Hey, it's Take Your Dog's Picture, Bring it to Work Day

I'll admit it: I didn't really think it'd be a good idea to observe "Take Your Dog to Work Day" at the Daily Herald today.

When I was asking people in other offices for information to round out Jake Griffin's story about the Day in Thursday's paper, I casually opined that we'd likely not be observing the occasion.

A few people opined back: That's a shame. So what the heck, I thought, I'll ask. I ran it up the corporate ladder, and got this reply:

"As a dog owner and lover myself, I would enjoy a day when our offices would be full of dogs. However, my concern would be that it would be distracting, not unlike when a new parent stops in the office with the new baby. All work ceases for several minutes. If we each brought our dogs to work, I would be concerned about:

• seriously reduced productivity from the dog lovers

• annoyance from the animal haters

• workers compensation or Americans with Disability Act claims from those who are allergic to animals, as well as petulance from the cat lovers who will be saying "OK, when can we bring our precious kitties to work?"

Signed, Director of HR"

More Coverage Slideshows Daily Herald staff dogs

Again, no surprise, but in my never-ending quest as a newsroom leader to pump up morale, have some fun and provide myself with some column fodder, I did get Director of HR to sign off on a special day I just invented:

Take Your Dog's Picture, Bring it to Work Day.

I invited the staff to send me photos of their dogs, or any pets for that matter, with an accompanying mini-essay on why Take Your Dog to Work Day should be observed at the Daily Herald. Being an even-handed boss, I invited employees to send a few words on why this wouldn't be a good idea. The winning entry would get a mention and their pet's photo in this column. Who could ask for more?

And, the winner is #8230;

Leslie Hague, a reporter in our Elgin office. She submitted a photo of Moxie, with this compelling plea:

"I think a Take Your Dog to Work Day would be excellent for office morale. Look at this face and not smile, I dare you."

Cathi Edman, who reports the news from this office in Lisle, describes herself as a "proud mom of three Old English Sheepdogs." And while her mini-essay pleads the case for having a dogs-at-work day, the photo of the youngest, Dempsey, tells us otherwise. The shot you see here shows him after he ransacked Cathi's sofa.

I guess the dissent might be fairly obvious, but I liked reporter Susan Sarkauskas' take on this: "I'd feel sorry for the dogs. Wouldn't it make for a boring day for them, lying around a fluorescent-lit office? And these floors are awfully hard, unlike the nice sofas they are resting on at home while their owners are off earning their kibble."

But I did promise the staff that everyone who got me a photo by noon Thursday would be included in the pet display I posted on the bulletin board in the newsroom.

Ah, but how to share such joy with the other offices and you, gentle reader? That's where that Internet thing comes in again. If you're not already there, just go to dailyherald.com and click on the slide show button next to this column for a look at all the pets.