Salesman

Short story taken from ‘Selling; The No-Nonsense Guide’ written by director of PDL James Farrell……

This is a story about a few American guys who used to come to Ireland for a hunting holiday every year. They would stay at a small hunting lodge in Wicklow, about 50 miles from Dublin.

The lodge was run by Seamus and his wife and as part of the deal he would supply his guests with guns and a hunting dog for the duration of the holiday. On the first day they were allocated a dog, a Springer Spaniel called Salesman. He was bred for the job, and as a hunting dog he couldn’t be beaten.

The Americans took off into the wilds of Wicklow with Salesman in toe. ‘What a great dog’ they reported when they returned. The week over, the guests departed. For the next three years the holiday troop returned at the same time each year.

They had few requirements and less demands, other than they be given Salesman as their dog. Seamus was only happy to comply and the arrangement worked to everyone’s satisfaction. The dog seemed to be most satisfied as he grew and learned.

Then one year the hunters arrived all buoyed up and excited, ready to begin another great holiday. Same rooms, same guns and where is faithful Salesman? With that Seamus, with a shake of his head, said ‘I don’t think you’ll want Salesman’. Shocked, the Americans enquired further.

Seamus explained, ‘Last year after you left, an English bloke came and took Salesman out hunting. He started to call the dog Sales Manager, and ever since that day, all the dog will do is sit on his behind and bark!’

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