here are animals taking over home offices by Alison Green on February 1, 2018 In the comments on last week’s post about working from home with pets, demands were made for a post with photos of pets taking over people’s workspaces. I sent out a call for them, and you delivered, with a ton of photos readers submitted of their pets in their workspaces — mostly home offices, but not entirely. (Click photos to enlarge. And if you’re reading this from the home page, you have to click through to see the photos.) My home office doubles as my academic space. Brigette decided that I needed a break from my statistics assignment. I think I read on your blog that if your cat is being pesky while you’re working, it can help to put a box on your desk. Sometimes the toodies just confine themselves to the boxes. Worked for me! (Well, it worked one day!) Marlowe, making my writing work very difficult! My husband freelances as a theatrical sound designer and recording engineer. The cat decided to mix his tracks for him. My husband says compromise is how he works with pets. This is my cat Bob creeping on my pen. This is what my cat does when he wants my attention. I stick my hands under him and keep typing. This is Mica, my 5 year old kitty, sitting directly in front of me with his tail draped luxuriously over my arm. Mica situated more conveniently on his little makeshift bed next to the keyboard. One of the office kitties. This office cat went home with a coworker. Sometimes they go after your coffee. Cats will be cats Got a new puppy right around Christmas one year, he got neutered. The office was dead that week so the boss let me bring him in. He refused to be anywhere other than ON my desk. Meet Mr. Spock. Here’s Otter, one of our Siberian huskies, trying to help with my data analysis. My Jack Russell Terrier, Frito. “I’m just composing a memo to my troops regarding how easy it is to conquer these fickle, easily manipulated humans. Now, human, make yourself useful and PET ME.” “This is MY lap. I have conquered it and now I own it. I own this household. Soon I will own this planet. Resistance is futile; you will be assimilated.” Hailee is a rescue; I’ve had her 6 months. She has her space, as you see, right on my desk and spends about 70% of her time there while I’m working. SHE NEVER BARKS!! This means that I don’t have to worry about her making noise while I’m on conference calls. Being able to easily pet her during the day keeps me relaxed. Cheddar is efficient at blocking both my keyboard and graphics tablet. Fortunately, my husband also works from home, so we divide the cat-intrusion equally. Arya taking over my workspace How dare you work from home! Don’t you know that this is my chair when you’re not here? This is Digby, the slacker :) A few years ago my coworker who i shared an office with was out on paternity leave, and my boss who worked in the office next door said it would be fine if I brought my dogs to the office for the afternoon since it was over the summer and very quiet… They ended up napping on my desk most of the time. Here is one of my cats, Diego, who loves it when I work from home. Whether I take up residence on the sofa or at my kitchen table, he’s right there with me. He usually wants to be as close as possible to the computer and if I get up for even a few seconds, he snatches the opportunity to sit on the keyboard immediately. This is Lucy (a cockatiel). Every morning, I bring her cage into my home office (if I don’t, she will call to me from the other room until I go get her). If I have an important call and she’s being especially noisy, I will put her in another room, but most of the time she roams free in my office, even sitting on my shoulder. My colleagues and main clients are used to her occasional “participation” in meetings. You can see very clearly here that my dog Link did not want me to work. Lorelei insists my typing isn’t important; pettings are importanter. ;) Jasper is so pushy, he insisted on coming to work with me in my office. I have two sweet cats at home (they just turned a year old) and they are like little shadows – they follow me from room to room. I work from home at least one day a week, sometimes more, and there is rarely a minute when the cats aren’t in the same room as me. Even if they’re fast asleep and I get up to pee or get a snack, they get up and follow me. They do bother me a little from time to time, but part of my routine for setting up for the work day is to also set up some space for the kittens. I lay out a blanket for them at the end of the desk and inevitably, they end up sleeping most of the day away, right beside me as I work. And honestly, they’re an absolute delight and far more charming and interesting than most of my human coworkers, so it’s hard to complain. Working from home. Went to the bathroom and came back to find this. Mad Eye loves my WAH Days. This was my Cavalier Frankie. He used to come in to work with me and lay under my desk. Occasionally he’d wander out looking for me if I’d gone somewhere but most days no one knew if he was in or not! Best-behaved co-worker I’ve ever had! Andy wanted on my desk. I wanted Andy on the floor. We compromised. (Yes, I put him in there, but he seemed to find the arrangement satisfactory.) This is what often happens when I get up, even if it’s only for a couple of minutes. I work in the tech industry, and as long as I have my laptop I can work anywhere. My 2 year old beagle-mix Mason follows me around the house and is always trying to jump on my lap while working. Here he is in my seat when I got up for a minute. A bit of bittersweet timing on this post – this is Tino, my furry companion through so many life changes. He actually passed away this weekend, days after I sent in this photo. Advice from a grieving pet owner: set aside your cellphone/laptop/random project management books for a few minutes tonight and give your pets an extra snuggle or two. Love you, Tino. Lady, aka “the boss,” was busy supervising me and the “new hire,” my at the time 6 month old son. She takes her job very seriously. It’s not uncommon for my sweet boy, Ian, to demand attention regardless of how hard I’m trying to work. This image was from a photoshoot and profile interview about my tabletop games efforts and captures a typical day. Ramona Quimby Age Cat from the week she worked in my office at Waltham Fields Community Farm! Most of photos are of my cat being a typical cat and sitting on the computer. Her name is Donna. My favorite one, though, is the one where she waited until I stood up from the couch to answer the door and stole my seat! (I was working from home, temporarily, while some house repairs were underway – hence the couch.) This is Millie! She and her bro Leon are my work-from-home coworkers. They are also the only coworkers whose complete lack of boundaries is acceptable to me. This is Beebe, drinking from my water on my work desk at home. I had to buy a keyboard cover specifically for this issue. I have no advice on how to mitigate it….I just have to roll her off and deal with her being disgruntled. I work from home once a week, and usually my cat Dmitri just curls up next to me and sleeps. But occasionally he’s a little less considerate. This picture is what I returned to after leaving my laptop alone for one minute. Max is a decent manager, despite being a seven-year-old. You can’t sit here – I’m working. This is Bertie commandeering my laptop to google how to take over the world…. I work from home, and I often fear that Lexi is trying to steal my job… He’s a 18-month-old medium hair rescue kitty, and apparently, an aspiring journalist. My Azami, when I attended School of the Art Institute of Chicago and tutored part time. I suspect he knew I was an art student, and therefore constantly mugged for shots. This is a photo of my (then three month old kitten) cat Moo. We adopted him in September, when the weather was changing, and he was cold (we hadn’t turned the heat on yet) and he wanted my attention, and thus, this ensued. He moved up to walking on my chest when I made it very clear that laptop sitting was unacceptable. This is how we work from home, with Bleu wedged between me and the back of the chair. It’s this or being yapped at all day. I have a secretary-style desk, and my cat likes to get in behind my laptop docking station to take advantage of the warmth. It’s all dead space back there when I’m working, so it’s fine until he decides to pop out and knock my mouse on the floor. Then he gets booted. :) Frankie J. Cat at work. I tried putting his felted bowl on the desk, but if he can’t stand on the keyboard, he’d rather take