A dog in our workplace
By Bella75
@nixxi76 (3191)
Canada
January 2, 2009 8:59pm CST
My boss has decided to have a 13 year old dog come live at the workplace. I work in a nursing home and find this very rediculous. We were prewarned by a note left at one of the nursing stations with a picture of the dog and it's name (Midnight) and a description of what the dog's likes/dislikes and habits were. Everyone that wanted to be Midnight's friend would sign this paper. Being Midnight's friend meant whoever signed this paper had to take him outside, clean up his messes, feed him... etc.
Now the dog is at his new home and there are forms made out for Midnight to record when we give him his prescription, when he is fed and so on.
The last two nights have been really annoying with this dog peeing and pooping all over the hallways. Also he's rummaging through all the rooms and knocking down garbages and leaving us a huge mess when we go into the rooms. It's bad enough we have residents we have to look after and as if we have enough time to go picking up after this dog.
I'm not really sure what my boss was thinking when he decided to adopt this dog but for us it's not really working out! I was thinking of leaving my boss a note explaining all of the complaints so far.
If my boss wanted this dog, why didn't he take him home? I and some other co-workers sure don't want to look after it.
FYI: I didn't sign my name on that paper to look after Midnight, so I don't think I should be cleaning up after him.
Any thoughts?
3 people like this
13 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
3 Jan 09
At teh age 13 is pretty old for a dog . what kind is it.
For our dogs are 15 and 14.
and they are getting where they are losing their ability to wait to get outside.
The oldest pees in front of the door If we dont get him out early.
Also they dont make it all the way around the house to thier area before they let go.
Altho its not messy its hard to walk around some of it and grnadd aughter ends up stepping in some of it.
Also sounds like teh dog wasnt trained not to get into garbage cans.
Did he have in mind that it would be good for the residents to pet?
Yeah why didnt he take it home.
SOunds like this dog is failing in health and really neededto be put to sleep.
YA get all the nurses togehter to sign a potition for him to take the dog home as I know ya really dont have the time to take care of pateints and the dog!
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
4 Jan 09
I would like to get all the employers to sign a petition or have a vote as we were not given one in the first place. I'm not sure if that letter at the nurses station was a type of petition, but a few people did sign their names, I know I was not one of them. The dog actually was better last night and went to sleep from 2:30am until I left at 7:00am so he slept in his dog bed. Although he was up when I got to work at 11pm, he left me one or two puddles in the hallway that I had to mop up 
.
This dog is losing his ability to get outside fast enough too, when you try walking him to the doors, he's already piddled at least three times and he also walks with a limp, so it takes longer to get there. There's also a prescription for him which I haven't yet given him and I'm not sure if we were suppose to last night OPPS!!
I'm not sure if he was trained or not to stay away from garbage cans but that's a huge annoyance.
Maybe he will learn and the adjustment period may come to an end soon? I don't know, but still I don't feel my workplace is the proper home for him.
Thanks for your understanding and thanks for your comment
.
This dog is losing his ability to get outside fast enough too, when you try walking him to the doors, he's already piddled at least three times and he also walks with a limp, so it takes longer to get there. There's also a prescription for him which I haven't yet given him and I'm not sure if we were suppose to last night OPPS!!
I'm not sure if he was trained or not to stay away from garbage cans but that's a huge annoyance.
Maybe he will learn and the adjustment period may come to an end soon? I don't know, but still I don't feel my workplace is the proper home for him.
Thanks for your understanding and thanks for your comment@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
4 Jan 09
Thats what my Fang dod after he turned 15 H was an American spitz when he kept falling in his dog bowl and not able to get up it was time to put him down I hated it and for months we carried him outside.
The Chow that is now 15 1/2 years walks sideways and has a hard time gettin gout the door and he dont tell ya any more he has to go if he makes it to the door and you dont see him he goes in front of it.
I am sorry but the owner needs to put this poor feller out of his misery!
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I believe that a dog and or a cat can make a nursing home a much more pleasant place to live. But from your description of the dog your boss has brought in is not the one to have there. From what I'm reading the dog isn't well trained. Even if he is 13 years old he should not be getting into the trouble you have described.
It is a health hazard to have a dog doing his business all over the place. I'm surprised that the health officials don't have the dog removed if they have been around. I think I would give them a call and have them handle the situation so that you and your co-worker don't look bad.
