Frequently, I am followed around the project site with observers of various sizes and personalities. Some bark, some meow, some growl and some even bite.
Regardless of their personality, many are a force to be reckoned with. But, for the most part they are well mannered as are most of their owners or masters.
I am often mortified when a homeowner says before leaving me alone and in charge of the residence as I work, "please don't let the this or that out!" (this photo from ilovepugs.tumblr.com)
Well, it's happened more than once. When installing tile, we are constantly moving through the home preferably through the closest avenue to the outside where we can set up a wet saw station to cut, craft, mill, and and fit tile. Then, try keep a sharp eye on a crafty cat, bulldozer canine, or multiples of both.
On a job last year I was walking through the front screen door to make some cuts. Just as the door was closed their very large Golden Retriever blew through so fast he almost took me out too. This dog was around the corner and down the street and clean out of sight before I made it to the wet saw just a few feet away.
I immediately got the homeowner and we both started the search. After about 30 minutes the dog rounded the corner as if nothing was amiss and straight to the front door. It seemed he'd done this before but I felt responsible and I really don't think I should. I felt the precocial pooch should always remain in control of the homeowner and not a tradesman who has good reason to enter and exit unhindered.
Regardless, pets are part of a family and I understand that. It is really appreciated when homeowners extend care to be sure observers, friend or foe, are absent or on their best behavior. Which they seem to forget when it comes to their children sometimes.
We were tasked to tear out and install 12x12 ceramic in an upstairs bath. The tile saw was set up out front of the home. This job quickly became a family affair. The husband, wife, 3 kids and the dog were standing in the hallway anxiously watching the work unfold. The tear out went quickly, Hardie Backer went down fast, then we began installing tile. I had run downstairs to place some cuts. Their little boy all of about 6 years old watched intently as I tried to open the front door. The locked front door he had locked.
I used my cell phone, called my associate and informed him of my plight. A booming sound did not unlock the door but another child did. Then, back downstairs to make another tile cut. Again a locked door with a with the same 6 year old staring at me to see my next reaction. I wanted to pull the door off the hinges but we made it through. In this example, the dog was the most accommodating for us.
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