over the dog’s bed in front of the fire. This is my full- time WFH set-up: armchair, laptop, fireplace, dog. Love it! Angua Grace Puppinsky-Rompanopolis, Lieutenant General of the Red Hound Army and High Ambassador to the Kitten Kingdom, is a bloodhound-lab mix who mostly likes to lay on the pillow behind my chair during the workday, but sleeps in it when I’m not working. My kitty George is definitely my constant companion. I tried bringing a cat tree and a dog bed into my office (which doubles as the guest room), but they both prefer sleeping on the guest bed. The dog occasionally sits in the cat tree, though…. Alannah Jane Sleepyface Corporal Radar Wigglebottom the Froshus, Queen of the Carrot Mafia and Bane of All Flossiraptors Errywhere, is a whippet-boxer mix adopted at 8 weeks old right after I started working from home full time. She’s now 3.5. About thirty seconds after I took this picture, she startled awake and about overturned my desk because her butt was stuck under it. That weekend I replaced the desk chair with a big armchair. Her first day at work, under my desk with her doggy trainer. Our smaller dog decides to use my hand as her chin rest while sitting on my lap at my desk, which is definitely more important than my attempts to get work done. Meanwhile, our larger dog decides when my work day is done for me by physically lifting my hand off my computer mouse. More often than not, one of my cats gets jealous of the laptop and the work documents. See attached photo. (Note, my laptop/couch is my work space. My solution has been to let them cuddle beside me. Sometimes I even give them papers I no longer need so they can lie down on them instead of the ones still in use.) This is Watson. He is a giant baby and often joins me for meetings. My colleagues do enjoy seeing him on video conference. This is his usual spot. He has sat with me like this since he was a baby. This is his brother, Aero. Aero is much more curious and likes to chase the cursor. I work on my laptop on the couch. This lets Buster keep my feet warm, and Chocolate keep a wary distance until she wants skritches. They very rarely interfere with my work. Jadzia, my tortie with an attitude. Don’t let the closed eyes fool you, Buds is ready to swat the hand that tries to type! I volunteer as a zoo/museum educator, teaching people about invertebrates, which is how I got into bug-keeping. Madagascar hissing cockroaches are really entertaining, low-maintenance pets and they are quite different from the American or German roach species that appear as pests in people’s houses. They don’t have wings, for one, which is something that helps a lot of people feel less squicked out. In their native habitat, they live on the forest floor or in fallen trees/logs and eat accumulated plant material, so they play an important role in their ecosystem. They actually produce some antimicrobial compounds that (so I’ve been told) help them stay healthy — so they are quite clean. My hissers are named Luther, Alice, Ripley, North, Teller, and Gray (after the characters in the show Luther). They definitely each have their own characteristics/behaviors/personality traits. You may also like:my company wants to sponsor me for a service dog, but I'm not sure I should acceptmy colleague is allergic to me because of my catsupdate: my company wants to sponsor me for a service dog, but I’m not sure I should accept { 280 comments }
MN HR Newbie* February 1, 2018 at 3:04 pm Yes! Love spotting the Current in unexpected places! Good musical taste, even if the bugs are a little less my style!
A.J.* February 2, 2018 at 5:36 pm The lobby radio at my workplace is usually on KDWB or some such but I went upstairs today and someone had swapped it to The Current and I was so happy.
Raddest* February 1, 2018 at 3:24 pm I confess, I was looking for rats–the other favorite traditional ‘gross’ pet. Older boy rats are kind of like having a very small, lap-oriented cat who can’t yell at you when you put them away for a while. They are a social species, but it’s easy to have a very happy mischief of 3-4 entertain each other when you’re busy. Ideal home office pets, really.
Jessica* February 2, 2018 at 1:35 pm I love the roaches! As a former insect zoo worker (maybe my best job ever), I can confirm that Madagascar roaches are great.
Connie-Lynne* February 3, 2018 at 2:52 pm A friend modeled in a fashion show where the designer had decorated, tame roaches as jewelry. I got to let one run around on me. It was truly bizarre, but very neat.
TassieTiger* February 1, 2018 at 2:47 pm Let’s be thoughtful with our words…the cockroaches are someone’s loved pets, we do t really need to share if we think their pets are gross, I feel.
Rebecca in Dallas* February 1, 2018 at 4:35 pm Yes, I needed a warning! I literally jumped when I scrolled to that picture.
Sylvan* February 1, 2018 at 5:20 pm I like the cockroaches! I used to see hissing cockroaches in a museum when I was a kid. They’re very different from the household pest kind.
Allie* February 1, 2018 at 12:35 pm !! This post is the BEST! Thank you! My Thursday just got a lot brighter :)
Myrin* February 1, 2018 at 12:37 pm This is a delightful post, thanks so much for inlcuding things like this in your blog, Alison! Also, the bird!! And the cockroaches!!
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 12:55 pm Those are my roaches! They are very pleased to be featured here. :) (And I apologize if they freaked anyone out, I definitely didn’t mean for that to happen!!)
Ask a Manager* Post authorFebruary 1, 2018 at 12:57 pm Will you tell us more about what they’re like as pets / how you came to have them?
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 1:04 pm Alison, I just sent you an email but I am happy to spread the insect love here in the comments too. :) I volunteer as a zoo/museum educator, teaching people about invertebrates. Hissers are a really great “ambassador species” for that kind of work, plus they are just downright fun, so after a while I got some of my own. I love fluffy pets too, but my spouse is allergic so I have to get creative with my choice of pets! My hissers live in a terrarium and eat scraps of fruits & vegetables.
Hey-eh* February 1, 2018 at 1:15 pm My dad works in the pest control industry and used to have these cockroaches at the office – they’d bring them to trade shows and public events to get people to come to their booths. He would sometimes bring them home to take care of them and as kids we got to play with them. They are SURPRISINGLY fun to pet and play with. At the museum in my city they keep them in the ‘kid zone’ and sometimes they’ll have volunteers out letting people hold them.. my husband gets weirded out by how excited I am when that happens!
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 1:34 pm That’s fabulous. Some of my favorite visitor interactions at my volunteer job have been with people in the pest control industry! I’ve had fascinating conversations with them about the education/outreach component of pest control.
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 4:42 pm Tassie, they mostly his when they are mad, though males do have a special hiss that is basically “heyyyyyyy ladies.” If they are feeling relaxed/safe, they will sort of sit up and wave their antennas around though, which is fun to watch.
Coalea* February 1, 2018 at 2:31 pm I used to work in the office of a pest control company and the owner had a terrarium full of them. Occasionally he would lift the lid, “tickle” them, and true to their name, they would hiss. It was not my favorite part of that job! :)
KR* February 1, 2018 at 1:29 pm They’re much nicer looking than the ones that I find on my patio and in my garage during the spring and summer!!
Elizabeth H.* February 1, 2018 at 3:52 pm When I was in third grade, we had Madagascar hissing roaches visit us as class pets for a month (part of outreach by someone with a job like yours, I think). They were SO COOL – I loved them, they were so clean seeming, they didn’t smell at all, and they felt so smooth and nice to pet with a finger down their backs.
paul* February 1, 2018 at 1:37 pm Not HC but I used to have hissers, dubai and death’s heads roaches. They’re actually really neat to watch; hissers can climb glass though, and the nymphs are small enough to get through most lids, so it’s good to coat 2″ or so of hte top of their terrarium in Vaseline. They’re fairly active when the lights low, and you’ll occasionally see the males butt heads with these little horn projections–they’re really neat. I fed mine a mix of fruit and veggie table scraps and decent quality dry dog food.