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
4 Jan 09
Thank you deebomb, I think I will take your advice into concideration and give the health officials a call. I also found out the dog was deaf too last night! This is too difficult of an adjustment for me. I'm going to be asking around tonight, the evening shift how they are adjusting the dog.
Thanks for your comment
1 person likes this
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
3 Jan 09
Are the residents enjoying his company? maybe if some of them are enjoying his company and are able they would also enjoy helping you clean up after him. . Or have a specific area for them to visit the dog. . such as the communal room or living room or tv room.. whatever it is in your workplace.. would something like that work if you could find a way to contain the dog to one area ?
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
3 Jan 09
Maybe that would work but most around here are rejecting the idea of containing the dog to one area because they think that is cruel. The other morning housekeeping went into the dining room where all the residents eat their meals and found poo on the floor in there. To me that's discusting.. that's where they eat.
It would also be nice if they would give us a leash so when we go for our smoke breaks, we could take him out.
All in all, I do like dogs but I really don't think that Midnight should live here. I figure if the boss wanted this dog, then take him home over night then bring him to work with him during the day.
Thanks very much for your comment sissygrl
@zhuuraan (961)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I think having a dog in a nursing home is overall an excellent idea. They are great with elderly people for the most part and I've seen homes that have them. They make the residents happy. However, your boss should have gotten a dog that was better trained and could wait to go to the batthroom when someone took him out and didn't get into things. Certainly a hyper dog would not be cool either. Maybe something like a lab or a golden retriever or a german shepard. Those are generally well behaved dogs, easy to train, and more laid back than a lot of other dogs. I think a dog is a good idea there, but your boss did not look at teh big picture and plan very well.
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
4 Jan 09
That's usually the way the story goes when it comes to my boss. That place is constantly changing with other things as well and they are thrown at us unfairly. So is this situation. I wished he really would have thought about what he was getting us into when he put this idea into consideration. I'm just wondering if this was an impulsive plan?
Thanks for your comment
@Fortunata (1135)
• United States
4 Jan 09
A cat I could see, but not a dog, they're too dependent on people cleaning up after them. I would have a word with your boss, and see if maybe he could take it home and then bring it back just a few days. I think the local hospital here has animals that come to 'visit' the people in the extended stay, but they don't stay there permenantly!!
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
4 Jan 09
That would be a great idea if the boss would take the dog home all the time at nights and then maybe bring him back during the dayshift when the residents are awake and will appreciate him? Maybe this is something I or another co-worker can approach the boss with? I have a feeling if we did do that he will hold a grudge or snuff us off.
Thanks for your comment
@chechelang (36)
• Philippines
17 Jan 09
dog is man's bestfriend...but you have your own freedom to chose what you like.,wel its hard doing things like that but if you like dog you enjoy doing such thing
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
3 Jan 09
It sounds like this dog needs some training, to be honest.
Your boss was probably thinking that the residents would enjoy a dog, and perhaps did not pick the best dog for this purpose, although I can see how a puppy would not have been a great choice either.
I don't know what your boss is like, so I don't know how effective complaining will be, but it might be worth your while to take it up with your boss as it is a time issue.
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
4 Jan 09
Although I've worked here for three years now, I don't quite have a conversational relationship with my boss.. it's just rarely a hello when I pass him in the hallways but I sure hear what he's like which is very moody. We are unionized so I feel that's what is protecting most of us because I know from word of another employer that he's scared of them and dislikes dealing with our union. I could leave him an anonymous note under the door and maybe that would make me feel more comfortable. I would take the time to type it so he wouldn't recognise my penmenship.
Thanks for your comment
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I think your boss was trying to bring a bit of joy to all those residents that live in your nursing home. I think that even though it is an annoying nusance to you, those residents will actually benefit rom that dog being there. I bet, if you were to ask some of the residence who are still capable of doing things for themselves, they would love to help care for the dog. I would raise that option with your boss before complaining about the dog.
I have worked in a nursing home and we didn't have a dog there, but we had birds. We also allowed family members to bring their dogs to visit. The attitude of the residents was always better when they had a pet around.
