What A Slacker!

One Person’s Office Perk is Another Person’s Nightmare - Dogs at the Office

1 comment February 4th, 2008

One of these so-called office perks that more employers are offering is the ability to bring your dog to work. This is considered quite the office perk for some employees, but not all. And it is an easy one for companies to offer as it usually doesn’t cost a thing, except the discomfort of other employees who don’t like dogs, are afraid of them or are allergic to them. Companies really need to take all these things into account before allowing employees to bring their pets into an office setting.

Really the animals should not be in the general office area and should be confined to closed-off offices. With so many people having allergies these days we have to consider all people in the work place and having animals in the office just might be hazardous to someone’s health if you are not careful.

Where I work the company is lose with that policy and people bring their dogs in to the office. Nice for them. Bad for me. There really is no thought to my wellbeing. I sit there scratching my hives, having trouble breathing and trying to deal with the sinus discomfort caused by an animal that everyone knows I am allergic to. It is no office secret that I go to the doctors on a weekly basis for shots, pills and nasal medications for my allergies. I even went through a serious sinus surgery a year ago, but they persist in exasperating my condition by subjecting me to an allergen which is very bad for me. They might as well feed me peanuts (I’m allergic to them as well). All I can say is thank god none of them have a German Shepherd as my deadly fear of them would keep me out of work. (Yes, I also have a phobia about dogs too.)

So hopefully all the companies out there who are offering this as an office perk are taking into consideration all the people who would rather not be around dogs at work. Perhaps an offer of a doggy daycare would be better than simply having them in the office where they can affect the job performance of the other employees not to mention the performance of the dog’s owner as they now require extended or additional breaks to take the dog out or they stop and play with the dog several times during the day.

Here are a few things to think about before taking your dog into work with you:

• Is your dog friendly to all types of people? Will he get along with everyone? Will everyone get along with him?
• Is he quiet? No unexplained barking, howling or growling? Can’t have loud noises well on the phone with clients.
• Is he well behaved? No jumping up on people, chairs or at tables.
• Above all is he house trained? You don’t want to spend half your day cleaning up after him. You don’t want to offend co-workers with foul smells, especially after the dog is no longer there.
• Was he bathed recently? Dogs have a smell, even clean ones. A clean dog will be less offensive to the people around you.
• Are any of your fellow co-workers allergic, have a phobia or simply dislike dogs? Might want to find out before taking your pooch in to work with you.

Onions Bad for Canines, But Why

Add comment January 23rd, 2008

Earlier this week I had just asked myself why were onions bad for dogs? I meant to look it up online but never got around to it [as I don’t have a dog it is not a pressing matter]. Then tonight while in waiting room at the doctor’s office I was reading a National Geographic from October 2007 when I came across an article on the pet food contaminated with melamine and how normal people food is bad for dogs. It goes on to list other things to watch out for and well thanks to that article I now know that onions damage a dog’s hemoglobin. And that it is cumulative, so even a little onion every once in awhile can be as bad as an entire onion bulb over time. So keep your doggy away from onions.

 But are onions bad for cats?

Big Dogs Need Big Dog Feeders

Add comment September 19th, 2007

The company that makes the Big Dog Feeder had briefly stopped manufacturing it due to a problem with the plant.

They are now back and ready to roll. If you have a big dog you should really take a look at these. They are available at ShopOurPets.com or DogToys.com for around $65.00, but isn’t your big guy worth it? The price may seem high but the Big Dog Feeder is made in the USA and not overseas, plus as the name says it is big.

What is a Big Dog Feeder? The Big Dog Feeder is 16 inches high making it easier for the bigger dog to eat at a more comfortable level. The legs are hollow so filling them with either sand or gravel will help to steady the feeder while he is chowing down. The stainless steel bowls are 4 quarts each [you get 2 — one for food, one for water].

Why a Big Dog Feeder? Because bending over to eat off the floor really isn’t good for your big dog. He can get GDV or Gastric Dilation Volvulus which is a scary technical name for bloating. The big dog feeder raises his eating level to 16” helping to improve his posture and therefore reduce gulping – the main culprit in bloating in dogs.

Older big dogs can now enjoy there meals pain free by not having to add stress to their joints by bending or crouching to eat.

The table top of the Big Dog Feeder measures 28” by 14” and has a raised outer rim to reduce floor spillage. The bowls remove easy for cleaning and are dishwasher safe to boot. With the bowls removed the table top can be easily cleaned with soap and water. The feeder even has the added value of a five year manufacturer’s warranty.

Pet Food & Treats Being Recalled

Add comment August 28th, 2007

More and more pet foods are being recalled. Almost everyday it seems. The latest recall is for dog food from Mars Petcare. [see FDA press release fo rmore info]

Here is identification information on the recalled products:

Product: Krasdale Gravy dry dog food
Size: Five-pound bag
UPC Code: 7513062596
Best By Date: July 16, 2008 & July 17, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Distribution: Stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

Product: Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry dog food
Size: 50-pound bag
UPC Code: 4286900062
Best By Date: July 12, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Distribution: Stores in Reedsland and Richlandtown, Pa.

 And just before that we had jerky style treats being recalled from Wal-mart stores [who ever really trusted the cheap brands brought into Wal-mart or Dollar stores any way?].

 I don’t know about you but since the vast recalls on pet foods earlier this year I am suspect of every brand on the list and will most likely never buy those foods or treats for my cats ever again. Keep your eyes on the FDA’s site for info as it comes to light or to research past recalls. We want our pets to be safe.