Working from home has its perks and downfalls. Mostly perks. I’ve had a 9-5(-ish) job, so I know how good I have it. Here are a few:

Downfalls
– No free coffee.
– No free popcorn on Fridays.
– No one decorates my desk when it’s my birthday.
– I have to throw out my own garbage/recycling.

Perks
– I don’t have to leave the house when it’s -35 degrees.
– My commute is 10 seconds long with no traffic or crowded trains.
– I can wear the same pants three days in a row and no one notices.
– I don’t have to share a bathroom.
– I get to spend all day with my dog.

Pre-Squash, I worked in advertising. Back then, my husband and I talked a lot about adopting a dog, but we both worked too much to justify having one. The day I quit my full-time job to work on my own business, we knew it was our chance to bring a little one home.

Adopting a dog is such an amazing, fulfilling, scary, and time-consuming experience. When my business was getting started, I had plenty of time to train and play with The Squarsh. I knew she was super smart. She picked up commands and tricks extremely fast and I quickly learned that even the littlest cues made a big impact on her.

Because I’m with her all day every day, I enjoy witnessing the interesting habits Squashington has learned over the past year and a half.

1.) In the morning, when my alarm goes off, she jumps up on the bed and puts her face in my face. I’ll say “unh-unh” and she knows it’s snooze time and curls up at the bottom of the bed to wait for the next alarm.

2.) Whenever I close my laptop, she jumps up out of her seat. Even when she’s in a deep slumber, the click of the computer makes her stand at attention because she knows I’m getting up to do something.

3.) She pokes her head in every single bag or purse that is within reach. She assumes there’s always something in there for her.

4.) Around noon, you can hear the neighbor’s door downstairs open and Squash runs to the window because she knows she gets to see her boyfriend Miles the Pug go for a walk. True love.

5.) She has her favorite spots to sit or sleep. The ottoman by the window to watch the squirrels and dogs. The leather chair where she can peer over the armrest and stare at me. Any blanket. And she likes to steal my spot when I get up and go into another room. It might be because it’s warm or possibly because she doesn’t want me to go back to work.

Now that I’m busier, I don’t have as much time to entertain Squishity. I try to play chase or fetch or do tricks with her throughout the day, even if just for a minute. And I make an effort to go on long walks at lunchtime (also a good reason for me to get out of the cage…I mean house). I always feel a little guilty when she puts her sweet head and paw on my arm for pets but I have to keep typing away.

As I am writing this sentence right now, she has brought over one of her favorite squeaky toys and wants to play. No lie! I just can’t resist her eager face. Sorry folks, I’m going to peace out and go play with my dog…because I can!

• What’s your favorite way to keep your dog busy when you’re hard at work?
• What good distractions does pet provide throughout your workday? How about bad distractions?

Katy comes with an advertising background and a Master’s in Social Psychology, so she can basically read your mind. She’s also the proud parent of a sweet, smart, energetic “borador” named Squash (aka Squasharina, aka Squashinator, aka Squishy). Katy helps manage Marketing and Operations at Rover-Time with Julia.