v-Fluence Blog

Balancing Work and a Persistent Puppy

My Pug : Noah

Getting a puppy was something that I wanted to do for several years. I needed a companion at home.

So, in the spring of last year when some extra money unexpectedly came my way, I decided that it was time to adopt a puppy. While researching the kind of dog I should adopt, my co-worker Kristina encouraged me to get a Pug. She and her partner love their Pug, MJ.

The first thing I read about the breed was that they have great personalities and are "entertainers." I was sold. I love to laugh and if my dog can help make me smile, I'm all for it. So I found a local Pug breeder and in mid-April brought home my 6 ½-week-old puppy, who now answers to the name Noah (most days).

Any dog parent can tell you that a puppy is a lot of work, but I figured that I could handle it. In fact, I thought it would be easier-for him because I'm usually working in my home office and for me because I wouldn't feel guilty leaving him alone for 8 or more hours each day Monday through Friday.

Boy, was I wrong!

I love my dog and wouldn't trade him for anything. But, just as Katherine has noted the challenges of working with a toddler, Noah can be a handful:

• He likes to climb up in the window and bark at anything that moves, a special challenge during conference calls with co-workers.
• He gets into EVERYTHING, and likes to run around with what he finds.
• In his teething days he would chew on the wall, couch, chairs-anything he could get his teeth on. (Tip: Bitter Apple Spray works wonders!)
• He's persistent about wanting me to play. They say pugs have charm, and Noah knows how to use it.
• He wants to go outside often, and wants me to stay out, too.

I'm thankful that v-Fluence's flexible work environment allows me to manage some of the challenges Noah creates. He recently had an infection on his back and I was able to take him to the vet during work hours without a problem. It's also much easier to schedule times to take him to get his shots.

I'm glad Noah's around. It's nice to take a walk with him (when it's warm, of course) on my lunch break or when I just need a quick minute to get away and think.

Noah and I definitely still have our days where he thinks playing tug-of-war is way more important than any of my v-Fluence work. But we are learning to peacefully co-exist. Sometimes I give a little and let him bark at the mail carrier, as long as I'm not on the phone. In turn, he takes a nap during my weekly conference calls.

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