double merle living in Marfa, TX . He’s an aspiring journalist specializing in dog-on-the-street reporting. He is also partially blind, highly sensitive to sunlight, and easily overwhelmed by crowds. Mr. Chubbs’ comfort requirements are many – including an indoor setting, optimal seating, soft lighting, and minimal chatter – but he always manages to find his sweet spot. He wants you to achieve your balance of comfort and adaptability, too. Whether you work from home, a cubicle, or the nearest coffee shop, you should prioritize finding an environment that makes you happy.
*Note: Mr. Chubbs is fully aware that leaving your comfort zone is advocated by most motivational speakers and business/life gurus. He has simply decided to make his own rules because he is so precious. Oh, and he loves you.
Harper Wants You To Truly Know Yourself
Photo credit: Courtney Leonard (Austin, TX)
Harper doesn’t want to just look at you. She wants to really see you. She tilts her head inquisitively and probes with her nose not because she is skeptical, but because she is fascinated. It’s also possible that she doesn’t quite grasp the concept of “personal space.” Nevertheless, her close proximity to your person is meant as an adorable challenge. Harper wants you to be excited and curious about your potential. She thinks you’ve been a bit stagnant, and she’s concerned. According to her feedback, you need to look within and perform a thorough complacency audit (Harper has a background in accounting). She wants you to think of ways to create forward momentum in your daily habits. She would also like a treat.
*Note: Harper provides complacency audit services at reasonable rates and she loves you.
Bane Wants You To Be Tough But Loyal
Photo credit: Ryan Breitenbach (Austin, TX)
This is Bane. He has a tough exterior, but he is self-described as “lovey dovey” (translated from “[barking]”). He has been known to carefully scrutinize anyone who holds his leash, but he is also fiercely loyal once he decides he is in good company. Bane finds conventional intimidation tactics exhausting because they only project a caricature of authority. He simply wants to be respected. He has been observing your career climb, and he thinks you might be compromising too much of what you personally value to be “likable” or “part of the team.” He is giving you permission to put your paw/foot down when it comes to getting what you deserve. He is also encouraging you to be a generous team member once respect has been established.
*Note: Bane is fully aware of the duality inherent in being named after a Batman villain and also being frequently greeted with a “D’awwwww.” He laments the superficial world in which we live, but he also thinks that you can do anything he can do. He is ready to prove his love and admiration for you with enthusiastic face-licking.
Ginny Doesn’t Want You To Budge
Photo credit: Stephanie Nguyen (Austin, TX)
Ginny loves this couch. She refuses to let another soul inhabit it for any substantial period of time. She employs authoritative eyebrow movement to assert her dominance, and her face never quite relents to a smile even when she is ecstatic about getting to sit in her favorite spot. Ginny is in control of her domain at all times (except when she’s hungry). She wants you to find your domain and hold your ground. She wants you to prioritize finding that special gig with growth potential and fancy benefits, then she wants you to make authoritative eyebrows at anyone who tries to enter your domain.
*Note: Ginny loves you, too, but she will never show it. She isn’t about the theatrics. In fact, she’s mostly about napping on or near the couch.
Originally posted on my old blog, Nick vs. the Blog · More from my writing archive