Who really is the goodest boy of them all?
The Unversity of Guelph is notorious for being a dog-friendly campus. If it’s not the multitude of guide dog puppies in training, it’s Guelph residents and non-students who walk their dogs across campus seeking out affection (for their dog) — and the affection is always granted. This week, The Contrarion sat down with Guelph’s self-proclaimed number one dogspotter, Leslie Thompson, to talk about her inspiration, her training regimen, and why all dogs really are good dogs.
Leslie Thompson: When did you first know you wanted to become a professional dogspotter?
Leslie Thompson: I’ve known since I was young. Other kids were asking for Barbies, G.I. Joes, Hot Wheels — I was asking for dog breed books. I’ve always dabbled with other animals, you know, horses, cats, the usual — but soon enough, it was all about dogs. When I correctly guessed my first Samoyed-Shepherd cross, I knew it was over for me. It was a thrill knowing that I was the only one who just knew.
LT: What is your training regimen?
LT: Eye drops are key. You have to make sure your eyes aren’t red or itchy and that you can see clearly — if you blink, you’ll miss it. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it. I also do a lot of finger stretches for petting.
LT: What are some of your dogspotting tactics?
LT: Most of the time, you need to stand in the breeze and just feel it. Feel the dogs around you. Follow your nose, follow your eyes. Spot the movement. Sometimes they can show up so quick, and you have to be ready. Sometimes it happens by luck. One second you’re walking to the bus, and the next a floofer is walking beside you — like I said, you always have to be ready.
LT: How do you deal with feisty owners?
LT: Learning how to make small talk is one of the most important parts of the dogspotting game. Often, humans are the first barrier to meeting your new best friend. Give a little smile, pretend to care about what they’re saying, but focus on the fur that is now between your fingers and the paws that are now on your lap. This moment is what you suffered through conversation for.
LT: How do you know if a dog really is a good dog?
LT: This question is unacceptable. I have never met a dog that was a… I can’t even think about it, really. The b-word isn’t part of my vocabulary. I’m honestly appalled you had the nerve to ask.