My Client's Dog Took Over Our Zoom Call — And I Was Not Upset (Photos!)

Okay, I'm biased -- but I'm pretty sure this dog, Summer, is a writer at heart.

Nov 07, 2022

Hey y’all. How’s everyone holding up on this day before the midterm elections?

If you’re anywhere near as stressed as me, you might appreciate this distracting little post about a dog taking over one of my recent client meetings.

As a writing coach, I regularly use Zoom to strategize and discuss a variety of works-in-progress. I work with all kinds of clients — from bestselling authors to first-time writers to people wondering if their life experience is story-worthy (trust me, most of them are, and it all comes down to how those stories are told, but I digress).

Last month, as I logged into Zoom for a scheduled meeting, my client, Kristen, was dog-sitting for a beautiful Vizsla named Summer who, as it turns out, loves Kristen with all her heart.

“Sorry,” Kristen said. “Summer’s a bit like Velcro when I’m here. Sorry! Down, Summer!”

I couldn’t stop smiling. Or laughing. Or coughing. So taken with Summer was I that I reached for a tissue and dabbed my eyes.

“Are you kidding me?” I asked. “She can totally stay. She’s adorable!”

Kristen laughed.

I continued. “Do you mind if I take a picture of this? It’s epic,” I said through my giggles.

“Go ahead!” Kristen said, shaking her head and laughing.

As I pulled out my phone and began snapping photos, I couldn’t help but see some telltale traits of a true memoirist in this sweet little interloper — including curiosity, a strong sense of observance, fearlessness, urgency, good listening skills, and a commitment to mindfulness.