LIVING: Working Like a Dog – What it’s Like to Bring Your Dog to Work
They might not be able to make the perfect brew or fix those infuriating excel formulas, but dogs more than make up for their lack of IT skills with their undeniable adorableness. As more companies realise the positive impact of our clever canines in the workplace, more offices are becoming dog-friendly. We spoke to four fashionable ladies who bring their dashing dogs to work to find out what mischief and mishaps they get up to.
Jessica Fletcher, Head of Sales at House of Holland with Coco, her four year old Boston Terrier Jack Russell cross.
Does Coco come to House of Holland HQ in Shoreditch with you most days?
Yes, she has her bed next to my desk. When she’s not with me she goes with her Dad, Adam Reed to his salon Percy & Reed.
What do you think she brings to the atmosphere of the House of Holland office?
She brings calm, love and happiness.
Is she popular with everyone in the office?
Everyone loves her – some more than others. Henry secretly adores her but won’t admit it – he pretends to only like French Bulldogs.
How does she get on with other dogs that pop in?
Occasionally Pixie and Grimmy have brought dogs in. Coco’s always keen to play. Aggy’s dog Rudy has come in too – he’s Top Dog.
Does she fancy herself as a furry-fashionista? If so, how would you describe her style?
Coco’s quite laid back really, she doesn’t mind what she wears. Today she’s quite casual and wearing a red hoody.
Coco must have notched up some modelling credits?
Coco was featured in the Sunday Times Magazine recently with us as a crucial member of the team. She’s also been in Nylon Korea and she had a walk in park on Styled to Rock, Rihanna’s TV series with Henry and Nicola Roberts.
Coco was also the inspiration for the House of Holland Man Alive Dog coat last year. Any plans for more doggy pieces in the collection?
I hope so! A few other things are taking priority at the moment but I’m definitely bringing it up at the next range-plan.
Shop the House of Holland Collection, including the designer dog coats at houseofholland.co.uk
Whistles top dog – Doogie
Virginia Norris, Head of PR at Whistles with her Dachshund Doogie:
What is Whistles’ policy on having dogs in the office?
It’s generally on a case by case basis, but once they’re in they get lots of attention and love. Doogie forced his way in and now keeps us entertained on Fridays.
Whistles CEO Jane Shepherdson is a dog lover – does her pooch come to the office?
Dexter does come in occasionally when he’s not busy racing around parks and being handsome.
How many days a week does Doogie normally come to work with you?
Just on Fridays, any more and I wouldn’t get any work done. He likes to sit as close as possible (read; permanently on my lap) and follows my every move, barks at couriers and generally makes himself popular, so for everyone’s sake he only comes in once a week.
What do you love about having him in the office?
He is a great ice-breaker in meetings, entertaining, makes people smile when he’s not barking at them. Having a pet in the office creates a slightly different atmosphere, in a good way!
Any embarrassing scenarios?
In desperation to be near me, he escaped from the press office and legged it in to the showroom where Jane, our Merchandising Director and I were having an important meeting with a Russian client. We heard him running down the corridor, then he charged in. No one was impressed and I was mainly ashamed. That time he didn’t lighten the mood.
Do you take him out with you on meetings?
If the place and people are dog friendly then it’s fine, otherwise I try not to as not everyone loves a dog, insane as it may sound.
Can you recommend some dog-friendly places near Whistles HQ?
Caravan in Kings Cross is good – Im not sure what their official stance is but they always smile at Doogie and don’t seem to mind. Also the York and Albany in Regents Park is brilliant, dogs are very welcome there.
Working in fashion, Doogie must have a serious sense of style. What is his most treasured item?
Doogie likes to test his treasured items by ripping them to pieces generally. He does have a Markus Lupfer for Whistles cashmere jumper. Anything I can find that fits him is good, he is happy to wear anything really.
We loved your Whistles collaboration with Markus Lupfer featuring the ‘WOOF’ doggy sweater. Any plans for stylish dog products in future?
I do think there’s a big opportunity for someone to design and create some very chic dog products, we will always consider it when the right opportunity comes up!
