Planet Dog Blog

In Honor of Senior Dogs

Greetings, friends! November is Senior Dog Month- a wonderful time to celebrate and appreciate our grizzled and wise companions.

If you are considering a new dog for your family, there are so many reasons to bypass the puppies and head to the aged aisle. Senior dogs have already been down the teething and housebreaking and shoe chewing path and have reached a state of low maintenance contentment. A couple of short walks, a cozy bed, a nutritious diet and a loving hand- that is all it takes for an older dog to find true bliss.

If you are not able to adopt a senior dog, there are other ways to support them - there are often lots of older dogs in shelters, being overlooked because of some gray hairs on the muzzle, or some old dog lumps . . .  volunteer to walk the elder dogs, donate special treats and toys designed especially for old souls, or fund a veterinary service that might make adopting the dog more affordable for someone else.

A senior friend of mine said it best- "Gracie doesn't mind how old and gray I am, so I cut her the same slack!"

 

Working Like a Dog

Summer is officially here, and that means that Take Your Dog to Work Day is coming up on Friday, June 24. Officially sponsored by Pet Sitters International, this annual event encourages employees to bring their canine pals to the office and share the special bond we enjoy with our pets with our office-mates.

Every day is take Your Dog to Work Day at Planet Dog, and that means every day we practice responsibility with our pups. If you are lucky enough to bring your dog to work, be sure to follow some common sense guidelines so it is enjoyable for everyone.

Not every dog is cut out for the working grind. There are many new sights and sounds in the office that some dogs will handle better than others. Consider your pet's personality when thinking about bringing them to the office, and be sure to have the flexibility to bring them home if things aren't working out.

Not every worker is cut out for dogs. Some people have allergies and aversions to dogs, so be sure that the office community is agreeable to having pets there, and establish locations that will always be dog-free (conference rooms, kitchens, break rooms, etc.).

Keep your dog under control all day. Leash your dog on the way in and out of your space, and use a pet gate or baby gate, or a tether to keep the dog with you all day. A sure way to ruin the day is to have someone's lunch stolen off their desk, or a special surprise left in the hallway. Believe me, we have had both of these things happen, and not everyone thinks that is funny or cute! 

Schedule time to give the dog frequent walks outside, and time to visit with those co-workers who are interested. TYDTWD is a wonderful way to let your coworkers without dogs see what a special bond you have, and what a joy it is to have a pet. Have some resources for local shelters and rescue groups in case your colleagues become interested in adopting a pet. 

Have fun! Study after study shows that dogs in the office increase productivity and lower stress for employees. If your dog has the work ethic to join you, it should be a fun, educational and exciting day for everyone! Please, share your dogs at work stories with us here!

Read more about Take Your Dog to Work Day at http://www.takeyourdog.com/About/.