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 2:03 pm Yes, that’s my experience too! One of my males is really vocal and often sits around in the evening rotating through his various hisses. So I will be watching TV and he’s making color commentary.
Tassie Tiger* February 1, 2018 at 10:12 pm I can’t reply above, for some reason, but just wanted to say the idea of a “heyyyyyy ladies” hiss is hilarious! Does your vocal male ever practice his “heyyy” hiss while you’re watching tv?
Murphy* February 1, 2018 at 12:59 pm I was mostly joking with my comment! They’d freak me out in person, but they were simply unexpected here.
heatherskib* February 1, 2018 at 1:11 pm Agreed! They’re not the nasty german ones. They’re cool in person, but I wasn’t expectig them on this thread!
EddieSherbert* February 1, 2018 at 1:17 pm I have so many questions! Can you tell them apart? Do they need heatpads/lights in their cage? Have you ever lost one in your house letting them roam like that?!
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 1:38 pm Yes, Yes (just the heat, they don’t like light), and unfortunately Yes (but we found him again and, being a cockroach, he didn’t seem any worse for wear).
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 2:27 pm Yeah, pretty much! He was chilling out under a cabinet for an embarrassingly long time (weeks) and when he decided to come out he was just thirsty.
EddieSherbert* February 1, 2018 at 3:44 pm Haha, wow! That’s crazy. I’d be worried about vacuuming him up or squishing him. I’ve heard the whole “they’ll survive anything” thing… but still!
Your Weird Uncle* February 1, 2018 at 1:41 pm Our local Natural History Museum told us that they would escape from their cages all the time! Having looked at those cages, I have no idea how they would get out….there didn’t appear to be any cracks or large seams in the cages, and they were quite big! Impressive bunch, those cockroaches.
Red Reader* February 1, 2018 at 3:49 pm I was about to ask my housemate if he’d considered them as pets. But not if they’re escape prone. Hah. Right now as the landlord, my pet ruleset is no more free-ranging animals – we have two dogs and four cats already – maximum of four legs (with potential negotiation up to six, but eight is right out), and nothing that eats live crickets, because if THOSE guys get loose, they’re in the walls forever. :-P
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 5:39 pm The way to avoid escapes is to smear some Vaseline around the top of their container. They can climb glass walls, but they either can’t or won’t climb up over a strip of Vaseline. The nymphs are super tiny, but hissers only reproduce when temperatures are high enough, so you can (usually) prevent population growth through temperature control.
Lynca* February 1, 2018 at 1:36 pm I like the roaches. But I’ve always had a soft spot for invertebrates <3
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 1:59 pm Nope, just a fan of the Current. My husband used to live in Mpls and I got hooked when I visited him there!
Nita* February 1, 2018 at 2:58 pm They’re adorable! I’ve seen hissers live at a museum once. Somehow they don’t provoke the same instinctive response as pest roaches, at least for me. Maybe it’s the lack of wings. Maybe it’s the size – hard for a critter that big to just sneak up on you :)
Turtlewings* February 1, 2018 at 3:04 pm How fragile are they? I would be terrified of accidentally crushing them!
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 4:46 pm Nah, they’re pretty tough. You could kill one by stomping on it, but it would be hard to squish them accidentally. It’s not like tarantulas where they could probably get injured by a stiff breeze.
Mockingjay* February 1, 2018 at 6:13 pm Much nicer than the Palmetto Bugs (American cockroach) that keep trying to squat in my house! Bless South Carolina!
Comms Girl* February 1, 2018 at 12:42 pm This is adorable – can’t believe I missed your call! Will you do another another one of these? I would love to share a picture of my cat and her plans to ruin my WFH Mondays :) You all have lovely pets, I wanna cuddle them all!
Froggy* February 1, 2018 at 12:58 pm I know – how did I miss your call for photos?!?!? This is great ! I can say that having my dogs with me in my home office definitely helps reduce some stress. Love my furry co-workers!
The Cosmic Avenger* February 1, 2018 at 1:15 pm I know, I missed it, too! Although my cats tend to sleep all day so they can better frantically charge around at night.
strawberries and raspberries* February 1, 2018 at 12:42 pm I’m glad this was all one post and not a series of posts, as it would have been extremely hard to resist my compulsion to type BABY on every single one. (98% of the time when I tag my boyfriend on a Facebook or Instagram post, it’s a picture of a cat and it says BABY)
Adlib* February 1, 2018 at 2:07 pm Ha, yes! I call them all babies too. I missed the call on this one, but I’ll look out for the next!
strawberries and raspberries* February 1, 2018 at 4:34 pm As contentious as it became, a small part of me was incredibly delighted by the raging “are cats babies” debate that generated a four-digit number of comments a few posts ago. (FWIW, #catsarebabies)
Kat Em* February 1, 2018 at 12:43 pm Aw, so nice to see invertebrates getting some love too! I don’t have pets (and if I did, cockroaches wouldn’t be on the list), but I love folks that have nontraditional animal friends. :)
Red Reader* February 1, 2018 at 12:44 pm Angua and Alannah would like to thank you for contributing to their Worldwide Fame and Fortune. Alannah is working on renegotiating her contract to get more bacon – Angua, having turned ten on Sunday, has announced her retirement, but decided she wants emeritus status so she can keep access to her office pillow. ;)
Red Reader* February 1, 2018 at 12:51 pm Both my girls are named for kick-butt literary women – Angua’s is from Discworld, aye, and Alannah’s from the Lioness Quartet.
Red Reader* February 1, 2018 at 1:29 pm I didn’t name Angua – so, she’s got a funny story. I adopted her when she was 3.5 from a friend who was planning to move overseas, and he’s the one who named her. (The actual Angua was a blonde, in the books – the first female captain of the guard of the city of Ankh-Morpork, in the books, and also a werewolf.) He only ended up being overseas for a couple of months, then came back. I told him he couldn’t have my dog back. We got married in September, and joke that he married me for the dog :) Alannah was almost Aoife, but I decided that I didn’t want to have to spend her life spelling and pronouncing it for vet staff – I have to do that with Angua as it is. (I think we technically pronounce it wrong anyway – we say it an-joo-ah, like Angela but with a u. I think it’s supposed to have a hard g sound like good though.)
Boop* February 1, 2018 at 1:22 pm YES!! Another (adult) Tamora Pierce fan! Do you also read Sherwood Smith?
Boop* February 1, 2018 at 1:42 pm “Crown Duel” was my first of her books and I love it. Also really enjoyed “A Posse of Princesses” – the naivete of the characters was both charming and very relatable.
kitryan* February 1, 2018 at 5:21 pm I love Sherwood Smith too – so I’m seconding the recommendation. None of the descriptions/summaries of her books has grabbed me, but after the first couple pages I’m always hooked – each and every time. While I love the Inda books, Crown Duel and A Posse of Princesses are great starting points. I’ve only read the first one (Stranger) of the series she wrote with Rachel Manija Brown but that was good too.
