In The Company Of Dogs.

One of my first jobs was working in a mailroom and brief daily chats with delivery people—mostly the UPS carriers, who tended to be friendly types, were one of the highlights of my day, especially around the holidays because there was a Jack Daniel’s distributor on another floor, and they’d give the delivery people a bottle of whiskey as a gift and the UPS carrier would then give it to me. I like a nip now and then, not to mention the occasional drink, and I’d usually finish the bottle around November. I kind of miss the free whiskey, although I know where to get my own, but more than that I miss those few minutes of the work day when I’d get a break and the delivery person would also get a chance to relax before running off to deliver more boxes.

What brought this back to me is learning that there are Instagram and Facebook accounts for UPS Dogs, where UPS drivers share pictures of dogs and other assorted animals they meet on their routes and if that doesn’t warm your cockles you probably don’t know where your cockles are.

Source: Instagram

It reminds me of Dylan Thomas’s description of the postmen in A Child’s Christmas In Wales, “fond of walking and dogs and Christmas and the snow,” and if you don’t get the sarcasm there you probably don’t know where your cockles are, but that’s another story.

Now when I’m walking home from work or to the bus stop I sometimes meet dogs. It doesn’t happen regularly, but when it does it’s really one of the best parts of my day, at least until I get home and get greeted by our dogs. I’ve even gotten to know some dogs, like the one who’s left alone in her yard all the time and just really wants some company. The best I can do is stop and talk to her a bit before I move on, wondering why the people who live there even bothered to get a dog. If you have a dog remember they’re part of the family. Bring them in and show them you love them. And maybe do something nice for the UPS person.

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6 Comments

  1. Tom

    I love the UPS folks! You’re right. Of all the delivery peeps, they are the friendliest. And when I was young I had a lawn route and ran into a LOT of dogs, and they always made my day. Even the mean ones. But that, truly, is a different story.

    My dogs are my kids. Period. And today they hopped up on Cool Whip. Especially Marvel, who can’t seem to slow down and is currently breathing on my arm as I type. Oy. Remember to love him. Remember to love him. Remember to love him.

    Merry Christmas, Christoper!

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      Our dogs really are kids who never grow up.
      And I think the UPS folks get some benefits that keep them happy, and not just the annual bottle of whiskey. Most of the ones I’ve met really like people, which I think is part of what prompted them to take the job delivering packages in the first place.

      Reply
  2. Ann Koplow

    I love being in your company, Chris. Thanks for another wonderful post.

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      A happy journey is made by good companions, and you help make this a happy journey indeed.

      Reply
  3. Arionis

    Our dogs are also are kids now that our biological ones are grown and own their own. I can’t understand why anyone would get a dog and then leave it chained up outside. That makes me sad. I’ll have to go check out this Instagram group to cheer me back up.
    Arionis recently posted…Things Not Groin The Way I HopedMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      Since my wife and I have never had biological kids our dogs have always been our children, although, funny enough, I think even if we did have biological kids our dogs would still be just as much part of the family. That’s how it was when I was growing up.

      Reply

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