Remote work and a little dog named Buttons

- THIS BLOG IS NEW AND A WORK IN PROGRESS -

I included a photo of my little guy Buttons. Best friend and “baby” for 15 years; he passed away in 2022. Much changed in my life when at 11 months old, he burrowed his way into my heart while my sister was fostering him for a family that couldn’t/didn’t have time to care for him properly. He was healthy, but lonely, sort of weird, and was in dire need of learning some manners. I’m not sure he ever was really much of a “dog”, but more of a cat/5-year-old human. The cat part was likely my fault, I had always had cats, my entire life, but dogs were occasional and ephemeral in our home growing up, They came from unusual places (I honestly don’t know where my dad got them… but my dad’s big heart suggests private rescues), they had bizarre habits, and they never lasted long. My parents were responsible about rehoming the dogs; I guess we just weren’t a “dog” household and back then, pet ownership was different. All that is to say, I knew how to raise a cat, but definitely not a dog. So many times I wanted to throw up my hands in frustration and defeat, but as I mentioned, he was burrowed into my heart. I yelled, but we always made up quickly. Sometimes when my patience was low, he’d go spend the day with his auntie and his best friend Coconut. I showed him respect and would talk to him like I would a (mute?) child, with a running one-sided conversation all through the day, all through our walks, etc. and he learned quickly. Eventually, our bond was so great, he could be 50+ yards away and be planning a trip down a path I didn’t want him to take, when he’d look to me to get my opinion, and all it would take is a minor sound of doubt and he’d turn around and come back. A dog is a great tool to “get you out of yourself” but you have to be prepared for a life partner that mentally never gets much past a 5-year-old. I happen to like 5-year-olds, and dogs, though they both require a big time commitment. But they’re both worth it. I have been blessed to be a home-based worker for over 20 years, and even while there are pitfalls to not physically being in an office with co-workers (which are fading with new technology), being home-based definitely paid huge dividends in dog parenting, as well as productivity, focus, output, and other areas. More blog to come, as I get the time. Thanks for reading, click over to the Contact page to get in touch, and cheers!