Bringing Your Dog to Work: It’s Apparently Awesome

How did I not hear about this sooner? It seems that someone did a study on the health effects of bringing your dog to work. They studied different people in a dog-friendly workplace, including those who didn’t have dogs, those who had dogs but didn’t bring them in, and those who brought their dogs to work. They found the following:

  • All three groups started the day at a similar stress level, on average.
  • People with no dog had their stress level climb gradually though the day
  • People who had a dog but didn’t bring it in performed identically.
  • People who brought in their dog had their stress level decrease through the course of the day.

So there you have it: dogs are the magic de-stresser. (I suspect cats would work just as well (maybe even better! ack, heresy!), but there are fewer cat-friendly workplaces, because, well… mixing cats and dogs at a workplace? Could be bad.

Come on, companies, get with the program!

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Dog of the Day: Duchess the Whippet

No, you’re not imagining things, this is our second Duchess in three days. You definitely won’t be mistaking one for the other, though.

Tan-and-White Whippet

Those eyes. I am always put in mind of deer.

Tan and White Whippet

So aerodynamic.

Tan-and-White Whippet

The crumply ears. You just want to uncrumple them, just to see what happens.

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Caturday Supplement: Meowing in the Rain

On my way to work, I ran into a woman giving her cat an airing. It was raining, but she was carefully staying under the building’s overhang, so the cat didn’t seem more than a little bit dubious. I think there was some training going on, but of whom I’m not sure. There were definitely treats involved.

So I introduced myself. This is Crumpet, the 10-month-old rescue kitty. She was found in a trash can at about 6 weeks of age, and turned over to the SPCA, who found her a loving home. She’s still getting used to the idea of other people, but she’s getting there.

Silver Mackerel Tabby Kitten With White Paws

I think mom was starting the process of leash-training Crumpet. We shall see how that goes.

Silver Mackerel Tabby Kitten With White Paws

She didn’t seem TOO stressed out, anyway. Certainly not too stressed to eat!

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Double Dog Day: Alex the Husky Puppy and Duchess the Jack Russell Terrier/Poodle Mix

Duchess is one of Autumn’s Pup Scouts dog walking customers, and since Autumn was out of commission today (possible flu, definitely something nasty) she asked me to walk her. So I took her up to Huntingdon Park, where she happily gamboled around, tried to leap into the fountain, and played with all the other dogs.

Alex was there too, and he is utterly adorable. He was playing with Duchess. They seemed to be having a blast, but I tried to keep her back a little bit (and kept her leash on her), since this is the first time I’ve ever walked Duchess and I wanted to be kind of conservative. Still, they were clearly enjoying themselves.

And then Duchess leapt over Alex, and sat on him for a second or two, and then he wrestled her around and pinned her down (not aggressively, just play-fighting) and then she got up and took a few steps away, and I noticed that she had somehow gotten the leash off. (Uh oh!)

Well, she wasn’t running away, so I wasn’t too worried, but I went to pull the leash up so I could put it back on her, and I discovered the true extent of her talents. The leash wasn’t attached to Duchess’s gentle leader any more… it was attached to Alex’s collar. By the same D-ring that his own leash was attached. So now Alex had two leashes on him, and Duchess had none.

I would not have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. I promise you that, in the amount of time this happened, I could not have done this with my own hands. This dog bears further watching; she may end up being the next Harry Houdini.

5-Month Old Silver Husky Puppy

Some huskies start out goofy and only get goofier as they get older. I bet he’s one.

Silver Husky Puppy with Heterochromia and Black Jack Russell/Poodle Mix

They really did seem to like each other a lot. I hope she runs into him again sometime.

Black Jack Russell Terrier/Poodle Mix

A little blurry. I will have to shoot some more pictures of her sometime, and fully capture her cuteness.

Silver Husky Puppy with Heterochromia

Husky-tongue. You can ALMOST see his different-colored eyes in this one.

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Dog of the Day: Hendrix the Huge Labrador Retriever

So I saw Hendrix coming and I said, “Wow! Okay, I bet he’s half Lab, right? Let’s see… what’s the other half… hmmm…” And his mom said that he was indeed half Lab, and that the other half was also Lab. But he’s 105 pounds and none of it is fat. He’s huuuuge!

Very Large Chocolate Labrador Retriever With Greying Muzzle

He’s eight years old, and greying some around the muzzle. Seems to be doing quite well so far.

Very Large Chocolate Labrador Retriever With Greying Muzzle

Smiley McLabface!

Very Large Chocolate Labrador Retriever With Greying Muzzle

I’m lucky: my photographic subjects are often even cuter when they blink.

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Dog of the Day: The Backpack Zoey!

We’ve seen this puplet before: it’s Zoey, the Pomeranian/Chihuahua/dachsund mix. She’s all grown up now, but she still fits handily in mom’s pack.

Tan Chihuahua/Dachshund/Pomeranian Mix With Fluffy Down Ears and a Black Muzzle

She bears a distinct resemblance to the fennec from the 1st, doesn’t she?

Tan Chihuahua/Dachshund/Pomeranian Mix With Fluffy Down Ears and a Black Muzzle

Fully convertible super-fuzzy ears!

 

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Dog of the Day: Oh my God is that a Westie?!?

Oh man. I, uh, don’t want to suggest that this was actually abusive, because the woman walking this dog seemed to treat her quite well, and the dog obviously loved her, but… who would shave a Westie?

Shaved West Highland White Terrier

Those ears.

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Dog of the Day: Unknown Mix

Not really sure what breed mix this guy was. And I only saw him through a fence, unfortunately. But he was awfully cute. Maybe someone else can help me out here?

Unknown Dog With Really Huge Ears

Look at those ears. I’d say he was some kind of German shepherd mix but he was so tiny. Not much bigger than a Chihuahua.

 

Unknown Dog With Big Ears and Lots of Teeth

I guess he could be a puppy? Didn’t act much like one though.

 

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Dog of the Day: Watson, All Dressed Up For Easter!

I’m dogsitting Watson, and I decided to be a little cruel and get some pictures of him dressed up for Easter. Sadly, it’s kind of tough to both keep the clothes (mostly the hat) on him and take the pictures. Plus I forgot to bring my SLR. Next time I’m going to do a photo shoot while his mom and dad are around, and plan for it beforehand.

Plus, that way I can get some pictures of his new circus tricks, and of him pulling a tiny cart. (How awesome is that?)

Long-Haired Chihuahua/Long-Haired Dachshund Mix

Alas, you can’t really see the bow tie. It really makes the outfit.

Long-Haired Chihuahua/Long-Haired Dachshund Mix in Jacket, Bow-Tie, and Bowler Hat

That hat is murder to get to stay on.

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Caturday Supplement: Hummingbird Days

I don’t think the hummingbirds ever entirely leave San Francisco, but when you start seeing them out and about, you know that spring isn’t far away.

Hummingbird

I think even my experienced birder readership will have a tough time with this one. Silhouettes are pretty tough.

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