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
3 Jan 09
I agree with daytime visits from a dog but not to live here. There's a cat here and birds which were already here, but now a dog? I wouldn't have any problem with it if the boss took the dog home at night and brought it back during the day so he could take care of it. Sure some of the residents like the dog but I can't see them bending over to clean up the messes it leaves on the floors because then I could see them losing their balance and falling maybe breaking a hip or slipping in the dog pee and the same thing happening.
I think I will be writing to our boss and letting him know our true feelings about this situation.
Thanks for your views about it
@Autumnrose2008 (1478)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I think you need to ask the residents that live in the home how they feel about it. If the dog makes them happy then I have to say grab a roll of paper towels and start cleaning. I work in a nursing home that allows pets and I have to say that the residents really enjoy the pets. They look forward to petting them and loving on them. Sometimes a dog or a cat can be the only thing to get thru to a resident, not to mention the animal maybe the only one that comes to visit some residents. As a nurse it is my job to make sure that my residents have the best care and that there last days are happy and filled with joy, if that means me having to clean up a mess or two from an animal so be it. They are not long for this world and should have the chance to be happy no matter where they are, same with the animals.
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
3 Jan 09
I believe that residents should have the best care too but as an employee, I think my boss should have had a vote with my co-workers and I if we thought the idea was a good idea or not. I understand that residents come first but during the night the residents are sleeping and the dog doesn't matter to them.
I'm not sure if this is just an adjusting period for the dog and us workers. The dog has only been here for four days and already we're running after it picking up garbage that he knocks over, mopping and picking up doo.
We already have a cat here and that's fine because she knows where to use the bathroom and is already well adjusted here.
Cleaning up after the dog is not my job title. It's looking after the residents and that's it.
Thanks for your comment I like to hear other's views on things
@audrey7 (232)
• Jamaica
3 Jan 09
My dear you have given a vivid description of this dog's actions.Clearly he is more than a hand-ful especially with the task you are expected to do. How many member of staff signed? How are they coping? The nature of facility does not allow for an untrained dog to be let loose in that environment. What was the owner thinking?How many of you did not sign? Iwould suggest that (the group of non-signees) write a letter to him telling him about what is happening. By the way those who have signed were they expecting this? Do not allow the situation to continue before bringing it to his attention.
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
4 Jan 09
In all fairness I think our boss should have had a vote before he even took this into concideration because those who didn't sign the letter, are still the ones taking care of this animal. It's not fair. Honestly, this nursing home is turning into a zoo because we have already a cat and she's fine because she's there to make residents happy and does her job very well. Not long ago he brought in four birds and guess who has to clean the cage? Yes! We do! Now this dog? I just don't think the dog is a good idea.
Thanks for your opinion
@vindiku (255)
• India
3 Jan 09
Hey you are getting frustrated. Never mind, basically its difficult to handle dogs if you dont know how to take care of them. It could be like a test to you. Your boss might be thinking that, if you are able to handle a dog, then you will be able to handle any kind of human beings in that particular nursing home. He would have done this to test your patience. Be patient, am also a dog owner for the last 2 months and i know how difficult is it to handle him properly (i mean my dog). Take it as a challenge.
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
4 Jan 09
That is a very interesting fact and I could actually see our boss doing that to us and just creating another problem for us to get a reaction too. I'm really not up to the challenge though, I had a dog before and I couldn't handle it at all. A dog to me is like a child and it's not where you can leave it alone at home because it will distroy all furniture and other things. I couldn't handle the dog and had to find it a caring home because of my lifestyle. My hubby and I worked shift work and we didn't have time for the dog.
I will indeed take your comment into mind and just stay quiet about it though.Thank you on your views
@roshanrose (2)
• India
3 Jan 09
yes u did a right thing because if u do anything which u dont like it will always create a doubt in your mind, so it can stop your progress.. roshan.
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I find this kind of sad really. Where I think your boss had all the right intentions, looks like there wasn't any follow through. You don't just adopt a dog and put them into a housing situation until you know they are house broken. Pets need to bond with one person, form a routine, get to know the rights and wrongs. This poor animal is thrown into a living enviornment that isn't suitable for him.
I agree that animals, pets are very good therapy for the elderly; however, when the animal themselves have medical problems, then it puts extra weight on an already overloaded staff.
I agree with you. I feel that your boss has all the right intentions, but his plan wasn't that though out.
1 person likes this
