Who let the dog out?

this week, the boss and his wife were back at the office, after being away on vacation last week. As usual, E. (the wife) brought Holly, their beautiful Sheltie with her to work. Holly was born last Christmas (hence the name), and she is adorable and she knows it. (for those who don't know what a Sheltie looks like - I didn't either before getting to know Holly - it's like the dog from Lassie but smaller.) All day, she hangs out in E.'s office, laying down in different positions all over the floor, and from time to time someone goes by and announces to the people in cubicles what Holly is doing: like "Dead dog" - passed out on the floor; "upside down dog" - belly up in the air, paws against E.'s desk; "Cute dog" - pretty much any position she is in, especially when she sits there with head slightly tilted to the side... awwww. She usually waits until E. is on the phone with a client and then she starts chewing one of her squeaky toys for sound effects. The only active times in her office day are when she arrives and everyone makes a fuss over her (all you can hear is enthusiastic panting from Holly, and a constant "down" "down" command from E, who is trying to train her not to jump on people); when she goes out to pee with M, the boss; and when for some miraculous reason (she is not allowed to jump on the baby gate separating her from the rest of the office) the gate "accidentally" falls and she gets out. On Thursday this happened twice and Holly was in a playful mood. Everybody got involved in hunting her down, property managers running down the halls and accounting clerks chasing her between cubicles. Holly had a BLAST! Once in a while she looked back at us and she had a big grin on her face. Finally, M. caught her at the other end of the office and carried her back, and she was still grinning and panting happily. Yesterday I was heading to the printer when she arrived so I was in the entrance area. Holly likes me, so she headed straight to me. After greeting me with constant tail-wagging, she threw herself down, belly up, for me to rub her belly. E. immediately commented: Holly, really, how dignified of you, demanding to be rubbed, showing your private parts; and then to my surprise, added: just like your mom in her early days! (now for this to be really funny, envision E.: she is a lady, through and through, even on "casual" days you'd never catch her wearing anything scruffy, she is always put together nicely, fashionable yet conservative, lipstick and nails done.) It was a fun start to a busy day.