with a cotton tail or a Santa suit for
Christmas. Rocky, a stray from the
Carolina Boxer Rescue, often wraps his
arms around Higgins for a hug.
"It's amazing," Higgins says. "I mean,
people tell me they're like humans. I say,
'I don't know why. I guess it's just the
way we treat them.' "
Owners, too, see the benefits of taking
pets to the office. After all, many of us
spend more of our waking hours at work
than at home. A recent survey by the
American Pet Products Association found
that 20 percent of U.S. companies now
have pet-friendly policies. The Humane
Society of the United States even released
a book about it: "Dogs at Work: A
Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly
Workplaces."
But not just any pet can go to the
office.
"I think it's very important that if
you bring a dog to work it needs to be
obedient," says Evette Squires.
Squires has plenty of practice. She
began taking dogs to work at her jewelry
repair store more than 20 years ago.
These days, she is joined at her Raeford
Road shop by her Lahasa Apso, golden
retriever and cocker spaniel, all named for
gemstones, naturally, though it's much
easier to say K.T., Paddy and Aggie than
24-carat gold, padparadscha (an orange
sapphire) and agate.
"They are my family," Squires says.
"I don't have kids. I'm not married. But
we've always had dogs. I don't remember
a time when my family didn't have dogs.
CityViewNC.com
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Above | Pets are becoming a common
sight at Fayetteville businesses, including
Ladybugs boutique in Haymount, where
customers greet Rocky the boxer.
Left | It's just another day at the
office for Sugar, a sheltie with his own
Facebook profile. Employer? Moonlight
Communications. Position? Official greeter
and time manager. Here, Sugar supervises
human employees Pat Wright, left, and Jan
Johnson.
