As 2020 continues to look back upon 2019 and laugh maniacally at how innocent we all were, many people are working from home for the first time and discovering all the ways it is great and also challenging.
From awkward video calls, to staying productive without supervision, to whether you should or should not stay in your pjs — loungewear was made for this, IMHO — remote work has a ton of new variables.
And then there are your pets.
Exhibits A and B are my own pups, who are like every irritating co-worker who has never learned professional boundaries.
They help themselves to my coffee, constantly interrupt me mid-task, and there is so much slobber on my laptop screen that I don't even notice it anymore.
But god, they're cute.
Downside: sharing your workspace with coworkers who have no respect for the idea of "social distancing".
The first few days will be particularly hard as you get used to a new routine and your pets don't quite understand yet.
They might be very suspicious of why you're always around, preventing them from engaging in their usual daily routine.
Get used to typing one-handed, because the other one will be busy petting your cat.
Now that their humans are home during the day, your animals will quickly make it clear that you're in their office now.
Every time I get up to go to the bathroom or stretch my legs, one or the other of my boys steal my spot.
On one hand, it's great to have complete control over the coffee pot.
But you may discover that your pet has a taste for it. It's cute, but stop them quick, because caffeinated pets are a whole new adventure.
Your pet will have three modes: begging for pets, napping, or wanting you to throw a toy. Over and over and over again.
"Are you sure you want to send that e-mail? It sounds a bit passive aggressive. Needs more treats."
Somehow, the mailman always comes when I'm in a conference call.
Did my mail already arrive by the time of the meeting? Doesn't matter. Magically, I will have more mail and my dogs will freak out.
Give it a week and you'll have mastered the art of typing at a weird angle due to your dominant hand being bent over the butt of your dog.
I'm going to assume the laptop was placed on the ground for the photo op and this person isn't actually working on the floor. My back hurts just thinking about that.
