𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗠𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿

Every day when I get home, my dog Mookie is waiting at the door—frisbee in her mouth, tail wagging, ready to play. No matter what kind of day I’ve had, she shows up with joy, patience, and unconditional love.

It struck me recently that the same qualities that make her such a great companion are the ones that make someone a great co-worker:

🐾 Be Supportive – Mookie’s presence lifts my mood instantly. At work, being that steady source of encouragement can change someone’s day.

🐾 Bring Energy – Her excitement for a walk is contagious. In the office, enthusiasm is fuel for the whole team.

🐾 Build Connections – Walks with Mookie have helped us meet so many of our neighbors (she’s probably the most popular dog in the neighborhood.) At work, those small moments of connection matter just as much.

🐾 Have Purpose – Caring for her gives me responsibility and structure. Reliability at work does the same for a team.

🐾 Show Empathy – Dogs know when you’re stressed or tired. Practicing that awareness with colleagues makes us more human.

🐾 Be Resilient – Missed catches don’t stop Mookie—she’s back at it in seconds. Resilient teammates help everyone bounce back.

And here’s the biggest one: if you want to experience unconditional love in life, get a dog and treat them well. The way they show up for you will remind you how to show up for others.

👉 What lessons have you learned from your pets that apply to work?

The original post appeared on Linkedin in September 2025 and can be found here: Link

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