22/10/2025
🐾 Boris the Schnauzer: Chief of Daycare Operations 🐾
Every morning at daycare, just before the first coffee kicks in, there’s a sound that can only mean one thing, Boris has arrived. You can hear him before you see him: the rhythmic click-click-click of determined paws, followed by a bark that says, “Stand aside, the manager is here.”
Boris the schnauzer doesn’t attend daycare. Oh no. Boris runs daycare!
The moment his lead is unclipped, he heads straight out to daycare for his morning inspection round. First stop: the perimeter. A quick trot around the play area, a respectful sniff of the toy basket and of course, the official morning p*e to mark his presence. Only then does Boris clear his throat, well, bark, and announce: “The Chief is on duty!” Then it’s time for his jobs.
Job #1: Following Lenni.
Where Lenni goes, Boris follows. Not because he’s needy (he’ll tell you that himself), but because someone has to make sure Lenni stays on task. If Lenni’s carrying toys, Boris inspects them. If Lenni’s giving treats, Boris quality-checks them. If Lenni’s talking to another dog, Boris must make sure everything is above board.
Job #2: Greeting Through the Swing Door.
To the untrained eye, it may look like Boris is barking at the door. But in reality, this is his highly refined “Greeting Protocol.” Every time a dog or team member comes through, Boris must deliver a personalised welcome:
• Returning friend? A happy tail wag and a soft grumble, the schnauzer version of “Good to see you again, mate.”
• Staff member? A single bark that translates roughly to, “You’re late, but I forgive you.”
Job #3: Stairway Security.
Ah yes, the stairs, Boris’s command post. From here, he can monitor all movement between floors like a furry sentry. Anyone going up or down gets The Look. You know the one, eyebrows furrowed, head slightly tilted, like he’s assessing whether you’re truly authorised.
When the flow of traffic slows, Boris shifts seamlessly into his secondary stair duty: strategic napping. Don’t be fooled, though, he’s not asleep. He’s merely resting his eyes while staying fully operational.
Job #4: Afternoon Operations (a.k.a. The Cuddle Shift).
As the day winds down, even great leaders must rest. That’s when Boris clocks out of official business and reports for his favourite assignment, this afternoon nap in Lenni’s arms. He settles in, beard pressed against her shoulder, letting out a satisfied sigh that says, “Another day of excellent management.”
By the time Lenni leaves, Boris has ensured that every dog has been greeted, every human inspected, every stair monitored and every nap perfectly timed. As the door closes behind him, the daycare falls quiet for just a moment. Then someone usually says, “It’s much too quiet… when’s Boris back?” Because really, what’s a day at daycare without the bark, the beard and the brilliance of Boris: the Schnauzer in Charge?
Bek xx ☀
