June 29, 2010

White Dog had just settled onto my shoulder and the arm of the chair for her post-breakfast nap when the phone rang. I looked at her, shrugged at the interruption, and answered. She could immediately tell from my change in demeanor and posture that this was a "business" call and she sighed as she climbed down and sat on the floor. I have just agreed to take on a new project, this one involving Global Sustainability, but I wasn't scheduled to jump aboard until after the holiday weekend. Unfortunately, the group was swamped and needed me to do a "quick, final" edit on a proposal...which needed to go out in a matter of hours. White Dog stood and shook, "this is going to be like the Mayan village, isn't it?" she asked. "You are going to spend all our time tied to the computer doing stupid human stuff!" I was already heading into the office to receive the electronic information and I turned back guiltily. "This should only take a couple of hours," I whined, "Please try to understand that this is important." "A couple of hours, my fluffy white tail! I know how this goes. You will be clicky clacking away most of the day," with that White Dog turned and stalked off to nap behind the chair. "You know momma loves you, right?" I asked Quinn but he followed his sister's lead and walked off. "You both are NOT going to guilt me about doing a project that is challenging and important!" I said loudly to the room...but their silence told the true story, which is that they could.