TODAY'S THE DAY: TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK!

Lots of fun today when The Top Dog and Phoenix FOX10's Corey McCloskey visited one of the Phoenix companies celebrating "Take Your Dog To Work" Day! Really gave the phrase 'working your tail off' a whole new meaning!

Andrea Norman, president of marketing company Mind The Gap, had her 2-legged team members bring their 4-legged friends Lacey, Chalupa, Angel and Tracey. She acknowledged that having the furry ones at the office created a more congenial and creative environment (ideal for a marketing company... or ANY company for that matter!).

Just a reminder that one of the main reasons that Petsitters International created "Take Your Dog To Work" Day was to encourage pet adoptions. Please considering opening your heart and home to an animal (or two or three!) who needs a "woof" over its head through one of the rescue organizations in your community. There are over a hundred such groups in the Phoenix area alone; visit PACC911 for a listing of their purebred and mixed breed welfare partners. For those of you outside this area, Google the terms

• 'adoption' or 'rescue'
• 'dog' or 'Golden Retriever', 'Jack Russell', 'Poodle', etc.
• and your city

Petfinder is another great online resource, as is a trip to your local shelter.

Okay, closing thought... you don't have to wait until next June's "Take Your Dog To Work" Day to enjoy all the benefits that this annual event brings. Get the tennis ball rolling by planting the seeds now for quarterly, monthly, or even weekly opportunities to spread the word about the joys of pet ownership throughout your company!

Take Your Dog To Work... REALLY!

For any of you who have ever used the "my dog ate my report" excuse with your boss... it's time to bring the canine culprit in to face the music! Friday June 26 marks the nation's 11th Annual "Take Your Dog To Work" Day.

This beloved, non-Hallmark national howliday was created by Petsitters International in 1999 to celebrate the fabulous companions that dogs make for us two leggeds... and to encourage adoption from local animal rescue & welfare organizations. It's a once-a-year excuse to stop working like a dog, but rather to work along side one!

Of course, before you place your pooch in the passenger seat and cruise to work in the HOV lane, you'll need to get permission from your HR department. And when they shoot back a "you gotta be kidding me" stare to your sincere request, clue them in to results of the most recent APPMA survey which definitively shows that Americans believe having pets in the workplace:

• leads to a more productive & creative environment
• decreases absenteeism
• helps co-workers get along better
• improves the relationship between managers and their employees

And, something that will really get their tails waggin'...employees who bring their pets to the workplace are known to watch the clock less and work longer hours

TOMORROW: "Take Your Dog To Work" Day Etiquette