JessaB* February 1, 2018 at 10:54 pm Never heard of Smith but if Pierce fans are saying good, I’mma read that.
MaureenS* February 1, 2018 at 3:22 pm I knew it was coming, but didn’t know when. Thanks for the reminder, must go to Amazon & Audible now. I first found Tamora Pierce when I was in university – wish they’d been around when I was younger!
Becky* February 1, 2018 at 6:48 pm YES. I have it preordered and it will arrive on my Kindle next week. My friend pointed me to an Author event in my area for Tamora Pierce on Feb 10. :D I’m an adult, I don’t care I am GOING.
JessaB* February 1, 2018 at 10:55 pm Wait. What. Numair prequel? I’m FB friends with her how did I miss this?
AJCD* February 2, 2018 at 8:21 am Awesome! She’s one of my favorite characters in the Vimes storylines.
Delphine* February 1, 2018 at 12:45 pm I am in love with all of your pets, AAM readers. Although, I did recoil at the roaches, haha.
Matilda Jefferies* February 1, 2018 at 12:46 pm +1 on the best post ever! I love all the cats going “Yeah? What are you going to do about it?” Also sending love to Tino’s people, and I will definitely scritch my cats from you tonight. <3
Snark* February 1, 2018 at 1:21 pm +1. I will give tummy rubs tonight in Tino’s honor. Pets are the best.
Your Weird Uncle* February 1, 2018 at 1:35 pm It’s a hurt that never goes away, just decreases a little bit. Thinking of Tino’s people too and will definitely give snoogles and belly rubs to our fur babies in Tino’s honor when I get home from my non-cat office.
Samata* February 1, 2018 at 3:08 pm Isn’t this the truth? It’s been 5 years and I still miss my girl on the daily. This post really brightened my day – and because the internet is forever I can revisit!
LJL* February 1, 2018 at 1:41 pm Yes, I’m so sorry to hear about Tino. Will cuddle my 2 extra close in his memory.
zora* February 1, 2018 at 2:23 pm I’m so sorry about Tino, sending lots of love and thoughts. <3<3<3<3
Amadeo* February 1, 2018 at 12:52 pm Yes, it’s apparent that cats are the ones that tend to get in the way the most, isn’t it?
the gold digger* February 1, 2018 at 2:55 pm I am noticing a lot of Siamese cats. (She says as she tries to keep her Siamese from joining the meeting.)(“*LAVERNE* has joined the meeting.”)
Brittasaurus Rex* February 2, 2018 at 11:57 am Are they really getting in the way, or just establishing priorities?
Diego's Mummy* February 1, 2018 at 12:48 pm Diego is so pleased to be with such great company, including the cockroaches! My 10th grade science teacher kept hissing cockroaches in the lab and we always took them out during class and just had them roam around our hands and arms and desks during lectures.
heatherskib* February 1, 2018 at 12:50 pm George is mine. We also have a dog, but she’s much less of an intrusion when one is trying to work. Unless it’s the “Let me outside” stare down….
heatherskib* February 1, 2018 at 4:17 pm Although I just realized I could have sent pics of our Aussie Shepherd at work with my husband. She recently got sick and had to be on a specifically timed diet for a week, so she went to work with him every day. Now everyone wants her to come back and gets sad when she doesn’t go to work with him. But George and Lilly are so closely bonded that her being gone for a week made George sick.
alexa, set timer for ten minutes* February 1, 2018 at 4:48 pm Is George a male calico? Those are very rare!!
heatherskib* February 1, 2018 at 5:18 pm No. I replied with the story in another thread. Just search for me. :)
Bostonian* February 1, 2018 at 12:52 pm All of these pictures are AMAZING. Thanks for posting! I love the picture of Andy. My dad has a big desk like that, and uses a pull-out shelf for when his big Maine Coon wants attention.
Journalist* February 1, 2018 at 5:38 pm He isn’t a Maine Coon, but he’s still a big strapping fellow. At the time this photo was taken, he was probably 14-16 lbs, which takes up a lot of real estate on one’s desk.
Lady Blerd* February 1, 2018 at 12:52 pm I have questions about those roaches! I wish I had submitted pics of my cats stealing my spot on the couch when I was home on sick leave for a few weeks. Every. Single. Time I would get up, they would do this.
CatCat* February 1, 2018 at 12:52 pm Oh my heart, Jadzia looks like a twin of my little tortoiseshell kitty, Ruby, who passed away earlier this year. Sounds like they could have been personality twins too. Ruby had loads of tortietude!
JDusek* February 1, 2018 at 12:52 pm It’s interesting. I’ve been WFH for over 8 years and my cat only bugs me when my son comes home from school. My desk is too cluttered for her to get on it and she can’t climb up into my lap unless I allow it. She sleeps the day away in front of the heat vent and ignores the futon in my office.
Bostonian* February 1, 2018 at 1:04 pm Yup, my cats mostly ignore me, too. They sleep all day. Once in a blue moon, my orange tabby will try to commandeer my chair when I get up to go to the bathroom, because it is a prime sleep spot for him. But they never go on my desk.
Discordia Angel Jones* February 1, 2018 at 12:53 pm Love them all (except the roaches, that must be an acquired taste!). Makes me broody for the dog I’ve been hankering after since I moved to my new job and could potentially afford to have a pet.
k.k* February 1, 2018 at 12:56 pm All these adorable little jerks <3 I very much recognize those faces that say "Can I help you? This is my spot I don't know what you're talking about."
motherofdragons* February 1, 2018 at 12:58 pm This is so delightful. Can I just say, if I was on a video conference call with someone at home, and their pet cockatiel wandered onto their shoulder, I would be SO EXCITED!! That is awesome.
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 1:06 pm One of my coworkers works from home and has a pet bird who likes to announce her presence on conference calls. You can always tell if that coworker is on a call because you can hear the bird cheerfully whistling away in the background! I love it.
Coalea* February 1, 2018 at 2:35 pm Thank you! She’s a sweetie and generally not to0 disruptive to my work.
Brittasaurus Rex* February 2, 2018 at 12:01 pm She’s beautiful. It would cheer my heart to see her pop up on a call.
Admin 4 Life* February 1, 2018 at 1:01 pm You could totally make this a mini series! Today it’s pets, tomorrow small children! I swear my child is part cat; he likes to sit on my laptop too. Thank you for the smiles :)
ArtsNerd* February 1, 2018 at 1:01 pm GAH! WHY AM I IN THE OFFICE TODAY!? I am seriously considering leaving early to work from home just to get my some cat intrusion time.
AllDogsArePuppies* February 1, 2018 at 1:03 pm On the day of the post, I was thinking how lucky I am that my kitty lets me work most of the time without disturbing. Apparently cats can read minds because she climbed on my lap/laptop 5 times that day (instead of the usual 0-1)
SleepyTimeTay* February 1, 2018 at 1:04 pm Omg, I can’t handle the cuteness!! Saving this post for when I need a smile. And glad to know I’m not the only one with this happening!
Mimmy* February 1, 2018 at 1:06 pm Aww such cute pictures!! I could never work from home with a pet in the house, but I totally understand the companionship and relaxation these fur babies provide during a busy day :) My condolences to the person who’s cat passed away after posting their picture.
