Today, I wanted to write about some of the great benefits Rural America offers to its team members. One of the benefits I enjoy the most is the ability to work from home in my own office.
Working from home allows me the luxury of having my very own office staff: two sassy calico cats who like to boss me around, and one neurotic, three-legged, scared, rescue dog, named Chloe.
But, even working in your own office, sometimes you just need to take a break from the computer and get some fresh air. Today was one of those days.The sun was shining and made for a beautiful day. So, I thought I'd take Chloe outside with me for a quick break.
Some back story:
Now, Chloe is afraid of EVERYTHING. At least, she is at home. I'm talking, tail-tucked, pleading brown "please don't hurt me?!" eyes. But, when she's at doggy daycare, she's the happiest, most playful dog you'll ever see. You would swear she is two completely different dogs.
My step-daughter started working at that daycare a couple days ago. She happened to be there yesterday at the same time Chloe was there. When she came home, she told us something that was too good to be true: Chloe played FETCH (with a tennis ball) with her all afternoon!
Okay, please note: I've tried on many, MANY occasions to engage Chloe in some form - ANY form - of playtime. So, I'm a bit jealous.
Present day:
So, today I decide that on my little break, I'm going to take Chloe outside and try playing some fetch with her again. I figure, "Hey. She played yesterday, so it's fresh in her head and she'll enjoy it. Right?" Well...
Here is how 'Fetch Experiment #1' went:
Throw #1: I toss the ball to the end of the yard and she runs the opposite direction, up the porch steps, and hides behind the railing by the patio door. *I* have to fetch the ball.
Throw #2: I call her to me. She reluctantly comes over. I throw the ball back to the driveway and she runs to the back door and sits against the wall with her tail tucked under her.*I* fetch the ball, again.
Throw #3: I throw the ball to the back of the yard again. She runs UNDER the porch. *I* fetch the ball, again.
Throw #4: I get her to run WITH me, with ball in hand, around the house. We get to the backyard and I toss the ball to the other side of the yard... she hides behind the porch railing. *I* fetch it... again.
Results of 'Fetch Experiment # 1':
After fifteen minutes out in the yard, I have learned that I am quite good at fetching, and have completely worn myself out running/playing. Therefore, I am leaving Chloe in charge of getting my client projects done and writing my newest blog post and I will be taking a nap on her couch.
I can't wait until 'Fetch Experiment #2'! Maybe I need to rethink how much how much of a benefit it actually is to work from home... it's exhausting!