Shop the Whistles collection including the Markus Lupfer ‘WOOF!’ dog sweater at: www.whistles.co.uk
Philippe Le Traveller, Le Frenchie at Conde Nast Traveller
Isobel McMahon, Senior Account Manager at luxury travel bible,Conde Nast Traveller with her French Bulldog – Philippe
What’s the best thing about having Philippe at work with you?
He encourages everyone from our floor to come and visit our office. They all want to pop in and have a quick play and a cuddle. I have met so many new friends from having him in the building.
Having pets in the workplace has been proven to reduce stress. Do you think Philippe has that effect on the Conde Nast Traveller office?
Yes, he 100% diffuses any tension or stress relatively immediately – it’s hard to get too upset with those eyes looking up at you or him bouncing at your feet to play.
Does Conde Nast have a relaxed attitude towards pets in the workplace?
Yes, everyone is very friendly towards pets, with the caveat that they shouldn’t disturb the daily work routine. Phil is most loved when he is sleeping soundly at my feet in his little bed.
How do you find travelling into work with him? Is he well versed with getting around London?
Well as Phil is a Frenchie, he is both extremely curious and unbelievably friendly, leading to some interesting interactions on the tube. No one’s handbag is off limits!
Has Philippe ever got himself into any humorous situations at work?
Yes, depending on who you ask. Buts let’s just say he has made his ‘mark’ at the top of the masthead when he was three months old!
Working at Conde Nast Traveller, Philippe must know a thing or two about luxurious destinations. Where is his ultimate getaway?
New York – There are lots of pet friendly places to hang out, friends to meet, shopping to do and hotel rooms to sniff around. The Standard Hotel in the Meat Packing District is his favourite, followed by a walk to the dog park by Chelsea Piers.
What tips would he give to fellow canine travellers?
Travel in Business or First so you will 100% avoid the hold!
You can follow all Philippe’s expert travel advice via his Twitter @TravellerPhil
Lucinda & Percy
Lucinda Elmes, Interior Designer at Capital Interiors with her Dachshund Percy
You’ve had percy at work with you since he was a puppy. Was it hard to get work done and look after him in the early stages?
It was definitely a bit of a balancing act in the beginning. I used a travel crate which allowed me to lock him away if I needed to which helped a lot. Mainly though I had him on my lap while I sat at my computer because otherwise there were just too many temptations for a mischievous puppy.
How did you manage to toilet train him at work?
There were obviously quite a few accidents – I had puppy pads everywhere! Because of his extra-long body, he would always manage only to have his front paws on the pad, so he was constantly missing it at the back end! Being at work did make me more vigilant at taking him regularly though which I think sped up the whole process.
Any really embarrassing mis-haps?
He did once do a massive, loose number two in the Pret near my office while I was getting Coffee one morning. Mortifying! They were very nice about it.
Is Percy a help or a hinderance at work?
The majority of the time he is a complete help because it makes me very happy just to have him around. I am lucky though that in my industry, it’s almost odd to not have a dog around. Most of the showrooms atChelsea Design Centre have dogs as well so he is welcome in there too. It does mean extra thought to how you plan your day – you can’t just up and leave without having someone to look after him.
What’s the best thing about having Percy at work with you?
Aside from the general loveliness that comes with having any dog around, it does give me an excuse to leave the office for a proper break which I never did before. Even if it’s five minutes just trotting him around Vincent Square, it gets me a away from my desk.
Has Percy become the office mascot?
Percy is definitely the office mascot – he is often missed when he is on an R&R break at his favorite Norfolk country pile (my Mum’s). I think he’s relaxing to have around and colleagues are always coming up to my office just to have a cuddle or a five minute play. People were even asking why he wasn’t at our Christmas lunch!
Do your clients love him?
I think they believe he is the creative driving force behind the entire company. And they would be right.
Can you recommend some dog-friendly places near your office?
Most of the Pubs in the near vicinity are Dog friendly, in particular The Queens Arms which I think does the best food. We are lucky as being in Pimlico, means they are a bit more relaxed than in town.
Percy must have impeccable taste in interiors. Does he have some designer pieces at home?
He’s a Red Brindle which means he looks pretty great in any colour, however he is particularly fond of purple which is appropriately regal. He loves his Siro Twist Pet Bed – the fab design and orthopedic cushion makes it his favourite place to be when at home relaxing.
No comments:
Post a Comment