Working from home with pets sounds adorable until reality hits, until your Zoom call is interrupted by a barking fit or a cat sprawled across your keyboard.
Suddenly, your office isn’t yours alone. That’s about when you realise that this is a huge challenge.
It has its own set of unseemingly large number of logistical and practical obstacles.
Is it even possible to work with them – I mean the obstacles? And how can you survive?
The Challenge
Of course, the issue is that pets want attention.
Your cat may very well decide it wants to come and sit on your keyboard. Or your dog decides its play time and gives your leg a gentle nudge with their head until you play with them.
This isn’t always the case! Some dogs (older ones in particular) will happily curl up on the couch behind you all day. Some cats are loners and would rather you didn’t pay them any attention!
So, this is certainly possible, depending on the kind of pet you have but may not be always the case.
I know for sure life’s isn’t quiet with Doofus around. He decides to start barking, at what I don’t know. Or will run to the door and bark as if a gang of intruders are at the door, tearing it down. And when I go to check, it’s …no, never mind!
Or chasing him to retrieve a sock or footwear or even a notebook does add a few thousand steps to my daily workout.
I read recently that dog owners walk a million steps more in their lifetime. Whosoever wrote that did it from experience.
Along with stretches into the narrow corners which reminds me to cut down on my expansion projects!
Bigger challenges are when I decide to take my coffee break. Those soulful eyes bore into the cup, heating it a few more degrees than my scorched hands can handle.
Here I’m pounding the keyboard with words coming out faster than the bullets from Schwarzenegger’s gun, giving finishing touches to my next blog, when all of a sudden, I feel a wet muzzle and then a slimy green squeaky ball falls into my lap. “It’s time to play mommy!”
I can go on with the various breaks I’m forced to take during the day. He’s lucky he’s adorable; anyone else and I would’ve snapped their head off for disturbing me so often.
Life with Doofus is a marathon of mini interruptions. Each one stretches my patience and focus muscles. Yet it gives me the energy to bounce back to my work and make the best of the available time.
What To Do Then?
It’s not as bad as it sounds but there are a few things you can do to make life easier for yourself. And I’ve learned them the hard way!
- Morning Walk
One option is to go for a morning walk, or to play with your pet early in the morning, before you settle down with your work. You don’t have a commute, so you’ve a bit of extra time for this.
It’s a good way to make sure you stay active prior to your working day. You too can benefit from the fresh air and stretches.
And your dog gets the much-needed exercise. They enjoy the walks. The smells stimulate them and get them tired. The physical exercise keeps them healthy and fit.
So, now you can work for an hour or two as they sleep.
- Make the House Distraction Free
You’ll often find them snucking away with things, like a shoe or sock or remote control, just to get your attention!
Make sure that office and the rest of the house is free from things that they can destroy or tamper with.
Keep a toy or favourite chewy around for them to play with. Rotate them every few days to keep the novelty 😉
Do that, and you might just settle into a pleasant understanding. And you’ll both love the arrangement!
- Shutting the Door
Another tip (and it might feel harsh) is to shut the door.
Your pet won’t like this at first. They’ll whine and bark and scratch at the door!
Especially during calls. Don’t give in. Unless of course you don’t mind them around.
But remember, you’re going to see them many times throughout the day.
You can play with them at lunch, you can walk them as soon as you finish work, and you can pet them when you take a break for coffee.
That’s much more than they otherwise would’ve had. Don’t let them guilt trip you into spending more time with them because you’re neglecting them. Or giving them more treats.
Keeping the door closed also means that you can get the quiet you need to focus. It just requires a little training.
Wrap Up
Yes, I’ve lost my quiet routines. Now a few minutes by myself is a luxury (even the bathroom is no longer a refuge).
But I’ve gained something far richer – loyalty, laughter and unexpected productivity.
Instead, I sometimes wonder what was I doing before he invaded the house?
Dogs are the embodiment of selfless love. All they want is a little love from you, your time and attention, and food! And in return they love you like no one ever did or will do.
Working with him in the house is a welcome disruption. And surprisingly, has made me more productive and focused.
He has brought a permanent spark of sunshine and energy into our lives.
Is having a pet the missing piece in your life?
I completely agree….😀