Belinda Says Hay: “Facebook”

Hello. It’s Belinda.

This week has been one of the best so far. The new “Belinda’s Blend” flower and herb mix is selling like crazy.

Sometimes I catch myself staring into space. Like I’m in a dream. Never thought they’d name a product after me, even though I have a big day coming up next Sunday.

That’s because September 2 is my one-year anniversary as spokesrabbit.  I sent my first blog out on Labor Day weekend. “America’s first working rabbit.”

How did I get the job? One day, out of nowhere, my roommate told me I had been hired by Small Pet Select. She knew my agent and I guess they got to talking. One thing led to another.

I was already a big fan of the hay and herbal mixes so I assumed it meant taste-testing. She said the hours were flexible and I could work from home.

I had no idea what I was getting into. My agent says the company had no idea either. Meaning what “they” were in for.  She thinks it’s funny but I just ignore her.

Because the truth is, I try to behave myself at work. Follow the rules. Even though I’ve put my foot down a few times, I don’t get everything I want.

For example, my own email address. To send messages to customers and vice-versa.

When my friends want to tell me something, they have to email the customer service team. And the team turns around and sends it to me.

That’s fine but not very efficient. I want to write back, but I don’t want to bother Jessica, Grace, Brooke, Carrie and Shelia in customer service. They have plenty of work to do answering questions, putting together the Top 15 Cuties and all the rest.

But every time I ask for my own email account that’s what my agent says. That I need to focus on my work instead of emailing people all day. Tells me I have enough to “keep me hopping.”

“Besides, you can write to your friends on Facebook.”

She’s right about that but I have a confession to make. And it’s embarrassing.

Once I’m on Facebook I lose track of time.  It’s like Daylight Savings Time but worse because it’s my own doing.

I start by checking the Small Pet Select page for messages to me. I try to write back to everyone within a few minutes and that’s where I get into trouble. Because of the time zones.

And once I’m there I have to see what Dusty Bunneh is up to. Then I check out Lennon the Bunny, Alice's Adventures In Bunderland, Wally and Molly and Ludwik Guinea Pig. Just in case something’s happening. You never know.

I’m supposed to quit work around 5 p.m. but I sneak some Facebook time “after hours.”

Well this past week with the launch of Belinda’s Blend I was a wreck. Worrying about sales.

I wanted to post about it every day on Facebook but I didn’t want to be pushy. So I kept checking in to see if anyone posted a review. I figured it was part of my job, keeping on top of things. Shows initiative.

Unfortunately, I have no privacy in this house. The other day my roommate was on the bottom floor fiddling with the laundry and she noticed me working under the steps.

“Belinda, are you refreshing the same page over and over?”

I ignored her. She didn’t say anything else but I could feel her watching me. Made it hard to work.

The next evening, she butted in again. We were in the living room watching “Vega$” reruns and I couldn’t focus.

Usually when Dan Tanna is on the screen chasing crooks I don’t think about anything else. But I kept looking at the clock on the VCR. Thinking about west coast customers getting off work and checking social media.  

So right in the middle of a casino bust I walked out of the room. I was all the way through the kitchen when my roommate started up.

“Belinda!”

I pretended I didn’t hear.

“I hope you’re not checking Facebook!”

By this point I was halfway down the steps. She didn’t follow me. I could hear the TV through the ceiling.

Well, it’s a good thing I checked Facebook because someone in California posted a comment.

But the next thing I knew it was hours later and my roommate was coming down with our bedtime healthy snackers.

I tried to hide my laptop but she saw the blue glow. She didn’t say anything but I could tell she wanted to.

My roommate doesn’t have to worry about me. I can stop thinking about Facebook.

But I can’t stop thinking about Belinda’s Blend.

Sincerely,

Belinda,

Spokesrabbit, Small Pet Select