Are You Taking Your Dog To Work Today?

Today is the 20th Anniversary of Take Your Dog To Work Day®, an annual date to highlight the very special human-canine bond and also to promote pet adoptions! So, are you taking your furry best friend to the office today? Here, at FiveSibes, every day I take my dogs to work! 

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As an author and freelance photojournalist, I have worked in an office for the most part of my career, and only recently have been totally home-based due to disabilities stemming from my Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and most recently Osteoarthritis diagnosis. Living with autoimmune diseases is a different battle every day - one that is not seen by most because it is, for the most part, an invisible enemy. Until the joints bend and twist with advancement of the RA, severe chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and limited range of motion pretty much takes over the body. As a full-time photojournalist and educational PR specialist who was always on the move and on the road to cover many stories and many locations, this was a jarring stop to my career. While I am now home-based, the nice part about being a writer is that I can do it from any place at any time. If I need to rest, I can. If I have to put writing and blogging on hold, I can. And believe me, there are days, sometimes weeks that I have to do just that. I have finally gotten to the place where when those periods of sheer exhaustion come when opening the laptop is too much, or the pain controls my muscles and joints, I can finally let myself off the hook and say, "It's okay if you don't write today." 

Did you get your TYDTWDay certificate? We did!
To get one, visit their website HERE!

Being a professional writer and photographer is a part of my being, my very fiber. I love bringing stories to life via the written word or by a series of photographs. I always have said I see life in a series of photos. I see a photo in every day life. I truly love what I do and have been fortunate to have made a career of it. Now that I am "retired" from the field, I can freelance from home when I am not overwhelmed by my autoimmune issues. There is a Spoon Theory that helps people with illnesses, maybe you've heard of it? Basically, we are given a number of spoons for the day, say 10. When you have debilitating AI issues, and there are a whole list of them, sometimes just showering can steal one spoon from your supply. Getting dressed can take another two. Already, your balance for the day is down to seven and morning is not even over yet. When one has exhausted their spoon supply, they are pretty wiped out, and even though the spoon supply is "replenished" the next day, it can take anywhere from a day to several days or even weeks to recuperate. 

My models: 

Flash me those pearly Sibe smiles!

For me, home is not only where my heart is (because that is where my family lives), it is also where I work from. I love being surrounded by my family. Days of noisy laughter with my grandson and daughter are such cherished moments, as are the days with my FiveSibes. Waking up to find my grandson giggling as he "drops" some of his breakfast to the eagerly waiting Huskies surrounding his high chair immediately starts my day with a smile! We are all rolled up into one big, happy, furry (shedding) family! As I write this, my Huskies are all snoozing around me. Amidst snores, farts, and dreaming, I smile as these moments when they are all happy, safe, and sound, bring me such peaceful joy. (Okay, maybe I could do without all that gassiness, Wolf! But, he just got over a bout of IBS, so even those doggie farts are welcome because it means he is back to eating again).

"Ready to go on a photoshoot, Mom?"
(Funny true story about this photo~I was leaving and walked into the kitchen to get my purse, and this is exactly where I found it! Chloe must have pulled it of my kitchen nook bench...or...she heard me saying "where's my purse" as I always am looking for it as I run out the door! Siberians are smart...hmmm.  I laughed for a long time on this one! I'm laughing now)!

The FiveSibes have come with me to work since...well, since I've had them! Even when I worked outside the home, I still freelanced from home. So the days when I was writing the text for my books, there they were! When the books arrived from the printer, I really think they were just as excited as me! While editing, I'd take photos of them looking at the drafts being my "co-editors." All of my blog posts feature photos of them I have taken, and if I am doing a product review, I set up the photoshoots, sometimes with props, and they are my models (and they really seem to enjoy it)! 

Coffee break time!