Just Peachy* February 1, 2018 at 1:08 pm I just love this post. Especially the dog pictures. :) Thanks for making our day a little brighter!
Amber Rose* February 1, 2018 at 1:09 pm I envy people who can take a picture of their cat being intrusive. My cat has disdain for sitting on anything merely near me. If he isn’t trying to physically merge with my face, he isn’t happy.
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 1:11 pm What kind of dog is Mr. Spock? With those ears, it’s the perfect name for him!!
Valkyrie* February 1, 2018 at 1:28 pm Thanks! He’s a Silky Terrier, and an absolute joy. He’s turned me into one of THOSE dog people…he has an instagram
Snark* February 1, 2018 at 1:11 pm I unfortunately lack pictures or video of this, but I have a collie named Maria. When she whimpers, she says “yoop” and “yeep.” This is our routine. Maria: Yoop. Snark: No. You were just outside. Go ‘way. Maria: Yoop yoop. Snark: No. Leave it. Maria: YOOP YOOP YEEEEEP. Snark: NO! Maria: YEEP YEEP *bangs me with paw.* YOOOP. *stares intently* Snark: LEAVE IT. GO AWAY. Maria: *stare that matches Death Star in intensity* Snark: This shit again. Maria: *stare with the intensity of 9,000,0000 suns* Snark: *effortfully ignores buggy dog* Maria: *nudges arm with cold nose, followed by slurp.* Yoop. *wag wag wag* Snark: *melts* Oh screw it. *lets Maria out to commune with rodents.* Repeat every 15 minutes all day.
Ella* February 1, 2018 at 1:17 pm Lol! Thank you for this. I have a dog that actually lives downstairs with my roommates. I wake up at 4am, before anyone else, and he comes upstairs and yoops to be let outside…and wakes up my roommates if I don’t respond promptly enough.
Snark* February 1, 2018 at 1:20 pm Yep. If I’m not opening the door no later than 5:15AM, a nose comes and finds me in the dark. *snuffle snuffle slurrrp*
fposte* February 1, 2018 at 1:31 pm Collie nose is no joke, man. The legs can be across the room and the nose can still reach you.
Snark* February 1, 2018 at 1:35 pm Sometimes we talk about Nose as if she’s a different creature than the rest of the dog. “I’m taking Maria and Nose for a hike, smell ya later.”
Red Reader* February 1, 2018 at 1:36 pm THAT’S WHAT IT IS. Snark, your storytelling reminds me of this death-by-hilarity-inducing post I’ve had bookmarked for like ten years. https://littera-abactor.livejournal.com/7748.html
Red Reader* February 1, 2018 at 2:26 pm My whole household will regularly vocalize for the bloodhound that “I was poorly brought up by people who starve me.” (The only food that will induce her to tip over the trash can and go digging is Brussels sprouts, of all damn things.)
Snark* February 1, 2018 at 5:08 pm The weird thing is, Maria is the least food-motivated dog I’ve ever met. She lives for ear scratchies and staring at squirrels. Food? Meh.
Samata* February 1, 2018 at 3:16 pm Crying. Uncontrollably. And now I have a cramp in my side. This is glorious. Thank you.
Murphy* February 1, 2018 at 4:17 pm OMG hilarious! This is nowhere near as funny, but it reminded me of my two dogs. The bigger one is generally very well-behaved. I accidentally left the back door open once and she just lied down near it, didn’t go anywhere. She suffers from “I must follow you around and generally be all up in your business all the time” but otherwise very good. The smaller one is not. He stole the bathmat when I was in the shower once. Another time I found him wearing one of my bras (around his waist, not properly or anything). Generally they don’t steal food, though they hang out nearby whenever food is happening. (Especially now that the baby gets food and she’s learned that she can share it with them.) If you undo any plastic wrap anywhere in the house, the smaller one comes running. My husband and I were eating dinner in the living room, with food set up on the coffee table. It included my husband’s attempt at sweet potato wedges/thick fries. They weren’t that great. We only ate a few. My husband started on the dishes in the kitchen. I brought our plates to the kitchen and then went back to collect the rest of the sweet potatoes. I was gone 10 seconds. The tray was on the floor. It was empty. The smaller dog was in the middle of grabbing the last one and the bigger one was nowhere to be found. I chastised the smaller one, but it wasn’t dangerous and it was already in his mouth, so I let him keep it. I called out my bigger dog’s name, because I figured my well-behaved girl couldn’t possibly have participated in this thievery. I found her hiding in the closet. I called her again, so she came out. And burped.
Red Reader* February 1, 2018 at 6:10 pm Oh dying. Before I had Alannah, Angua one night stole an entire pumpkin pie off the counter where it was cooling. I came back to find the pie tin laying on the kitchen floor, crust licked clean without so much as a tooth scratch in it, and every single scrap of the custard gone. And when she lived with toddlers, her favorite day ever was when the toddlers learned that they could shove the broccoli off their high chair trays through the little cup hole to feed her gaping maw below.
hermit crab* February 1, 2018 at 4:51 pm hahahahahahaha wow I am hysterically silent-laughing at my desk and the silent part is beginning to fail
bkanon* February 1, 2018 at 9:35 pm Oh, god, I thought it was going to be Dogs in Elk. But this is just as death-by-hilarity inducing.
SarahKay* February 2, 2018 at 2:24 pm Thank goodness the office is empty except for me. I laughed so much that I not only cried, but tears were actually dripping off my face. That is the funniest thing I have read for about ten years. Thank you so much for the link!
Rocketship* February 1, 2018 at 4:19 pm I have a very similar conversation with my cat Manny! Something along the lines of: Manny: Meyooow Rocketship: Oh? Manny: Meyowwww Rocketship: Is that so? Manny: Meyoowoow. Mow. Rocketship: I see. Manny: *stares* *tentatively grabs pant leg with claw* Mowow? Rocketship: Dude it’s 6 o’ clock, it’s not even close to dinner time. Manny: Meeeeyyaaaahhhhhhh! Rocketship: I know!! Do you need attenchums? Is that what this is? Manny: *jumps on back of couch, stares, arches his back until his tail twitches uncontrollably* Myeaaaaah! Myeaaaaooow! Rocketship: *pet pet pet* Manny: *purrs like a freight train, all is well with the world* Then his sister Wyo follows me into the kitchen and glares at me until I let her jump into the fridge. Pretty sure she thinks it’s Narnia in there.
Arya Parya* February 1, 2018 at 1:12 pm This is so adorable! Thank you for featuring my cat Arya. I blame my boyfriend for teaching her to do this. He thought it was a good idea to show YouTube video’s of birds. She loves them and now finds any screen (tv, computer, tablet) interesting. Luckily I did train her and her brother Hobbes not to walk on keyboards. Hobbes fortunately is not interested in screens, but will drop by every now and again for cuddles.
Snargulfuss* February 1, 2018 at 6:46 pm What is it that makes one cat riveted by things on screens and another not care one iota? The cat I had growing up didn’t seem to recognize herself in the mirror and was never interested in what was on TV. My current cat LOVES watching TV – even talky shows with not much motion. I’m convinced she completely understands the dialogue.
