Being given a position of huge responsibility isn’t for everyone. Those always sound ideal until you’ve actually got to start the job. Then you realize it may not be for you.

Gavel the German Shepherd, like some of us, was given a position of huge responsibility and wasn’t quite ready for it.

He was given basic training to prepare him for the task, and the future seemed certain.

Gavel was to be an accomplished member of the elite Queensland Police Service Dog Squad.

Everyone seemed certain of Gavel’s future.

He’d take up his duties and perform them with determination. That’s what they were training him for, after all.

Though they soon learned that this may not be the path for Gavel. The loving German Shepherd was easily distracted, and would rather play and eat treats instead of patiently staying on guard.

And those treats ended up known as “non-approved” treats, which should give a fair enough idea of things. This went on for a year until people started reconsidering Gavel’s career path.

As the governor of Queensland put it, “Within a year, it was clear that Gavel “did not display the necessary aptitude for a life on the front line”.

But this didn’t mean Gavel would just be abandoned and left without career opportunities. The staff at the government house grew incredibly fond of the German Shepherd and his loving personality.

This was how Gavel earned his new role: Queensland’s Vice-Regal dog.

A role that never existed before. Gavel is the first to bear the title, and it’s a pretty big deal.

Gavel carries this role with the utmost joy, and that joy is contagious. The face of this adorable German Shepherd is worth smiling at, which is exactly how tens of thousands of people felt.

Over on Facebook, the governor of Queensland describes Gavel’s new role as follows. “Gavel Vice-Regal Dog has executed his duties with aplomb – greeting guests, attending ceremonies and being vice-regally cute.”

Now, Gavel won’t have to worry about playing and snacking on the job- because that’s part of his job now.

Not all of it, mind you. Part of it.

Still, I can’t help but be a little jealous.

Queensland’s Vice-Regal Dog is still a serious job, though. If it weren’t, then why did Gavel have to sign – I mean paw – his own contract? Look right at it!

Gavel spends most of his days attending important ceremonies, providing company to the governor, wearing the country’s flag when guests are there and serving as a tour guide. Like I said, still an important job.

The most significant lesson that Gavel’s story teaches us is what to make of failure.

Failing at something doesn’t mean the end. Most of the time, it’s just a starting point to learn what you should actually be doing.

Watch how Gavel became Queensland’s Vice-Regal dog in the video below.

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Source: Governor of Queensland on Facebook, BBC