Mango Minster - Cabana the Working Stiff

For the first time, Cabana and I have decided to participate in Mango Minster. Being extremely slow on the uptake, it has taken me about 3 years to figure out that Mango Minster is a dog blog show and contest, put on by the Mango Momma, based on the Westminster Dog Show. As Mango himself would say, "Duh!"

I have entered Cabana in the Working Stiffs category. After all, she may have flunked out as a guide dog, but she still works hard for her keep! Over the holidays, Cabana was invaluable as a babysitter, or more specifically, a young boy sitter. My nephews, ages 8 and 5, came for a visit, and Cabana was in stellar working form, which will undoubtedly lead to inevitable questions from the boys about why can't get their own dog back home in Louisiana. Sorry, but that's what happens when you come to the home of the greatest working stiff dog in the world.

Here, Cabana lets the boys practice reading to her. Her previous experience as a certified therapy dog/reading buddy came in handy. See how intently Cabana checks for accuracy? Or maybe she's having a staring contest with the Angry Bird on my nephew's shirt.

Always one to set a good example, Cabana shows the boys how to pose for a photo. They copy her, down to the paws! Now if only Cabana could teach them how to eat their vegetables....

Playing follow the leader, Cabana makes sure to steer the boys down the straight and narrow path. Exercise and routine are sacrosanct, and house guests are no reason for skipping a morning walk, especially when the standard dog rule also applies here--namely, a tired boy is a good boy.

If dog tummies make good pillows, cousin tummies must make good pillows, too. As with most things in our house, Cabana is at the center of the fun. With a single move, she can recapture the attention from all those bleepity techno gadgets, like iPhones, iPads, Nintendos and xBoxes. Cabana holds her own against them all--and that's got to be the toughest job there is! Any creature that can accomplish that deserves a prize, wouldn't you agree?

Hope you'll wish us luck in the contest. Or better yet, why not enter, too? I hear there are going to be some great prizes!