INTERIOR DESIGN

Pets During the Pandemic.

They’re happy we’re working from home, and we’re glad they’re the 24-7 office mate we never knew we’d need.

Each day, I give thanks for a mutt named Jack who is helping me get through the pandemic.

He certainly is cute with his glossy black-and-white coat, confident strut, and upright tail that curves into a C. It’s not just me or my husband or our two sons who think he’s quite fetching. During our daily walks, it’s the three motorists who’ve literally stopped in traffic to shout “good-looking dog!” And the homeowners who’ve run out of their houses to ask about him. And the kids who have asked me if they could, with parental approval, pet this sweet dog. Indeed, it’s a rare day that Jack doesn’t get at least one compliment as we take our usual five-mile trek through parks and neighborhoods.

This daily connection to others that Jack provides is a balm to my soul in our new socially and physically distanced world. Ever since last March, when offices and schools went online to remote working and learning, he’s been tail-wagging-ly by my side.

Our day starts at 5:30 or 6 a.m. when Jack paws at me to let him outside while I pour him food and water. And soon after, he scratches at our mudroom door to nudge me toward his leash. Sorry/not sorry, Ronald Reagan, but I think Jack is the Great Communicator.

When my husband, Richard, and I start lacing up our shoes, Jack goes atwitter, jumping up and down because it signals his favorite time of day: walking time. It’s become the best part of our day, too. Not only are we getting much needed exercise, no matter the weather, in sunshine, wind, rain or snow, we are also listening to audiobooks.

One of the things the stress of the pandemic temporarily stole was my ability to read books, my usual favorite solitary past time. But I was too busy worrying about my kids logging onto screens each day to learn, and fretting about my parents going anywhere, even the grocery store, with their health conditions. And I spent my days writing letters and articles about COVID protocols for students, faculty and staff for the university I work for, as well as trying to help

One of my friends who also has been working from home the past year takes kitty instead of coffee breaks these days.

my clients’ evolving business needs they are grappling with. So sitting still and concentrating over the printed pages of books was much too much for me for months.

But Jack’s love of walking got me listening to books. Together, my husband and I have enjoyed biographies, mysteries, and novels before starting each workday. One of the standouts has been “Travels with Charley in Search of America” by John Steinbeck. The 1960 memoir details the renowned author’s road trip across the country with his beloved black poodle.

We listened to Steinbeck’s words as we walked Jack on his favorite route, where he spontaneously jumps to scale shoulder-high retaining walls and sits expectantly at a fence post affixed with a homeowners’ mailbox containing bone-shaped biscuits. When I stare in awe and wonder at beautiful Jack, it’s not surprising that Steinbeck brought Charley around for his 38-state journey. Our furry friends are both ice breakers and just downright great company.

You’ve probably read about pandemic pets, how dog and cat adoption, sales, and fostering numbers increased in 2020 along with spikes in leashes and pet toys, according to Nielsen numbers and Chewy pet-supply subscription-box data. Indeed, my social media feeds have surged with selfies of my friends with their new furry BFFs.

One of my friends who also has been working from home the past year takes kitty instead of coffee breaks these days. Her daily ritual with Tasuki (pronounced toss-key), a shorthair orange tabby (think Garfield), has become “where’s Tasuki?” He hides in different spots around the house, usually the last place they were playing together.

She’s discovered Tasuki really does sleep a lot during the day, but that he gets active while she’s working at

her computer. He runs around and wants her to chase him. So she does when she can, or she settles for petting his soft, fine fur between meetings and urgent emails.

Jack also wants attention as I sit working at my dining table/desk – especially when I’m on Zoom. He’ll jump up on my banquette and join the meeting, and stare and smile at the screen — it’s a good thing actions like this have become acceptable WFH office etiquette.

As I’m spending practically 24/7 from home, Jack has another move he likes to make. I’ll be hugging my husband or one of my sons, and Jack will come bounding across the room. He can’t miss out on a group hug, and thanks to him, neither can we.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stacy Downs writes about all things design and is a partner at MAD Creative, a branding and communications firm in Kansas City. DESIGN TIPS FOR LIVING WITH DOGS AND CATS

I tell everyone my house is seriously “Jacked” up. Our dog, Jack – a mix of Bassett Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Jack Russell Terrier, Weimaraner, and 50 percent unknown – has left his indelible mark on our lives and home.

Some things, my family can live with easily (the light sprinkling of Jack hair) and other things require more serious solutions (the time he turned our sofa into a chew toy). A few things we’ve learned along the way:

Use indoor-outdoor upholstery fabric. One of my friends, who is a designer, said I’d be amazed when I saw the newest indoor-outdoor fabrics. I reupholstered a large ottoman with a kiwi-colored velvet textile. When Jack leaves a muddy paw print on it, as he does, I simply wipe with a dry cloth and it looks like new. Convinced, I’m reupholstering a sofa and dining room chairs and banquettes with it.

Corral their gear — and yours. Like the other members of the family, Jack has his own peg in the mudroom for his winter coat and leash. His treats are stored in a canister like our snacks are. Chew toys go in the same spot like our remotes do. Important tip: If you get a puppy or kitten, store irreplaceable items (like the heirloom wedding present throw my aunt knit me) away until or if they move past the baby, biting stage.

Strive for excellence, not perfection. Exercise patience because, like people, pets cause accidents that leave their mark on places inside the home. If I can’t Magic Eraser it, reupholster it, or touch it up with paint, I shrug and consider it part of my home’s “paw-tina.”