The global pandemic has drastically changed the working world, and many of those changes are likely to remain permanent. Before the pandemic hit, I worked for a mid-sized counseling agency, where I enjoyed the company of numerous co-workers. We would talk in the hallway between sessions and chat over lunch in the break room. The abrupt transition to working from home was hard to get used to at first. Luckily, I have 5 pets, who I immediately started referring to as my new co-workers.
This is Alice, my primary co-therapist. She spends most counseling sessions in my lap and occasionally stands up to appear with me in the web cam. Among all the critters, she is the happiest that I now work from home. At 14 years old, she is the most senior employee.
Sammie also likes to be in the room during counseling sessions. She doesn’t quite fit in my lap, so she usually lays next to the desk. A doggie DNA test revealed that Sammie is 25% Pit Bull, 25% Boxer, 13% Labrador Retriever, and 37% mutt. Despite being big and powerful, she’s wonderful with her kitty co-workers.
Rory is the office clown – you know the type – the one who shows up on time but never seems to be working. I found Rory crawling across a busy street when he was about 4 weeks old. I just managed to slam on my brakes before hitting him with my car! I brought him home where he was promptly adopted by Sammie the dog. Rory loves his adopted mom above all others.
This is Wedge. He spends most of his time in the break room, hoping that someone will share their lunch with him. My husband glimpsed Wedge as a kitten in a parking deck downtown – right before he ran through a hole in the wall and got stuck. The Atlanta fire department had to cut into the building to get him out, and he’s been with us ever since.
Ood is a part-time employee who is involved in a scandalous office romance with Wedge. He came to us as a feral cat and is the only one with outdoor privileges. After 5 years of very gradual socialization, he will sometimes let us pet him.
I hope you enjoyed this sillier blog post and excuse for me to show off my critters!