Friday, October 14, 2011

"Hi! I'm Julia...

...I am nine years old and I want to volunteer here."

Our oldest Grandlittle shyly uttered these words at a little pet store earlier this week.

We had been at Build-a-Bear and afterwards had become enchanted with a little beagle puppy that tipped his head very beguilingly at us.

After we played with the beagle puppy for a long time, Julia said, "I wish I could volunteer here. Nobody will ever let me volunteer because they say I'm too young BUT I'm nine now Grandma! And Grandma! If I can't volunteer I really, really need you and Grandpa to get a puppy. Or maybe two puppies." Hmmm....ummmm...yeah...no.

(Over the past several years we've tried shelters, vet offices, and other pet stores to no avail)

I told her to ask. "You never know unless you try, Jules. If you want something you have to go for it!"

"But Grandma. I'm shy. You ask."

Firmly I told her, "I know you're only nine but you need to be able to ask for what you want, Julia, and stand up for what you don't. If you want to see if they'll let you help with the puppies, YOU have to ask!"

"They'll just say no," she said, defeated before she even started.

"Well, maybe they will," I encouraged her, "But you won't know until you ask."

So she did.

In a sweet little voice.

And she about fell over when the clerk told her that as long as she brought an adult in she could come in and help play with the puppies.

And she's been doing it now almost all week.

There was a huskie and a pug and a maltese and something else and a little bug-eyed terrier.

Julia has been so sweet about it. She excitedly calls it 'going to work' each day. "I think I need to get to work," she says, and then scrambles around helping with whatever needs done.

It's really neat to see her so excited.

She favors her broken arm, just a tiny bit and only seems uncomfortable when she hits her elbow where the metal rods from the repair protrude a bit.

Here's a few pics so you can tag along with us.





I love that the store is letting her do this!

And I love laughing at the antics of all the sweet puppies.

I think the thing I might love the most, though, has been watching one of her dreams come true.

Without actually having to buy a puppy! or two!

post signature

33 comments:

Kim Lehnhoff said...

In this lawsuit-crazy world we live in, I'm surprised they let her do it!

I'm glad she's getting this opportunity - and has learned that you have to speak up to get a chance to live a dream!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

yay for Julia! Congratulations on getting hired! That is awesome that they did allow your sweet granddaughter to volunteer any time she is able. Looks like they have a wonderful, dedicated "employee". Those puppies must love it especially!

Blessings & Aloha!
I have so many art orders to do, that I was not able to get my Z post up and join in the fun! Hugs to you and my classmates :o)

Anonymous said...

I love that we wanted to volunteer too. I bet the puppies love her.

ain't for city gals said...

This is what they call a win-win! Looks like the start of something good...

LuLu Kellogg said...

So glad they are letting her do this!!

Hope your weekend is fabulous my dear!

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

dawn said...

GO G'MA!! Where were you when I was trying to find my voice at 9 ?? I'm not a "cryer" and this little ditty almost made me cry. I love love love this story and I'm sure I have told you this, my 22 year old is a redhead and whenever I see little jules, I think of amanda at that age - anyhow - "lucky dog" :) Thanks for being willing to post piccies, I hesitated with that at first, but,, not my kids pics are plastered on my blog!

Unknown said...

Aww, she is just so cute and so very brave to ask if she can volunteer at the pet shop! I think it's really nice of the pet store for letting her help out :) Most places would probably just say "no" but they seem like really nice people :) Glad she's enjoying her "work"!

Bossy Betty said...

Just looking at her joy made me smile! Good for her and her new "job."

Unknown said...

How cute.... I always wanted to do that when I was little. I too was too shy & never even thought to just ask! She's lucky to have a grandma like you!

Ms. A said...

This is wonderful and you don't have to worry about housebreaking, or chewed up stuff! Way to go, Julia!

Pondside said...

I'm glad that you've (so far) avoided the puppy trap! I am so impressed at Julia's sticktoitiveness (I'm sure it's a word!) and the look on her face says lots and lots about the joy she's finding in her 'work'. Bless you for being the sort of grandma who will foster a dream.

Tammy said...

How AWESOME for her! That's great!

Jeanie said...

She looks like a natural in her new job. What a good grandma she has to encourage her to go for what she wants.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh how wonderful for her (and you of course). I love seeing dreams come true and such a big step for a shy girl. This is great and I love her smile! hugs, Linda

Susan Anderson said...

She is a darling girl, Jenny.

And I think you helped her to learn a very important life lesson.

What a neat g'ma you are.

=)

Lorrie said...

Yay for Julia! I'm so glad that she can volunteer in this way. And so glad that you didn't have to get a puppy!

And really glad that her arm is healing well. That was some break.

Keri {One Mama's Daily Drama} said...

What a wonderful idea! My daughter turns eight this week and has been asking for a puppy since she could talk. That's not happening any time soon, but now I'm going to look into volunteering at a shelter.

Busy Bee Suz said...

THis is so wonderful....what a sweet young lady!!!
Glad to see her arm is healing well.
xo

"Alone again.... naturally!" said...

That's very cool that they let her have her dream...may she always achieve them! And what a great influence you are for your grandlittles!

summersundays-jw said...

I love the look on her face. You can just tell how much she loves her new "job". Way to go Julia! Happy weekend! Jan

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

My littlest granddaughter volunteered at the local petting zoo this summer and she was in heaven!

She's pretty stinking cute with those puppies...

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

My littlest granddaughter volunteered at the local petting zoo this summer and she was in heaven!

She's pretty stinking cute with those puppies...

Jo said...

What a wonderful store for allowing her to volunteer! there are so many benefits to volunteering ... i am happy for your grand!!!

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

This is so great, the little puppies will love it!

Ames said...

Aw, I want to do that too! She's so cute, no wonder they gave in and let her volunteer!~Ames

Dazee Dreamer said...

I am so happy for her. You might just have a future vet on your hands.

Amy said...

What a sweet girl! And I love that the store is so awesome helping her with her dreams. Very very sweet.

Reflections said...

Smiles! Wonderful lessons well shared. Those first steps of putting ourselves out there for a possibility of no, those always are the hardest.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

This could be the start of something big! One day, you'll be able to turn the reins over to her. :)

Unknown said...

Tee hee hee... as the owner of a couple of very beguiling beagle dogs, I can understand the head-tilt trick....

J said...

that's really sweet. :) i should have done that when i had to do volunteer work as a kid.

Sharon said...

That's so sweet! I'm glad they're letting her help. It's so cute that she's taking it so seriously. And thanks for taking her, Grandma!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Now, this was a fabulous post, Jenny! I love seeing her dreams come true, too. What a wonderful thing, and what a wonderful thing for those puppies. It's a win/win!

XO,

Sheila