Networking Tips...From My Terrier

In these tough economic times, I'm finding myself doing a lot of networking versus working, unfortunately. As a marketing consultant, it can be feast or famine, and many of us are feeling the hunger pangs. So it is important to continue to build connections, network, join groups, be sociable (even when you don't feel like it). And the funny thing is, I find that following the lead of my dog (she rarely follows my lead) has it's advantages. Let me explain.

Coconut, our Westie, just wants to be included. She is very attentive and wants to be helpful.

Tip #1: Be attentive to your audience. Listen to them like your next meal depends on it. They will feel very important and may remember you when the next project comes along (because you made them feel good).

Coconut can be extremely funny, goofy and silly, but seems to know when to chill out.

Tip #2: Humor works, but keep it to safe, small doses. Get their attention, but then make sure you quickly revert back to Tip #1.

Being a Terrier, our dog is smart, quick, and doesn't back down, much.

Tip #3: Say smart, intelligent things, add to the conversation, disagree if you have to. This shows you have your own mind and would bring new ideas to the party.

Coconut is CUTE! Especially when she wears some adorable bandana.

Tip #4: Dress like you mean it. Even though the evening networking event encourages casual dress, your sweat pants and old school t-shirt are a bad look. Dress like you may get hired....and not as the gardener (unless that is your aim).

Coconut is very loving and attentive, but knows when to turn it off.

Tip #5: Don't try TOO hard. Don't look desperate. Chat, smile, add your pithy comments, but don't hang on their every word. Go get a drink, a cheese cube, whatever, and seek him/her out later in the evening. You'll look more in control.

So there you have it. Tips from the Terrier Front. Hope they serve you well in navigating the tricky networking waters.

Leave Chimps in the Wild...Get a Terrier for Real Spunk

How unbelievably sad....a large, 200 lb chimp as a pet (or companion, in this case) that reveals its true colors (duh, I'm a wild animal, not a puppy) and attacks an innocent woman. Rips her face off, literally. I'm referring, of course, to the Connecticut woman who had the chimp living with her, as in, REALLY living with her. Sleeping together, bathing together, combing her hair (ick). In her defense, she lost her daughter and husband a few years back, so it's not unnatural for her to need something to love.

So that's why I say...GET A DOG! They love unconditionally, are really funny, cute, etc. Need some basic care (train them up front and reap the benefits). I know, they can't comb hair, but they can sleep and bathe with you, if you're into that kind of thing.

Better yet, get a terrier! Spunky, feisty, smart, cute, doesn't weigh 200 pounds, doesn't wear diapers. And doesn't live to be 60 YEARS OLD! And most terriers are small enough that you can cuddle them on your lap just like a human baby, again, if you're into that sort of thing.

Now I'm not a PETA person, but I really believe this story has uncovered some real cruelty to animals. This chimp was a TV/movie chimp. They are ripped from their moms very young and then, to get them to do the cute faces we see on TV, they are usually threatened w/sticks. And then, after they are 8 years old, the chimps are of no use to the movie biz and end up usually in some dirty roadside "zoo" in a garbage-filled cage. (Saw this on the news today). VERY SAD. Let's keep chimps in the wild and encourage people to go back to good old traditional pets---DOGS, CATS, GERBILS....

Wow, I feel better. I'm off the soapbox now.....Let me know what you think.

Terrier Poem Sums it Up!

This poem (found on http://westiepuppiesblog.com/) is so cute I had to share. But I need to know: who are the slow, fat dogs? Let me know! Happy Valentines--look at my adorable bandana -- thanks to the groomer :)

Terrier:

I am a little terrier dog
As feisty as can be.
So don’t you come in to my yard
And don’t you mess with me!

I know my rights, I have my ways,
I’m always on the go
(Not like some dogs I could mention
Who are lazy, fat and slow).

Devoted to my owners
And of that there is no doubt,
But strangers? I may let them in -
But I won’t let them out!

I’m a cocky little terrier dog
As you can plainly see,
But if you want a loving friend,
then that is really me!

Liz Heslop

Twilight Obsession Leads to Terrier Blogging Block

Wow...I really became obsessed with the Twilight vampire book series, by Stephanie Myers. So much so that I couldn't focus on ANYTHING until I finished that series. So I apologize to my loyal fan(s?) for not spending time ruminating about Tenacious Terriers lately.

But seriously, I am NOT a love-crossed teenager, or twenty-something, or thirty-something (I stop there), but the Twilight books (although spell-binding) are not literary masterpieces. But they are so engaging!!! Ah, young love, even vampire love, just sucks you in.

So, Coconut, my cute, crazy, lovable Westie and I would find excuses to read a few more pages, curled up on the couch, while I ignored the duties of the day. She was more than happy to oblige. As she ages (she is only one), laying around on the couch is an admirable objective for her, a birthright, so-to-speak. And to have a companion! Wow, anything to make my little Terrier content.

By day, when I am not obsessing over teenage vampires and their unrequited love, I am a marketing consultant. I work with respectable large and small companies to help them market and promote their products and services. Mostly, I work from a home office. Having the "next" book of this spell-binding series just up the stairs (my daughter read them all so that was the beginning of my twisted journey) was TOO tempting. Should I work on that proposal or just begin to read a "few" pages of Book Three, Eclipse? I could do some background research for a current client, or, what the heck, let's grab the dog and relax for a chapter or two (or three, or four). Before you know it, the day is gone.

So, now I am going through withdrawal. The series is over. No more vampire angst. Werewolves (or shape-shifters?) and bloodsuckers are friends...("Oh, the Farmer and Cowman should be friends..."). Life is back to normal. Coconut, our fun-loving terrier, will go back to hanging out on the back deck, alone. And, I will not begin another time-sucking series like that for awhile. I've got to get back to business and blogging!

Super Bowl Excitement, Terrier Mayhem...Golf Clap Anyone?

So, we celebrated the Super Bowl! Great game...lots of screaming, clapping, jumping up and down. Mostly in the last quarter, but hey, those last 15 minutes were exciting.

Good thing we were not at our house.... what with our crazy excitement-hating, stressed-out Westie hanging around. Coconut HATES activity. What I mean is clapping, yelping, screaming "Go...Go...Go!" doesn't work for her. She gets more than a little agitated. To the point that if you don't anticipate the next exciting play of the game and get a firm grip on her collar, you may end up with a friendly "nip" on the ankle, or even better, the chin. Yikes! Not a good scene with kids around.

Now, she is great with kids, loves to lick and get a good tummy rub like the best of them. But when kids run around or we get all excited watching sports SHE GOES POSTAL! Barking, running all over the place, nipping at us. Not good. It's funny for a quick second, then I start to think about the angry mom when her kid comes home with cute little teeth marks from cute little Coconut....

So we promote "golf claps" and "silent cheers" and, for goodness sake, stay in your seat! That's why celebrating the Super Bowl anywhere but at home was great for us! Down right LOUD. Lots of obnoxious cheering. Screaming at the TV. We let ourselves go CRAZY, because we weren't with our crazy Westie.

But we did miss her, we always do. But we wonder, is she unique? Or are Terriers just an agitated sort. Do we look like active little vermin to her when we scream/yell/clap/jump? I'm of course referring to breeding, not our grooming, for those confused. I'd love to hear your stories...