The Joy (and Challenge) of Being a Working Dog

I love dogs. This may be an understatement.

You know how some people can identify different car models or fashion designers on sight? I do this with dog breeds. I will spot a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen across the street and start jittering with excitement.

That’s how much I love dogs.

I recently listened to the first episode of Amy Poehler’s amazing podcast Good Hang and her interview with good friend and frequent collaborator Tina Fey. Tina mentioned that she has trouble remaining idle and described herself as a working dog.

A working dog like a Border Collie, Old English Sheepdog, Corgi, or, my personal favorite, an Australian Cattle Dog**. These are animals that were bred to work farms, herd sheep and cattle, or protect livestock. They are motivated and downright thrilled to be actively engaged in something productive.

YES!!!

I had never heard anyone so aptly describe me.

My brain is constantly on the go, identifying new ideas and strategies. At any one time, I’ll be working on new presentations, a few pitches, a fine-cut script, social media posts, and notes for something even more elaborate down the road.

I’m always hustling.

I’m always looking for new sheep to herd.

With the downturn in the television industry, it’s been tough for a working dog like me to stay motivated. A sense of futility creeps in. I hear a voice in my head say, "What’s the point?" and I get a little queasy. I feel a bit like a Border Collie on a very short leash with no place to go.

I stop and remind myself that I’m not on a leash.

Sure, there are metaphorical ones, like a mortgage and credit card bills. But my drive is to keep being productive, not just creating television documentaries.

Where are the new pastures I can explore?

Where can I bring my talents that allows me to keep going, keep creating, keep hustling?

I’ve been doing a lot more lectures on cruise ships this year, both for income and inspiration.

Am I producing? Not literally.

But am I generating new ideas and finding the motivation to keep on keeping on?

Absolutely.

These journeys remind me that curiosity is such a powerful force in our world. It motivates me to be a useful guide for these travelers and help them get the most out of their explorations.

So, from one working dog to another, keep on keeping on!

Some of us were born to work and have our brains in overdrive.

Let’s explore new parks and not let the leashes hold us back.

**Yes, I do realize that I mentioned dogs from the Herding Group and not the actual Working Group. Why? Herding is a specific job and filled with dogs known for being overactive. Antolian Shepherds and Mastiffs are classified as “Working Dogs” but no one is every going to accuse these galoots as being hyper.**

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Shannon Malone-deBenedictis is a two-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker with over 25 years of experience leading global productions that illuminate the natural world, human resilience, and cultural complexity. Her storytelling spans from the Arctic ice to African coastlines, crafting immersive narratives for Disney+, Netflix, National Geographic, and WB-Discovery. Shannon’s credits include Saving Yellowstone with Dennis Quaid, Brown and Bonded, Secrets of the Whales (Disney+), executive produced by James Cameron and narrated by Sigourney Weaver, and Penguin Town (Netflix), both of which earned Emmy Awards for excellence in documentary and nature storytelling. Known for translating scientific and environmental topics into emotionally resonant, visually stunning films, Shannon has collaborated with experts across the globe: from shark and whale biologists in South Africa and New Zealand to researchers working to preserve the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Her work consistently blends curiosity, creativity, and deep research to captivate global audiences. As founder of Padlin Creative, she continues to push the boundaries of impact-driven filmmaking, bringing underrepresented stories to the forefront and mentoring the next generation of visual storytellers.

Learn more at www.padlincreative.com.