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Taz makes the rounds at work

Reporter celebrates "Take Your Dog to Work Day" by crossing her fingers before bringing in her beloved pet.

Date published: 6/27/2003

By LISA CHINN

"TAKE YOUR DOG to Work Day" could have gone one of two ways.

Taz, our 90-pound-plus chocolate Labrador retriever could lie by my desk in the demure pose the doggie day creators dream of. The one that tempts non-dog-owners to rush out and adopt such easygoing pets for themselves.

Or Taz could be Taz. He could bark, drool and chew his way right out of a job--my job.

The good news? I'm still employed--at least as of press time.

But I found a bit of both worlds during last Friday's fifth annual canine celebration, created by Pet Sitters International.

I knew it would be a cinch to rouse Taz for work in the morning. He's always up and wagging way before me.

Feeding him breakfast would be a snap, what with his knack for scarfing down a bowlful of kibbles in five seconds flat.

And getting him in the car is never a problem. Car rides are as alluring to our dogs as candy is to kids.

So, with Taz fed and dressed in the handsome "Take Your Dog to Work Day" bandana that came in the PSI press kit, and with my fingers (and everything else) crossed, we were off.

The moment we sauntered through the wide front doors of The Free Lance-Star, Taz the dog began transforming himself into another type of animal altogether. He was becoming a bona fide attention hog before my eyes, milking his adorability for all it was worth.

The ladies in the lobby, the newsroom receptionist, the folks across the hall in advertising--everyone wanted to give him a pat.

The woman at the paper's front desk fawned all over him, even wiping away the goo that dotted the corners of his eyes. You know a person is a true dog lover when they're not afraid to touch that gunk with their bare hands.

And did Taz ever make himself at home!

He lapped up a bowl of water a co-worker gave him, gobbled down a bag of doggie treats my editor brought in and climbed right up on my desk mate's lap as if he were as light as a French poodle.

Good thing she likes Labs.

Good thing my desk is in a corner.

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Date published: 6/27/2003