Take your dog to work day
By Cindy WolffJune 12th, 2008
So, do you agree or disagree about my pet column today? I'm curious. I really want to know what the benefit would be to my dog to disturb his routine and make him come sit under my desk or behave around all these strangers and other dogs if my office was open to this.
What are your thoughts? Here are my dogs in their normal positions. Asleep. Either on the bed or if the spirit moves them, they will lumber to the sofa or maybe go out the dog door and sit in my glider for a bit, just for a change of scenery. They've been on a 4-mile walk this morning, like every morning, and now it's nap time. Even on Saturdays and Sundays when I'm home, their routine is the same. They may follow me outside, but they will be napping most of the day.
They are happy in their creature comforts. They like their routine. What about your pets? Would they thrive in one day at your office? Would you get any work done? I wouldn't. For me, it would be like putting a 5-year-old in a toy store and telling them to focus on their book. I would spend the whole day petting, getting kisses and listening to pet stories. I would. I wouldn't be able to pay myself. So while the newspaper pays me to write about animals, I don't think they would put playing with animals in my job description.
June 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I know it's off topic, but they sure are cute! And those pics make me smile. I love to see happy, spoiled fur babies...
June 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I think you're right...taking your dog(s) to work for one day would be disruptive to pets, owners and co-workers.
But I don't think taking your dog on a regular basis would be a problem. Everyone would get used to the routine and it would be no big deal after a while. And I think the dogs would benefit from being around their moms and dads all day instead of left alone at home.
That said, out of my 4 dogs, only 1 would be a good candidate for hanging out with me at work. She would happily greet everyone in the morning and then flop under my desk and keep my feet warm for the rest of the day. Due to personality quirks, the other 3 would be too much trouble.
June 15th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Our dog, though she is the best dog in the whole world, would spend her time marking her territory if you know what I mean. I never liked take your daughter or child to work day. The parent spent most of the day showing their precious child off to everyone who passed down the hallway or near their desk.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I could see certain dogs who would do well in that situation - I have horsey friends who go everywhere with their dogs - but it seems thoughtless to those allergic to dogs. I'm one of those people. I couldn't be in a small office with a dog all day.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I wish my company would allow take your dog to work day. I think it would be a blast. No, I probably wouldn't get much work done, but it's just for one day. I think my dog would love it, he loves people.