14
WBM february 2011
Name Misha
Workplace Alpha Mortgage
Job Title Apprentice
Owner Michael Lopez
In an industry as fast-paced,
intense and demanding as
mortgage banking, it’s nice
to have a little levity and fun
around the office to break things
up. That’s how Michael Lopez feels
about the important role his Boston
Terriers, Kaytee (not pictured) and
Misha, play at the Alpha Mortgage
office.
Kaytee, age 13, has been coming
to the office with Lopez since she
was about nine months old. Kaytee’s
apprentice, Misha, age 6, joined the
company when she was just a baby
and is learning the ropes from a pro.
“Kaytee and Misha are here for
morale,” Lopez says. “They go from
employee to employee, visiting,
checking their cookie counts, sit-ting
on laps, stealing toys from their
desks and sometimes staying for a
nap before moving on.” Kaytee also
has the task of screening potential
customers. “She growls if their credit
is bad,” Lopez says. “Really. She’s 10
for 11 — only been wrong once.”
While both dogs sometimes use
a team approach to their diplomatic
practice, Misha spends the most time
at the office nowadays, with Kaytee
making calls on occasional after-noons.
The current division of duties
calls for Kaytee to head up napping
and general good-feeling disburse-ment,
while Misha is in charge of
office hijinks and eliciting smiles
and laughter. “They’ve always been
naturals at the office,” Lopez says.
“They’re good-natured, easy to train,
obedient and loveable.”