On the Job with Pepper + Tilly
Morning Shift
The day starts early—or at least, it starts when they decide it does. Before anything official begins, there’s the matter of getting ready—a quick stretch, a look around, and then the important decision: today’s bandana.
Pepper leans rustic, Tilly keeps it classic, and either way, it’s part of the uniform.
At the office, Tilly takes a more administrative approach. She checks emails, reviews calendars (by staring at you until you acknowledge her), and makes sure nothing urgent goes unanswered. She’s thorough. Nothing slips through unnoticed.
Pepper prefers field work. He does a full walkthrough of the office, nose-first. Every corner gets inspected. Every bag, every desk, every unattended snack is logged and, if necessary, investigated further. Quality control, in its purest form.
There’s also been some concern that Pepper has been browsing the website during work hours. Specifically the flannel dog bandana section. We’re looking into it.
Midday Responsibilities
By late morning, they’ve settled into their core role: morale.
They keep a close eye on the team. If someone’s been sitting too long, Pepper arrives with a toy and a look that says, this meeting is over. If the mood dips, Tilly steps in—quiet, steady, and usually right at your feet until things feel a little more manageable.
Lunch is loosely structured. Pepper has taken to stepping out with his friend Luna. It’s unclear who scheduled it, but it happens daily and seems important. They walk, they sniff, they exchange neighborhood updates.
Tilly stays behind to guard the fridge.
No one asked her to do this. But no one questions it either.
Afternoon Reset
After lunch, things slow down.
Pepper finds a soft spot—a folded mini blanket, a corner of flannel, something that holds warmth—and settles in. Tilly prefers full immersion. She wraps herself up completely, earning the name “Tilly Burrito,” which she answers to selectively.
There’s a quiet stretch here. Work continues, but softer. Slower. More focused.
They’ve made this part of the day better just by insisting it exists.
On the Floor (Retail Duty)
By late afternoon, they head over to the Shelburne store.
This is where they really come into their own.
Customers walk in for flannel. They leave having met Pepper and Tilly—and that tends to be what they remember. There’s a certain kind of welcome that can’t be taught. It’s instinctive.
They move through the space like they belong there. Checking in. Making rounds. Accepting compliments like professionals.
They’ve also been known to select their own flannel for “photo purposes.” We don’t interfere.
End of Day
The workday winds down the same way it started—on their terms.
There’s usually a walk. A loop through town. A few stops. A few photos. Pepper leading, Tilly close behind, both very aware of their surroundings and their audience.
They head home tired—but in a way that still leaves room for one more lap around the house, one more toy, and a final check to make sure nothing important (like dinner) has been forgotten.
What They’ve Taught Us
We’ve learned a few things from having Pepper and Tilly around.
Most meetings could be shorter. Most breaks could be longer. And if there’s a perfectly good flannel blanket nearby, there’s no real reason not to use it.
They’ve also made it clear that showing up matters. Not in a big, dramatic way—just consistently. A quick check-in. A little attention. Sitting next to someone when they need it.
And if all else fails, reach for flannel. It works more often than you’d think.