Maybe The Best Job on Planet Earth

Tis the holiday season. Let’s give each other a gift and have some fun.

 A New “Business” Model

I refer to the topic of today, a new “business” in quotation marks because it looks like so much fun, it is more of a treat than a job. But it is spreading and it appears people are making a living doing this. There is at least one such service in my area- I bet more will pop up around the country. They already exist in Canada, too. 

Dogs On A Bus

If you are on social media, you likely have seen clips on this thing.

The basic idea is that someone gets a school bus and fixes it up so that every seat has two- three short leashes. The bus goes on rounds just like a school bus, picking up dogs from their homes. The dogs are so excited about the coming ride that they are almost beside themselves with eager anticipation.

The regulars have it down pat. They get on the bus, say hello and get a pat from the driver, go down the row and great every other dog, then take their seat (many have truly their seat, the one they always go to occupy). Some have a little trouble making it up the steps – they tend to wear vests with a handle that the driver can reach out to help them up without delay.

Energy is high, with everyone barking and waging tails, many noses sniffing out the open windows. I expect some sort of prescreening is done to ensure the dogs all get along.

If a dog is celebrating a birthday or adoption anniversary, the owner can prearrange for that dog to get some sort of crown for the ride, and all the doggy buddies get treats in honor of that dog’s special day. Same for major holidays. Sometimes a number of the other dogs let it be known they want a hat, etc. also. No problem – they are adorned as requested.

Outdoor Fun For All

In short order, they arrive at the designated play place. The dogs burst out of the buss like an explosion, ready to play. Usually the site is a very large field, fenced in and with lots of room to run and sniff. Many have some light forests, almost all have a stream or pond, some with really big mud puddles (your dog may not come home all that clean, but happy).

Some places may be lightly snow covered. Some have smaller play areas with lots of toys for tug of war, fetch, etc. Lots of fresh water scattered around to keep everyone hydrated. A long period of playing in pairs or in a pack, running and sniffing alone, digging, swimming – whatever soothes and entertains a furry soul.

Back Home

At the designated time, the dogs are called back to the bus. Reluctantly but reliably almost all answer the call and reboard the bus. A couple may need rounding up. The ride home is remarkably quite – everyone is happily exhausted. The bus stops at each resident, blows the horn, and releases the dog to it human. Not all dogs are really ready to give up the ride, but they do so.

Sign Me Up!

Being a part of this bus team must be the best job in the world. Can you imagine how much fun that would be? Heck, I would pay them to let me drive the bus!

I have endeavored to describe what all this looks and feels like, but nothing beats a live video for this sort of thing. I know not all readers of this blog have social media connections, so rather than a link to some of these sites, I have cobbled together a combined video showing the pickup, the ride out, play time, and the return.

With any luck, you should be able to hit the link below, click the start arrow, and enjoy the show – no social media account or downloading required.

Not exactly a professional video, but hopefully it conveys the joy in all this. Have fun watching 6 minutes of pure joy!  

Click HERE:  https://tinyurl.com/DogsOnABus

See You Next Week

This time of year contains literally dozens of holidays from a long list of religions and cultures. Whatever may fit you and yours, happy holidays.

Bill Clontz

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Let’s grow our circle.