Dogs of Capitol Hill--do you bring your dog to work?

[Ginny Nightingale]

Here is a link to a cute story about how many senators, etc, bring their dogs to work and the effects of having the dogs there--although there are no doodles in this story, I thought it might be interesting to all and especially those who bring their dogs to work. Anyone want to comment on what they have experienced bringing their dogs to their job? My dogs ARE my job! Since retiring, I raise pups and groom labradoodles, so the two (job and dogs) are now inseparable--and i wouldn't have it any other way!

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/power-players-abc-news/congress-going-d...

[Ginny Nightingale]

Great stories!! Thanks for sharing!! We had roofers here a few years ago and it took them a while to get used to my "guard doods" too. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I work for a big university. I used to take Monty with me to work ever since he was a puppy. I had an office by myself, just put a baby gate between the door so that he does not wander the hallway. People in the other offices and passing by students loved it. It was also good for Monty's therapy dog training to get accustomed to lots of people on campus.  Last month my office got moved to the building where my boss is, due to some restructuring of the unit. A few weeks back my boss told me to find different arrangement for Monty since she previously told some people in the building that they can't bring their dogs to work. I was stunned and so mad at the same time. Since this is a busier building than where my previous office was, I have to be sitting behind the closed door anyways in order to focus on my job (computer programming). I do not interact with anyone in the building and Monty is not making any sounds or running around. Nobody even knows we are there since my door is closed all the time. It's just that the boss does not want animals in the building. What she said was: "I know he's in a training for therapy, so he can stay until his exams. But after that, you need to find different arrangement for him." What the heck! My hope was to volunteer at the local hospital right there once Monty passes his evaluation. My commute to work takes an hour (if there are no accidents or snow). I'm NOT going to leave my dog home for 9-10 hours, drive home, pick him up and drive back to the hospital. And I cannot put him in a daycare since he needs to be clean when visiting a hospital. I'm still very mad and not sure if I should fight this or not. The point is, that people have dogs in their offices in any other building on campus. It's just my boss that decided there won't be any dogs in "her" building. I have a meeting with her every two weeks, so any ideas about how to proceed are greatly appreciated. I was allowed to work two days from home, which helps. I'm hoping to get a third day from home in the near future. I know this might be all a moot point soon since we are getting a second dog. But in any case, if I was in my old building, I would have no problems bringing even two dogs with me. Sorry for my outburst, I just think there is something wrong with the picture...

[Margaret & Pebbles]

I am a nurse and use to work at an assisted living.  Although I was not allowed to bring my dog to work, had a cocker then, a lady would drop off her two dogs in the morning, they were therapy dogs, before she went to work in the morning, then pick them up later in the day.  One was a golden retriever named Murphy, she was beautiful and smart.  Murphy would make rounds with me every morning to residents' rooms where I needed to pass meds.  If I knew the resident wasn't a "dog person", Murphy would wait in the hall.  Otherwise she would come in with me and would let the resident pet her, and they would look forward to seeing the dog every morning.  Maggie was the other dog, she was a beautiful mixed breed, much larger than Murphy.  Maggie would usually stay in the large living room and lay by the peoples feet.  In the afternoon when I would be doing paperwork, my office was on the second floor, and the elevator door would open, Maggie and Murphy would be alone on the elevator, and both would stay in my office.  I was told they would sit by the elevator, and someone would push the second floor button so they could come and stay with me.  That was so hard for me when I quit working there, was not seeing them anymore.

[Ginny Nightingale]

That sounds great! Wish it could have gone on forever for you!! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear this. I hate dog exclusion for no good reason. Can your boss even make such a rule on her own. But if you take it over her head it may get uncomfortable or all dogs in any building may be banned.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I bring Daisy to work. She is a joy to all but especially me. Can't imagine my day without her. Tomorrow she has a grooming appointment and will be gone half the day, I really really miss her on that day.