JS* February 1, 2018 at 1:13 pm Cuuuuuute! I learned a while ago that a nicely placed box beside a keyboard can be a welcoming place for a cat to sit, rather than *on* the keyboard!
Your Weird Uncle* February 1, 2018 at 1:48 pm We’re not so lucky – both of our cats have a thing for eating boxes. (Luckily they spit out the cardboard, but it’s messy and probably not very good for them!) They don’t do cat beds, either, the little weirdos!
Ella* February 1, 2018 at 2:13 pm tbh, i wondered the same, but it’s cute enough that i don’t mind either way.
Al Lo* February 1, 2018 at 2:16 pm That’s Oswin. She’s absolutely indifferent to her moment of internet fame. And when I posted that pic on Instagram, I also had friends who thought she was a stuffie.
NewBoss2016* February 1, 2018 at 1:14 pm Aww dang, I missed the call for pictures. I have a really great one of my cat Tyson eating a RFQ because I kicked him off of my keyboard. I also had to bring my 3 cats to the office with me a few weeks ago while I had a home inspection, and my boss texted me a picture of my kitten Ben trying to eat the office fish when I stepped out of the room. Love all your pictures! Also, my condolences to the reader who lost Tino. I lost my kitty Rocky this past May, and my coworkers got me a Willowtree angel holding a kitty for my office. It is still really hard to look at. I am sorry for your loss :(
DogG* February 1, 2018 at 1:14 pm The best office mate ever is a pit bull!!! Would love to hear everyone’s stories about their sweet office pitties :)
Mananana* February 1, 2018 at 1:14 pm Much love for Tino’s family. It’s so hard to lose a beloved member of the family; I hope that fond memories of your beautiful cat will comfort you through your grief.
Typhon Worker Bee* February 1, 2018 at 1:16 pm Awww, Arya looks just like the cat I had when I was a kid. Half wild (born on a farm to a feral mother), and most definitely NOT a cuddler, but we loved her anyway
Arya Parya* February 1, 2018 at 1:23 pm Awwww, wonderful that you loved her anyway. This Arya can be very cuddly, but also fierce.
Hey-eh* February 1, 2018 at 1:17 pm So cute!!! Love that a cockatiel was included! I have a parrotlet (imagine a parrot the size of a finch) and when I work from home it’s well known that I work with only one hand because the other hand is busy holding the little guy up to my face where he can snuggle and be warm. He also enjoys perching on my laptop and talking to my fingers (he likes the sound of typing).
Coalea* February 1, 2018 at 9:46 pm Owner of Lucy the cockatiel here! Parrotlets are so cute! I follow one or two on Instagram.
Not So NewReader* February 1, 2018 at 1:19 pm Oh, my. Such wonderful animals. Thanks for putting this together, Alison, it’s a really cool idea. I have a question for Digby’s Guardian. How old and what kind is s/he? There is way too much cuteness going on there.
mskyle* February 1, 2018 at 1:22 pm Haha, love this post. I don’t have any pets but sometimes in nice weather I work from the back yard, and if I bring a snack I tend to accumulate an entourage of squirrels on the table. It’s very hard to get a good photo of them though!
SuspectedDragon* February 1, 2018 at 1:23 pm I love these! Hate I missed the call – I’ve got a good pic of my rabbit trying to commandeer my laptop :-)
Former Employee* February 2, 2018 at 10:48 pm One of my all time favorite dogs is a maltipoo. He is the quietest, best behaved little creature. Never comes at anyone, but will sit by your side as a gentle little presence. He was rescued by our local shelter and adopted by someone I know.
Boop* February 1, 2018 at 1:27 pm I don’t work from home, but I have many, many, many pictures of my little kitten-pie “helping” me with jigsaw puzzles. He likes to lay in the box holding all the pieces while I’m trying to sort them.
Jen RO* February 1, 2018 at 1:59 pm I’m sure this will look familiar to you… https://imgur.com/a/64fHu
Stormy* February 1, 2018 at 1:27 pm I am working from home, and just enjoyed freaking my husband out with the photo of the cat on the sound board. Our cats aren’t even allowed on the floor of the house where he keeps his recording equipment.
nep* February 1, 2018 at 1:30 pm What a treat. I’m saving some for later — want to savour. Oh, Tino’s companion. Thanks for that beautiful post. The kitty mixing tracks. And slacker Digby. So many great posts. Thanks for sending, all. And thanks, Alison.
MechanicalPencil* February 1, 2018 at 1:31 pm The timing on this is impeccable since I’m working from home today. Ironically, I just snapped a photo of one of my creatures being a bit of a pest while I was trying to work. ALL THE BABIES.
KR* February 1, 2018 at 1:32 pm I just realized I have so many pictures of my Jerry boy at work with me – I thought the post was specifically for animals on desks. Oh well! Love all these and so sorry to hear about Tino. I will be hugging and kissing my fur children at home today.
LeRainDrop* February 1, 2018 at 1:32 pm Fabulous post! I especially laughed at the comment, “Sometimes I even give them papers I no longer need so they can lie down on them instead of the ones still in use.” I use decoy papers for my kitties when I work from home, too!
Kit(ty) Marlowe* February 1, 2018 at 2:12 pm That’s my cat, Milton! Decoy papers are definitely a great trick. Though sometimes not-in-use papers just aren’t quite as comfy to lie on as in-use papers, apparently…
Trig* February 1, 2018 at 2:24 pm My dog is my shredder. I give her that mail that isn’t sensitive enough to need secure shredding, but should still be shredded somewhat. She tears it to bits, leaves it scattered all over the carpet, and looks at me like she wants more.
periwinkle* February 1, 2018 at 3:15 pm I’ve tried doing that. Nope. They know. Adorable little jerks.
fposte* February 1, 2018 at 1:33 pm These are so wonderful; I am especially enjoying the names. My personal favorite name is Ramona Quimby, Age Cat.
Close Bracket* February 1, 2018 at 1:43 pm I have a mostly foolproof way of keeping my cat off my lap and out of my way while I work: I put a pillow down in a corner and put a heating pad on top. She sleeps the day away on it. When she wants a treat, though, she bugs the heck out of me, climbing up on my desk and standing on the keyboard tray.
chocolate tort* February 1, 2018 at 1:44 pm OMG, my cat (the job-stealing Lexi) has started doing the same thing as Moo up there! From the desk she puts her front paws on my shoulder, boosts herself up my chest, walks along the back of the chair, and then stumbles down my other shoulder/side of my chest. When she keeps her balance and I have a sweater/sweatshirt on it’s fine, but things can get dicey when she loses her balance or just when I’m wearing a lower top. This is a new trick and I’m still not sure whether it’s more endearing/funny or annoying!
EddieSherbert* February 1, 2018 at 2:00 pm I own the dog and cat bed hogs (Thomas and Tito) – having my office double as a guest bedroom has been helpful because they aren’t allowed on my bed, so I imagine they feel like rebels laying on the guest bed… The dog really does love sitting in the cat tree, but I almost never can get a good pic of it! He’s so odd!
Miss Mary M* February 1, 2018 at 2:03 pm I think this is my favorite AAM posting ever!!! My condolences to Tino’s human; thank you for sharing your sweet kitty with us. I am so sorry for your loss. Such a sweetheart, as are all the beloved pets here.
