Work Happiness Has Four Legs
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
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Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Chrissy Scivicque of Eat Your Career.
About a month ago, I was out walking my dog (a 15-pound golden yorkie-poodle mix named Mollie) and, from a neighbor’s house a large, black pit bull came bounding out at us. Without any hesitation, the dog attacked. All I could hear were the cries coming from Mollie as she tried frantically to get away. Thankfully, her collar was just loose enough that, in that moment of pure terror, she was able to squeeze her head out and run. That beast of a dog chased her a few streets and then gave up. After running back home, I found Mollie, God love her, waiting for me on our front porch—a little torn up, a lot scared, but 100% alive.
I’m very fortunate; I haven’t experienced much in the way of trauma. This was, by far, the most terrifying event of my life. At some point during all the commotion, I became convinced that I she was going to die and for a split second, I imagined my life without Mollie. That, my friends, was the scariest part.
Life without pets? No thank you. I’m a huge animal lover (I also have two cats) and Mollie is my best friend. I’m not ashamed to admit it. As someone who has experienced sporadic periods of mild depression throughout life, I adopted Mollie after a friend convinced me that a dog was the perfect remedy for a blue mood. After two years as a dog owner, I can safely report: It’s absolutely true.
The reason I’m sharing this here with you fine readers of Work Happy Now is because Mollie has gotten me through some extremely rough times at work. It might sound odd, but her presence in my home life helped improve my work life. Here’s how:
The Welcome Wagon
It’s true what they say about dogs—they are truly the most loyal creatures in the world. It used to be hard to come home after a stressful day at work to a quiet house. I would sit around and stew about all the things that made me upset, all the work I didn’t accomplish, the things I’d like to say to my boss. It was very negative and non-productive.
Now, I’m greeted by pure, unadulterated joy. Mollie jumps up on her hind legs and does a little dance every time I walk in the door. In that instant, the worries of my day at work fade away. No one could watch her bounce around like that and hold on to a bad mood.
Instant Social Bond
I don’t have kids so, at times, I felt a little left out of conversations with my co-workers. Now, everyone wants to hear stories about Mollie. I found that an instant bond happened with those who also have dogs. My social life at work has dramatically improved—an unexpected benefit of dog-ownership.
Walking, the Outdoors, and Thinking
Owning a dog requires a pretty serious commitment to exercise. I didn’t realize at first how much time I would spend outside with Mollie, walking and playing. And I didn’t realize how great that would be for my mental attitude. Like most dog owners, I make sure Mollie gets a minimum of two walks a day—one in the morning and one at night. During the morning walk, I’m able to mentally prepare for my workday. I think about all of the positive things I will accomplish. During the evening walk, I’m able to decompress, think about my victories and clear away any residual negativity.
Fresh air and exercise are two of the most powerful things for creating a positive mental attitude. Owning a dog ensures you get plenty of both.
Ultimately, the pit bull attack was awful, but we all survived. Mollie’s wounds are healing and she’s back to her old chipper self. For those of you animal lovers, you can see a few pictures of her on my blog’s “about me” page (just scroll down the page a bit). And, if you’re the kind of person who experiences intermittent blue patches or needs some help leaving the stress of work at the office, consider adopting a pet from your local shelter.
Bio: Chrissy Scivicque is a writer, nutritionist and career coach. She trains others to manage their career path with a holistic point-of-view. You can find her at EatYourCareer.com, a blog dedicated to helping you create a nourishing professional life.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chrissy Scivicque, Gordon Milton. Gordon Milton said: Work Happiness Has Four Legs | Work Happy Now! http://bit.ly/dntw0Y [...]
LOVE this post. Just shared it on Twitter!
This is a BEAUTIFUL post!!
I love the “fresh air” quality to it. YES!!!
I guess I really relate to it strongly because I too love the outdoors and fresh air. Although I don’t yet have a dog friend, I have to spend SOME time outdoors each day. It changes my whole emotional and mental state and refreshes me. It also diminishes worries; nothing seems so drastic anymore. Being outdoors makes life feel “possible” again, like I can do ANYTHING, be ANYTHING, and that all is well.
Beautiful post.
With much gratitude from a kindred spirit,
Robin
Thanks for sharing! Glad you liked it…I just found you on Twitter and am following now. Obviously, you’ve got great taste
Hi Chrissy,
I think we could have work peace and happiness and world peace and happiness if everyone had a friend like yours. I think you should enter this in dog magazines and blogs every where. Thanks Karl for a very dear post!
Really happy that Molly is okay. It’s frightening when any dog attacks. That dog’s owner shouldn’t have put him in that situation.
I feel the same way that you do about my dog. She’s a pit bull named Olive. She offers me and my clients unconditional love and affection.
She was just attacked at the dog park by a standard poodle this morning. It was very scary. I’m happy that she’s okay too, just a little shook up.
People need to not put their dogs into situations that the dogs can’t handle. Nice dogs should be able to go down the street or to the dog park without risk of injury or death, regardless of breed.
Loved this article. Great writing and wonderful personal insight. We can all benefit from pets. The need to be needed is very strong and it puts everything into perspective to be faced with that unconditional love on a daily basis. Mollie is a very fortunate puppy to have such a devoted caretaker.
Isn’t it amazing how animals warm the heart of pretty much everyone?! Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and kind words.
@Bridget – Oh my gosh. So horrible! Yes, so true that dog owners have to be responsible. It seems like everyone who has a do has a dog attack story. It’s so upsetting. For many of us, dogs are like our children. And, as you said, it doesn’t matter what the breed. Everyone should be cautious, know their dog’s behaviors and potential triggers and know how to deal with them. I’m glad Olive is okay too!
Hi Chrissy
That is an adorable story… yes scary, but I am looking at the love and bond between you and Mollie. Pets – and animals in general are just precious, precious creatures – there is definitely no lack of love within me for them.
And I agree so much with what you have shared, they brighten up the world, our lives and remind us what unconditional love really is all about.
Thank you for sharing this here!
Thanks for the comment, Evita…Yes, that bond between Mollie and I is very, very strong. And, scary as this situation was, I think it actually made us closer. She realized that I would always be there. After she ran home (which was SO SMART!) and she saw me run up, she had a look on her face that said, “Mom!” It broke my heart. We can’t protect our kids/pets from the big bad world all the time. But we can certainly be there to help them recover. *sniff sniff* I’m gettin’ all emotional again!!