What it’s like working with a dog in the office

Click here to see an adorable Great Dane

The pandemic has caused so much damage for me financially, as I didn’t have a job for about more than a year. Boy, adulting sure makes one worried constantly about financial troubles, eh?

As I was numbingly applying to various jobs near and far, I finally get contacted by a place just 5 minutes away. It was too good to be true. They told me to finally come for an interview and I put on my best job interview outfit, and even made myself look human with some light makeup. As I come in, a woman greeted me and just casually talked to me and gets right into the interview with us just standing by the main door. I handed her my printed resume (because that’s just the polite thing to do) and as we were wrapping up, a man comes out to say hello. After a few minutes, a sleepy Great Dane also comes out to say hello! She was gentle and her name is May.

The interview was quite quick and casual, and I was afraid it was another rejection. I was doing a small part time job painting houses anyway, and I was glad to meet a Great Dane when I least expected it.

But alas! I got an email that welcomes me to their team. My heart was beating fast and I actually hopped (I won’t jump, that’s just too much you know, I live on the second floor) with happiness!

A month or two on the job I was placed in an office at the back with two other people, and I didn’t see May much. After a while, I was moved to the front desk, where I would be seeing a lot of her (and smelling a lot of her. Boy, she sure can fart sometimes).

So this is May!

There’s a bunch of pros and cons to working with a Great Dane. Yes, there are cons, but they’re not that bad. I have to note, the pros truly outweigh the cons. This story is about what it’s like to work with a dog in the office, and I’d like to cover all kinds of perspective as possible.

Cons

Having a dog in the office means more cleanup than usual.

Her hair isn’t that long, but like other dogs, she sheds.

I have to get used to talking to people while there is barking going on.

Each dog is different; May likes to bark at people coming in and then acting adorable when she’s finally getting pets. At these times though, my bad hearing gets put to the test every time. People coming in would say what their reason for their visit while there’s a deep barking going on; Some would be scared and some would laugh. They all end up finding her adorable nevertheless when she comes out of her owner’s office.

I’m able to see her most of the time, including when she’s sad, anxious and misses her owner

Her owner, my boss, was in Toronto all day one day. Her tail was sometimes tense between her hind legs as she looks out the glass windows. Don’t worry, I give her so much pets to comfort her.

This is the shortest con list I’ve ever made. She is that adorable.

Pros

Well, get ready for some positive wholesome content.

I get to hang with a dog like, half the time!

I say half the time because in the other half she just spends her time sleeping the boss’ office in her comfy bed. Whenever she comes out though, in an adorable sleepy manner, she comes out and walks around. She sometimes comes to me because she knows she’s guaranteed pets; On some days she just literally hangs out beside me, her body as close to me as possible, as she looks out the window looking for something to bark at.

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I never feel alone

Since I moved to the front desk from the office at the back with two other people, I don’t talk much to anyone except for my boss. May keeps me company whether she’s literally beside me or not; Just seeing her gives me a happy feeling. I try to be quiet whenever I open my lunch though, because once she hears I’m about to eat she’ll just watch me consume it the whole time.

I also have constant company. I like working in places such as library where people do their own business, and it’s comparable to working in one when I do my work on my desk while May sleeps by the door also minding her own business.

I know whenever someone is coming

Yes, the barking was on the cons list, but also on the pros list. The boss referred to her as “our doorbell” to some clients, and that couldn’t be more true. I won’t be able to miss whoever comes in since May barks at literally anyone that comes in.

Work isn’t boring that I look forward to it

I like what I do with designing cabinets into various residential rooms; I love making 3D models and making something out of nothing. Sometimes though, I need a little visual break, and hanging out with a dog is a great one! You may think that I’m putting too much importance upon her, but those who know me know that I’m a solid lover of dogs and animals. Like, how can an adorable dog not make you smile? I even made my project’s concept in school to be a dog cafe, and you can see it here.

I see funny pet moments that cheer up my day

One time, she was looking out the window and a fly went in front of her. She ate it.

One time, she barked so hard she farted.

She’s a good conversation starter

No, she doesn’t talk to the clients that come in, though I wish she could. After her initial barking, she acts all cute to the clients, and most people love dogs! My boss tells them about how she’s fun to have around, and how she’s about 7 and a half years old. People often feel alienated upon entering a place but May never fails to put a smile on people’s faces (I can tell even with their masks on) and she provides comfort for whoever comes in when she asks for pets.

This

I don’t know what title to give this section. She just does this thing where she rests her head like its too heavy and she has a lot to think about and it’s the most adorable thing ever.

What do you think? Do you like May? How do pets impact the work space?

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