Pooper Scoop

This is very hard for me to admit. Not necessarily because of embarrassment, as that would come all to often if I let it, but from the back slide of the puppy boy I so often compliment.

I visited the chiropractor, Dr. Jerry, last week. He is someone I have known for a while now, and he is a dog guy. Specifically, a lab guy. Every morning his 11-year old lab, Mitchell, accompanies him to work. At lunch time, he brings Mitch home to rest. Dr. Jerry, with complete sincerity, invited Shea to my recheck appointment this afternoon.

I cautiously entered, with Shea excitedly by my side. Was Dr. Jerry sure he wanted this? Shea really has been great lately, but this was risky! There was so much he could get into. But, Dr. Jerry welcomed Shea with open arms and showed him nothing but love!

As I lay in the chiropractic table getting adjusted, another patient of Dr.Jerry's arrived. He did not mind Shea in the least. Shea was very busy sniffing around, taking in all the smells of Mitchell. Then it happened. The guy in the waiting room declared, "I think he is pooping." No way Shea was pooping. He hasn't pooped inside since he was a ripe 2 month old puppy. He is a fast learner and potty training was the first thing he actually learned. The guy must be mistaken.

I laughed it off and told Dr. Jerry there was no way this was true. I had complete confidence in my guy. However, my confidence began to waver as I got a whiff of a terrible bathroom smell. With each second, the smell grew more potent. Oh my God! Shea freakin pooped in Dr. Jerry's waiting room. What was I going to do?

I immediately jumped up from the table, for Dr. Jerry to basically throw me back down. He was going to finish adjusting my back before we checked it out. To my relief, he was very calm about Shea's defecation. In fact, he flat out thought it was hilarious!

I was finally able to get up and clean Shea's mess. I apologized profusely to Dr. Jerry, his secretary, and the waiting patient, who all simply laughed at me, clearly finding the humor in all of it. Actually, Dr. Jerry had the exact cleaning supplies someone would need to pick up dog poop. I questioned him about this and he said that dogs have done much worse in his office. I am not quite sure what much worse could be, but I was sure to put forth my best effort in cleaning his gleaming hardwood floors.

Apparently Shea needs much more work than Jeff had even envisioned. I left with my jaw dropped, still in amazement that my dog had just done that. With hard work and strict training, I am hoping that pretty soon, I can whip Shea into exactly what we want him to be. Not just an obedient, well-behaved dog, but one who cleans up after himself!

Hey, you can never set your goals too high!