Kelly S.* February 1, 2018 at 2:05 pm I *love* these photos! I finally got fed up with trying to balance my shih tzu/yorkie mix on my lap while I work (I need to use 1 hand to hold her in place) and ordered one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Lap-Cozy-small-dogs-other/dp/B01LDL6PUS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517511746&sr=8-3&keywords=Lap+cozy
Trig* February 1, 2018 at 2:22 pm Haha, oh man, my cat would love one of those! I use a blanket to fend off her claws, but it gets toasty in the summer!
Kit(ty) Marlowe* February 1, 2018 at 2:05 pm I have a white cat named Marlowe, too! (And his brother is named Milton)
Enya* February 1, 2018 at 2:06 pm I loved them all! Bertie plotting to take over the world was too cute!
ArtK* February 1, 2018 at 2:07 pm Great pictures. I’m sorry that I missed the original post, because I’m here reading this one with a cat draped across my chest and shoulder. Yes, it’s very uncomfortable, but she grabbed the arm of the chair, hauled herself into my lap and then settled in and is now purring quite happily. How could I refuse?
ZSD* February 1, 2018 at 2:07 pm The luxurious cat tail reminds me of the sensual wrist cover letter.
Annie Moose* February 1, 2018 at 2:08 pm I should’ve submitted a pic I took this summer of me working from my parents’ back deck… with their chickens coming up to see what I was working on! They’re sweet girls and I couldn’t resist stopping every once in awhile to sneak them snacks and pet them. I don’t have any pets myself, so it’s just when I’m at their house that it’s a problem! If you ever get a chance to snuggle a hen, by the way, do it. They are soft and smooth and very cuddly if they’re the friendly type. Even if they do like to peck at freckles.
Cheesesticks and Pretzels* February 1, 2018 at 2:19 pm Thank you for including Bob. :) He is a horrible pen thief and will steal all of my pens.
Trig* February 1, 2018 at 2:20 pm Aww, what a fun post! My cat likes to sit on my lap and knead my thighs. I oblige her by putting a blanket there to protect myself from her claws. She can be very insistent, but at least she’s happy on my lap and doesn’t get up on the keyboard. My dog has learned that when I stretch, it means I’m about to take a break and OMG TIME TO PLAAAAAY. And when my computer makes its little *ding* shutdown noise, it’s TIME FOR A WALK! Either of these things will jolt her out of a dead sleep. If I stretch and then resume working (rude!), her nose is there, under my hand, nudging it off of the keyboard, and her hopeful little face is staring up at me, while her tail wags obligingly. It is my fault, because I can’t resist that, so I’ve basically trained her to do it.
Tino's Human* February 1, 2018 at 2:21 pm Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful comments about our kitty Tino – very much appreciated :)
heatherskib* February 1, 2018 at 4:02 pm I lost my sweet elderly dog Tino a few years ago. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’m glad that Tino had your love for as long as he did.
Erin* February 1, 2018 at 2:24 pm I love this so much. I really, really wanted to submit a photo but my cat actually does leave me alone when I work from home. I searched through hundreds of cat photos to see if maybe she got on the keyboard at some point that I’d forgotten about, haha.
Headachey* February 1, 2018 at 2:29 pm I see a couple of piebald kitties with maekings like my Frankie J. Cat – so cute! And I have a question about George the calico kitty – is George a boy? If so, then you have a special kitty! One of my favorite books is “Cats Are Not Peas,” investigating how the author’s male calico is genetically possible.
heatherskib* February 1, 2018 at 3:57 pm George is not a boy. We bought a house in a neighborhood where a former neighbor had gone into foreclosure. SHe had several unspayed female cats and set them all loose. As we were rehoming the 4 litters of kittens, this one made her way into our affections. My husband asked if we were going to rehome the sweet tortoiseshell. I asked him if he wanted to “squeeze her and love her and call her George.” He said yes. We have a female cat named George. Ironically enough, our new Brother in Law also has a female cat named George. Same story.
Headachey* February 1, 2018 at 5:01 pm Props to you for rehoming four litters – wow! I’m impressed that you escaped with just one :) And love the name origin, too.
TheNotoriousMCG* February 2, 2018 at 8:35 am I have a female dog named George! Although mine was a subterfuge against my husband who said no more Pride and Prejudice names for pets. Little did he know about Lady Georgianna Darcy
Sam Yao* February 1, 2018 at 2:30 pm I’m delighted that I’m not the only one who likes to give long elaborate names and titles to my completely ordinary house pets.
Red Reader* February 1, 2018 at 3:41 pm They are excellent, aren’t they? My husband’s cats (who are not permitted in my office, but love to help him in his) are Captain Kyna Whitepaws, SCOURGE OF LAND AND SEA – she only has one eye, zero brain cells and is totally fearless, though she regularly loses fights with her paws, the floor, and a catnip pickle – and her sister Princess Kiara Scaredyfluff. One of my Christmas gifts was a story about Angua Bloodhound and Alannah Whippet teaming up with Captain Kyna and her trusty first mate to get back all the Christmas presents stolen from the puppies and kittens at the orphanage. (They all have D&D-esque character sheets from a RPG called Pugmire. Mine is a houseful of gaming nerds.)
Former Employee* February 2, 2018 at 11:10 pm This is so adorable and I have zero to do with D&D, other than that one of my favorite episodes of TBBT is the one in which Howard took over as Dungeon Master and totally ruled!
Philly Redhead* February 1, 2018 at 2:33 pm I love this post! My 65-pound pit bull loves to sit in my lap, directly between my face and my computer screen when I work remotely.
OlympiasEpiriot* February 1, 2018 at 2:53 pm Ya know, I’m convinced the large NY waterbug type of cockroach has personhood. I have seen them stop and >regard< me all too often. I get the feeling I should introduce myself to them. I don't want them in my home, but, they are individuals, I think.
Mikasa Ackerman* February 1, 2018 at 3:00 pm I have a mild phobia of cats. (Ironic because I own 3 pitbulls). I love to look at them in pictures and what not. I think they are adorable and fluffy. However, if I am in the same room as a cat, I get bad anxiety. If I’m sitting down and one approaches, I jump/run. Maybe because I was scratched as a kid? Not sure. Does anyone have any tips on how to be friends with cats when you’re scared?
EddieSherbert* February 1, 2018 at 3:47 pm You should check out Jackson Galaxy, Animal Planet’s “Cat Daddy” and some of his advice! I’ll post a link.
EddieSherbert* February 1, 2018 at 3:48 pm Here’s Jackson working with a guy who’s afraid of cats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivZ0shVrjfQ
Mikasa* February 2, 2018 at 1:11 am Aww! I use to watch him on Animal Planet all the time! Brings back memories! The guy in the video reminds me of myself.
fposte* February 1, 2018 at 3:59 pm Former only-dog person now a cat lover here. What made a huge difference to me was knowing some “doggier” cats and then learning a lot more about cat behavior so that what they did made sense to me.
Mikasa* February 2, 2018 at 1:22 am Yes, I need a “doggier” cat! Or maybe raise a cat from kittenhood?
Sylvan* February 1, 2018 at 5:30 pm If ignoring a cat is easier for you than interacting with one, most of them are fine with a visitor to their people’s home doing that. They read that as “relaxed, safe human.”
