Frankie's Story, by Joe Seide

When Frankie’s mother was killed by a car, the San Francisco SPCA stepped in to care for her nine orphaned puppies. Covid had just started to shut things down, and one day I decided to visit the local animal shelter to check out available dogs. As soon as I spotted Frankie, I knew she was the one. Sweet and trusting despite her circumstances, I brought her home to meet my three very large resident cats (20 lbs. each), and we’ve been a family ever since.

Never-Ending Energy

Although she was adorable, I had no idea when I adopted an 8.5-week-old puppy what I was signing up for. A bundle of energy since the day I got her, she’s now 3-years-old and I still need to give her several hours of physical exercise and social interactions every day. She loves to be outside, she loves to run, and she loves to play with other dogs. She also loves to race through fields and hop like a bucking bronco, which makes me laugh every time. Does she wear me out? Sometimes she does, but her joyful spirit uplifts everyone around her, including me.

Greeter-in-Chief

During the week, Frankie goes to Happy Tails Dog Daycare in Belmont, where she can run and play with the other dogs. But on weekends, she goes to work at my business ─ The Sandwich Spot on the corner of Howard and Laurel in San Carlos. Her favorite hangout is in the doorway, where she can usually be found napping in the sun beside her favorite toy. But don’t let appearances fool you. She isn’t sleeping on the job. On the contrary, she takes her job very seriously, patiently getting up to greet customers as they come in the door, accepting a pat on the head when it’s offered, and helping her owner (me), who has welcomed the community to this very special deli for over 16 years.

Living The Good Life

Several families come to The Sandwich Spot on the weekend, not to eat but just to say hello to Frankie. She loves everybody and everyone loves her, particularly kids. I always warn my customers who come in with a stroller to be prepared, though, because Frankie will typically walk right over, carefully nudge the baby, then bury her nose in the blanket looking for snacks.

She also manages to find joy in the simplest things ─ like chasing squirrels, or grabbing sticks, or chewing up pine cones. We live near a pickle ball court and as it turns out, Frankie has a very good nose for tennis balls. We can be walking one minute and the next she is diving into a bush, burying her face, and coming out with a ball. I’m not sure how she knows they’re there, but we have about 15 tennis balls in my house (no rackets, just balls) and there are probably more on the way.

Frankie is a truly wonderful dog and I feel so blessed to have her. She brightens my day and it would be hard to imagine my life without her.