Blind Bellsie takes runner-up office dog
Bellsie can’t see where she’s going or what she looks like but judges saw something in Bellsie which placed her runnerup in New Zealand’s Top Office Dog competition earlier this month.
Sarah Benge entered her nineyear-old, rough red griffon into the Instragram competition, supplying some cute photos of Bellsie and a spiel about her office dog duties.
What makes Bellsie special is not only her workplace ethics at Benge & Co’s head office, her zest for life and her delightful nature; Bellsie is completely blind.
Bellsie lost her sight and one eye, two years ago and is still a happy, active little canine.
Benge said she wanted to enter her little ‘‘side-kick’’ into the competition because Bellsie is a ‘‘full on office dog’’ so why not.
‘‘It’s not a hugely competitive thing because everyone’s dog is so gorgeous. It was just a fun thing to do and she is the epitome of an office dog.’’
Benge thinks having a dog in the workplace makes people more relaxed.
‘‘You just look at them and can’t help but feel good. It’s awesome.’’
This is the second year the competition, organised by Frog Recruitment in Auckland has run, receiving more than 60 entrants this year.
Frog Recruitment founder and competition organiser Jane Kennelly said she wanted to hold a competition for top office dog after reading the research on the benefits of having animals in the workplace.
‘‘It’s well documented that dogs in the workplace are good for wellbeing and motivation.’’
The competition was a way to celebrate owners’ furry best friends that go into work and ‘‘make it a better place to be’’.
Bellsie goes everywhere with Benge, including road trips, flights around New Zealand and ferry rides to Wellington.
Before she lost her sight she would even join Benge on a paddle board or long runs.
She’s not just ‘‘a pampered little couch dog’’, Benge said.
Coming runnerup in the competition gave Benge a ‘‘lovely warm fuzzy’’ but she believes all dogs are cute.
‘‘Every dog we meet at the beach melts my heart.’’
Alfie, a jack russell from Tauranga took out top prize.