During these Corona times, Burda’s office dogs are also mostly working from home. How do they like this change? Today, Danish–Swedish farmdog Danska from corporate HR tells us all about it.
Dogs are good for the working climate, keep us moving, promote communication and make us laugh. According to a Statista study, dog owners who are allowed to take their animals to work are less stressed and their colleagues more satisfied. And as long as the office community and the superiors have nothing against it, there is a lot to be said for taking friendly four-legged friends to work with you. At Burda, there are many woof-tastic coworkers. Some of these dogfluencers even have their own Instagram account and one of them acted as inspiration for Burda's first dog magazine. Here, a few Burda dogs introduce themselves personally.
Who are you and where are you from?
Hello, my name is Cara and I am a nine-year-old black giant schnauzer bitch. By the way, I was a Christmas present for my owner, because I was born on Christmas Eve 2009 - a little Santa Claus.
Where does your owner work and what's her name?
My owner is Marie-Luise Schebesta, editor-in-chief of the country and garden magazines Mein schönes Land, Mein schönes Landhaus and Mein schöner Landgarten. And I am the editorial dog, as seen on the editorial photo of the first edition. I was still very small back then - only 6 weeks old and actually still at the breeder's. And so Mein schönes Land and I grew up together. When we take new editorial photos, I always have a lot of fun - my favourite photos are attached. My owner says that she is happy to have me with her, so people would look at me more than at her. That's probably true, because sometimes I get quite nice letters from the readers.
How often do you come to the office and what does a typical day look like?
Well, I only work part-time - that's great! In the morning after breakfast we first go into the forest, then to the office. During lunch break we go for a big walk, after that we eat at home. When my owner goes back to the office, I take my nap - the perfect daily routine!
Where's your favorite spot at work?
In the office I lie in my basket or next to the glass door and watch what everyone is doing. Sometimes I play with my zebra.
What makes you howl, when do you start growling?
Howl?! I have obviously been raised super well, because my owner already had many dogs and knows how to do that. But I also... Sometimes I just hear poorly or just think of something else... but mostly I do follow - she is so happy then! I am incredibly cuddly and would like to be stroked at all times.
Sometimes I would also like to be smaller, then I could sit on laps, which I try over and over again. I'm often exuberant and always want to kiss everyone. That's why I stay in my owner's office room, but through the glass walls I have an overview of everything.
If someone is standing in front of the door, I will make a noise, because Marie-Luise is always so concentrated - she wouldn't notice a thing.
At home - we live in a timber house at the edge of a forest - I am very vigilant. That's important, because we don't have any neighbours and so I have to do all the watching, including growling.
Who is your favourite person in the office and why?
My favourite is Alex, our picture editor, who has been taking our editorial photos from the very beginning. I only have to get a glimpse of her to jump around with enthusiasm!
What I don't like at all are men who want to come behind my owner's desk to repair something on the computer - you never know...
Are there any other office dogs besides you, if so, who?
So far, only Alex brings her dog with her, but we don't play together, that would be too much of a commotion.
Truth be told - What mischief have you ever done in the office?
I didn't want to let an IT technician get to the computer when my owner wasn't in the office. He came in just like that - I was startled and barked...
What do you look forward to the most after work?
I really enjoy everything, as long as my owner is there! I also like to go to restaurants. And of course long walks - these are also very important for Marie-Luise! She always gets such good ideas for the magazine because: "You get the very best inspiration in nature," she always says. It's a good thing that I'm here to keep reminding her of this...
By the way: A recent Focus magazine (14/19) examined the future of work. And after 'flexible working hours' and 'home office', the most important thing for people was 'taking dogs into the office' - that's what 27 percent want. That's great, isn't it? And thank God Burda is so progressive that that is already allowed today. I wanted to say THANK YOU, because I really like to go to the office - woof!
