Insect Inspired Dog Names

Boston brought in the new year of 2018 by making a necessary, canine hire. In January, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts welcomed its most adorable employee ever. Riley is a Weimaraner puppy. Since artistic masterpieces can be damaged by insects, Riley is being trained to use his sniffer for a good cause. He’s not sniffing drugs like the normal police dog; he’s searching for the bugs that are out to nibble on priceless fine art!

He’s quite cute with those floppy ears, velvety fur, and soft eyes filled with light. Katie Getchell, Chief Brand Officer & Deputy Director, let the media know that Riley is an essential part of keeping the museum going. Insects are a growing problem regarding art, and Riley can do something that his human pals cannot. His sense of smell can target the pesky bugs that don’t know they shouldn't eat the beautiful works we treasure so much.

If you’re a Weimaraner fan, you’re already aware of their abilities in the sniffing department. They’re extremely intellectual to boot. You might be picturing this cutie pie living at the museum, but Riley actually resides with Nicki Luongo, the MFA’s Director of Protective Services. Riley leads a fairly normal puppy life; he just has this side gig that makes us all marvel at his strengths. He is man’s, woman’s, and specifically artists’ best friend!

It might also disappoint dog lovers that Riley won’t be frequenting the halls of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. He’s more of a behind-the-scenes kind of doggo. Yes, it’s sad! We know! Of course, if you’re a dog lover, you won’t be satisfied until our furry friends are everywhere we are. At Wag! we totally understand that mindset. We’re absolutely crazy about these fluffy family members who help us in so many ways. Riley does continue to enjoy attention from the museum’s fans and donors.

While Riley would probably love hunting for bugs anyway, he gets to complete this serious task regularly, receiving treats and a lot of love for his solid work. Good boy, Riley! He actually competed for the job, beating out other applicants for the important MFA gig. As far as we know, this is the first program of its kind. So hooray for Boston for turning to puppies to help you in the workplace. We’re sure it will catch on fast because who doesn’t love bring-your-dog-to-work days?

Riley’s job training will take a full year, but he’s off to a great start. Follow MFABoston on Instagram and Facebook. They post about Riley often! You won’t regret seeing this beautiful dog in your newsfeed.