Mikasa* February 2, 2018 at 1:21 am It’s difficult. I’m trying to win the affections of my bf’s cat, but she hates me! I was laying in the bed and I finally got the courage to pet her. She was purring so cutely. And then I realized… if I stop she’ll attack me. So I kept petting her, BUT then I think I overstimulated her because she stopped purring mid-pet and dug her claws in my shoulder. Bf woke up to me saying, “OW OW OW” and had to pry her off. Aaand then I was back to square one with battling the fear.
EddieSherbert* February 5, 2018 at 10:17 am She’s farrrrrr less likely to ‘attack’ you for stopping petting her than overstimulating her :) More Jackson on that one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si-yk1KxYX0
SL #2* February 1, 2018 at 3:04 pm I ADORE ALL ANIMALS NAMED AFTER FOOD THEREFORE CHEDDAR IS MY FAVORITE
Lady Russell's Turban* February 1, 2018 at 3:17 pm Loved the peek of Bev the papillon! We’re not allowed dogs in the office but when I need to work on the weekend I will sneak my little guy in.
periwinkle* February 1, 2018 at 3:22 pm Brigette would say thanks for her moment of fame, except that would be expressing a positive emotion. She only ever “helps” when I’m working on school stuff, oddly enough. On my WFH days, she snoozes elsewhere and never comes near the office. Two of our other cats are WFH-interruption specialists; one hones in on the headset whenever I’m logging into a conference call, but both are skilled at standing (for full-body blockage) in front of the monitor. In fact, I had to pause in the middle of writing this so I could shoo one of them out of the way.
Pathfinder Ryder* February 1, 2018 at 3:32 pm This post was such a gift on a slow Friday morning. How about a post of service animals in your workplace? From people who went and got their dogs to people whose job it is to train them to, well, I’m mostly suggesting this because the hospital ward I work on gets visits from a service dog to cheer up patients and sometimes he skateboards down the hall.
fposte* February 1, 2018 at 3:55 pm The nomenclature is seriously confusing, but it sounds like what the ward has isn’t a service dog but a therapy dog.
Pathfinder Ryder* February 1, 2018 at 4:32 pm Ah yep, that makes sense from a quick Google – a post for working animals, then.
zora* February 1, 2018 at 3:33 pm Ok, this is even more weird, because as soon as I read this post, I went to check my Instagram, and the first two pics in my feed were CATS AND KEYBOARDS!!!!!!! WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING???? https://instagram.com/p/BeqpInGlIGy/ https://instagram.com/p/BeqrYhYHDov/ I am NOT complaining, I will take kitty pictures any time any place
Espeon* February 1, 2018 at 3:53 pm All these precious little souls! I have hearts in my eyes. Thanks for sharing everyone.
The Other Dawn* February 1, 2018 at 3:53 pm I notice how a majority of the pictures are of cats. I’m thinking it’s because they have more of a tendency to take over. I wish I’d seen the call for pictures! Since I have 11 cats, I have a lot of cats-on-computers pictures.
Elizabeth H.* February 1, 2018 at 4:17 pm These are SO WONDERFUL! And there are so many of them! I just kept scrolling thinking “ok, that must be it!” And they are all so adorable. I wish I had sent in my picture of the cat I live with helping me work from home, but we were both sitting on my bed so I didn’t think it qualified as a home office. (Helping me work from home: https://imgur.com/7yUTrwv ) She does also like to sit on the ironing board which I use as a standing desk (lion pose: https://imgur.com/ch6Halo)
molliekay* February 1, 2018 at 5:42 pm So many cute cats and dogs. And then the roaches. You need to have a trigger warning or something (partly kidding).
saminrva* February 1, 2018 at 5:52 pm Best post ever! I can’t believe I forgot about this on the post where the person was asking for work-from-home cat advice — we had a cat (RIP) who LOVED to sit on the top of our keyboard and push all the F keys while we were working, so my brilliant spouse made a little perch for him out of cardboard and coathangers that fit over the keyboard so you could still type while he was sitting there. I think we could probably patent and sell those!
Espeon* February 2, 2018 at 8:28 am Oh my goodness, my cat bides her time then makes a mad dash over the F keys and manages to turn my mouse-touchpad connection off every. single. time. I’m thinking of sending her to work in IT and pay her way with skills like that.
Julianne* February 1, 2018 at 7:12 pm These are great! Reminds me of my cat in Peace Corps (I’m a dog person, but the cat had been adopted by my PCV predecessor’s predecessor and thought he owned the house), who used to nap on top of stacks of student work I brought home to grade. No matter where I set myself up in the house, he would come curl up on piles of English essays, and he really only had any interest in me when I was working.
This Daydreamer* February 1, 2018 at 7:14 pm As, I missed the call for pictures. I had a cat who literally invaded my not-at-home workplace. She was a stray who was desperate for love, food, and shelter. Unfortunately, she picked the wrong kind of shelter – a domestic violence shelter with a few residents who were seriously allergic to her. I worked the night after she arrived and she trapped me good and well. I had no real choice and was forced to take her home. We had her for a wonderful year until she succumbed to feline leukemia virus. I still miss her, but I’m grateful she adopted me.
Monica Green* February 1, 2018 at 8:45 pm Have you ever done a post about pets AT the workplace? My dog comes to work every day with me!
Arconcyl* February 2, 2018 at 12:59 am What adorable pets! I wish my office let me bring my dog to work or that I could work from home for my day job instead of my freelance job. @whomever owns Link – is that a Maltese? My dog is a Maltese and he loves to lie on my lap while I’m working! @whomever owns Frankie – that dog is TOO CUTE, please snozzle him from me.
ThatGirl* February 2, 2018 at 11:05 am Hi Arconcyl, He’s a maltese-poodle mix, we believe. (Shelter rescue.) Definitely looks a ton like a maltese but a little bigger and curlier. Ain’t he adorable? :)
ThatGirl* February 2, 2018 at 11:06 am oh my goodness, my work mode is creeping in here, I am so used to addressing people when I reply. :::sigh:::
Looby* February 2, 2018 at 1:34 am This was an especially horrible work day so I can’t tell you how much this post has improved my evening! Thank you to all who shared their furry assistants with us.
Casual Fribsday* February 2, 2018 at 9:06 am “Ramona Quimby Age Cat” I will never be able to name an animal greater than that. Well done.
Lily Rowan* February 2, 2018 at 12:06 pm This is the best post ever. Thank you, Alison and everyone!!
bohtie* February 2, 2018 at 12:27 pm confession time: my favorites are the non-dogs-or-cats (which is funny because I am definitely a dog person). The cockatiel made me cackle.
Brittasaurus Rex* February 2, 2018 at 12:54 pm Ok, why do dog people always say that? I don’t know any cat people who go out of their way to say how much they prefer cats.
Former Employee* February 2, 2018 at 11:19 pm I love the pictures*, but can’t have any animals for various reasons. So, I donate to my local no-kill shelter and to various rescue groups and organizations that are working to save animals who are endangered due to hunting, poaching, environmental issues, etc. *I had to ignore that last group of creatures; I can’t even stand to type out what they are (shudder).