I am truly fortunate in that I can take my dogs to work every single day! I do believe that the offices that allow employees to bring their dog(s) to work, it creates a wonderful environment. Not only does the employee feel better about having their beloved dog and maybe worry less about them being left home, but it is also physically healthier as the employee and their dog can go hit up some nearby trails or take a walk around the town during lunch. And everyone knows that when someone is happy, they are naturally more productive, which is a huge positive for the boss! A happy employee makes for a happy employer! So bravo to those businesses that smile upon employees brining their dogs to work!

What is Take Your Dog To Work Day 
All About?

Take Your Dog To Work Day (TYDTWDay) was created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) in 1999. PSI, according to their website, is the "world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters. PSI is dedicated to educating professional pet sitters and promoting, supporting and recognizing excellence in pet sitting." On Take Your Dog To Work Day, which is always celebrated on June 22, PSI suggests the following:

• "Dogs should be kept on a leash, unless they are in an employees’ office or cubicle. 
• Participating employees should use a baby gate to prevent dogs from leaving their offices unsupervised. 
• Specific areas, such as bathrooms or employee dining halls, can be designated dog-free. 
• Have a backup plan for taking a dog home if he is not comfortable in the work environment. 
• Use a local pet sitter to provide midday walks or potty breaks for employees’ dogs."

I'd also like to add a few FiveSibes tips to the list:

• Be sure to get pre-approval from your place of business.
• Be considerate and check ahead of time to be sure your co-workers do not have any allergies.
• Bathe and/or groom your furry best friend for his/her visit. (There is no faster way of turning off a non-dog person than have them be greeted by a smelly dog).
• Bring a portable water bowl, some treats, and a toy or two.
• Will your dog behave? Be sure your dog is as polite as you and will not growl, jump, lick, or hump your co-worker's leg.
• Know that your dog will enjoy the day. If s/he will be stressed, please leave your dog at home where s/he will be safe and happy.
• Keep collars with tags on and be sure all microchip and tag information is correct and up-to-date (just in case the dog wanders out of the office area).
• Only bring your dog if s/he is in good health.
• Bring current copies of your dog's health records.
• Set up a bed for your dog to rest on.
• Use the day to help educate co-workers and staff all about dogs, breeds, and canine healthcare.
• Does your dog like to do tricks? Put on a fun show for co-workers (and supply them with your treats for your dog)!
• Take selfies with your furry best friend and willing co-workers!
• Don't have a dog of your own? Visit a local shelter and share some love with a dog in need!
• Remember to enjoy the day!

For more details and ideas, including a downloadable TYDTWDay "Tool Kit," visit the PSI website HERE. 

Smile! 

You're on Canine Camera!

Wolf smiles for the camera (phone)!

Think you took the cutest photos of your dog at work? Enter your photo in the 2018 TYDTWDay “Dogs at Work” Photo Contest! They are accepting entries from June 22 through June 24, and on June 25th voting begins (and ends on June 29 at 11:59 PM EST)! To submit your photo, simply submit your photos to PSI HERE. The photo with the most votes, will win a Kurgo (2018 sponsor) prize pack, and a $1,000 donation (provided by event creator PSI and 2018 event sponsor Embrace Pet Insurance) will be made in the winner’s honor to the animal shelter or pet-rescue group of his or her choice.

Dog Tags 'n Hash Tags

Don't forget when sharing your pics on social media, use #takeyourdogtoworkday

For this week's FiveSibes Flashback Friday, we are highlighting some past TYDTWDay pics:

#FBF 2013: Bandit, a member of the working breed Siberian Husky, was busy helping me while I worked on my manuscript by taking my calls!

#FBF 2014: Harley assists with the PR for my FiveSibes Tale book starring...herself!

#FBF 2011: Gibson checks out the printer delivery of my FiveSibes Tale book all about him and Canine Epilepsy!

Join us each week for a fun and memorable stroll down Memory Lane in our FiveSibes Flashback Friday Blog Hop! The list is open all week, so if you are busy on Friday, you can come back and still link up! Be sure to visit the "hoppers" blogs, too, for some great fun and photos. What a wonderful way to remember those younger days--whether it is a week ago, a month ago, a year ago, or decades ago! Show us your pet's pics and come hop along!

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