My banker, lawyer, and doctor friends may not be taking their dogs to the office anytime soon, but for many of us who work in creative industries, every day is “Bring Your Dog to Work Day.” I work at a marketing agency that has allowed employees to bring their dogs to work for years – a popular perk and excellent recruitment tool. There aren’t many formal rules in place; they just trust us to use common sense by leaving barkers or aggressive dogs at home and trusting us to be polite adults who get our dogs vaccinated and clean up after them.

Their closet contains an array of holiday sweaters, Halloween costumes, rain gear, and an assortment of outwear, including tiny jean jackets, bomber jackets, and (faux) fur coats – not to mention boots, socks, bow ties, and hats.

There are certain milestones every dog owner expects and celebrates as their puppy grows into a dog – learning to walk on a leash, understanding basic commands and housebreaking, for instance. Many puppies accomplish this behavioral trifecta at just a few months old. But what about older dogs who weren’t trained in puppyhood? While there are few experiences as rewarding as rescuing a dog, adopters need to be patient and invest time teaching their new pet to simply be a dog. I’m no dog behavioralist, but I have rescued my fair share of pets from puppy mills, hoarding situations, and neglect. From my experience, here’s what adopters should expect.

There is no way to sugarcoat it – losing a beloved pet is an immensely painful experience. It can take weeks, months, or even years for the pain to diminish, as any devoted pet owner understands. As the adage goes, our pets give us some of the best moments of our lives and one of the very worst – yet despite this inevitable sorrow, many of us pet lovers choose to embark on the pet parenthood journey again and again, welcoming a new pet into our lives to help fill the void left by those who have passed. It is a testament to the strength of the bond we share with our faithful companions.  

Some say that losing a pet can be as difficult as losing a (human) family member. Our pets are with us every day, through thick and thin. They depend on us and they love us unconditionally. All that, and it’s often up to us to make the gut-wrenching decision when our beloved pets have had enough.

Recent visitors to my home likely wondered if I was expecting a flood. Throughout my master bedroom suite, I had rolled-up bath towels and foam pool noodles strategically placed around the perimeter of my bed, dresser, and nightstands. As someone with a keen interest in interior design, this isn’t a look I would have chosen – until my love for my tiny blind dog trumped my love for a clean design aesthetic.

Greetings, fellow pet enthusiasts! Welcome to “Barks and Banter,” a new blog dedicated to celebrating the joys, challenges, and heartwarming moments of pet ownership.