Hi, #leverxpeople,

Today, we want to tell you about the fluffy members of the LeverX team. In our offices, we have a dog-friendly policy, so our employees often come to work with their dogs. This makes the office environment brighter and more enjoyable, especially since pets have long become a part of the team.
In this article, we will introduce you to Bonia and Danuta. Danuta and Bonia have been coming to the office together for a long time, so this adorable dog has become quite popular (you can often find him on our Instagram).

Please tell us a little about your dog, including name, age, breed, etc. How would you describe your dog's personality?

I have a dog, a long-haired Chihuahua. He's three years old, named Bonifacio, or simply Bonia. He's very communicative and well-socialized when interacting with people, but his interactions with other dogs can vary. Bonia is quite dominant if other dogs don't submit to him and can be possessive if someone enjoys more attention than him.

What inspired you to bring your dog to the office?

It's pretty simple — it frees up some extra time for me since I walk him on the way to the office and back home. I don't always bring Bonia to the office, but if I see that my schedule is overloaded and I'm short on time for everything else, Bonia comes along. Additionally, I bring him to the office when my colleagues ask for it. They adore him, ask when he'll be there, and get him treats.

Have you noticed any positive changes in the office atmosphere since your dog started coming to work?

The presence of dogs positively impacts on the office environment, reducing stress levels and further bonding the team. When you take a break to pet a dog, refocusing and clearing your mind is much easier, allowing you to return to work with renewed energy. Additionally, dogs are our main fresh memes suppliers. Today, someone makes a funny picture of a dog, and by tomorrow evening, there are a dozen internal memes derived from it, keeping us entertained and united.

How do you balance work responsibilities with your dog's daily needs?

Since we're having a good walk on our way to the office, Bonia mostly sleeps during the day. When he wakes up and wants to roam around the office, I allow him to, as he is an independent and self-sufficient dog. If my colleagues have free time, they pet and play with him.

How does your dog interact with other office dogs?

Bonia is a very dominant dog and doesn't tolerate competition. Therefore, he rarely plays with other male dogs. Typically, I try to keep him away from them unless I'm sure they get along well. However, he relates preatty well with female dogs, especially those of his size. The gentle friendship between him and Jessie, a Yorkshire Terrier, was observed and heartwarming for the entire office.

What's your dog's favorite spot in the office, and why?

Bonifacio likes to settle in a corner, preferably on something soft. In the Wroclaw office, the floors are covered with rugs, so he just picks a convenient spot, but it's always in a corner where he feels safe and can calmly observe what's happening in the office. However, Bonia's absolute favorite spot is the kitchen. There's always something tasty to find, either on the floor or by begging someone. The layout of the Wroclaw office allows me to keep an eye on Bonia's movements, and if I don't see him in my line of sight for more than 15 minutes, I know exactly where to find him.

Any tips for maintaining a pet-friendly workplace?

The dog should have access to water — that's the most important thing. Everything else is individual. For example, given Bonifacio's passion for begging for food, my main task in ensuring his safety was to explain to my colleagues that he shouldn't be fed regular food. I always bring special treats to share with colleagues if they want to treat Bonia.

Where else do you enjoy taking your dog, apart from the office? Which places would you like to have the opportunity to bring your dog to?

We visit various cafes, coffee shops, and similar places. There are plenty of such establishments. However, we truly miss pet-friendly hotels that would welcome us with our dog. We love spending time in nature, going to the mountains, and hiking, but we don't bring Bonia along due to the difficulties in finding accommodation.

Share a memorable moment involving your dog and colleagues.

Well, it's definitely about food! One day, I was sitting with a colleague in a meeting, and my dog Bonya was in the office. Suddenly, another colleague rushed into the meeting room looking very worried and insisted that I go to the office with her right away. Despite my hints that it would be good to finish the meeting first, she continued to insist. 

After agreeing with my colleague, I left the meeting and found out that my beloved dog had managed to get onto my office chair and had reached my lunch - a big steak with salt and pepper. But the real problem was that when my colleague caught the culprit red-handed and tried to take the meat away from him, Bonya swallowed the whole piece without chewing. 

I had to carry him out of the office because he couldn't walk, and we spent the whole evening at the vet's office. That day, I learned to keep a closer eye on my food, and my colleague had a memorable experience for a lifetime, losing a battle with a Chihuahua over a piece of meat.

What essentials do you recommend having when bringing a dog to work?

The most important thing is a water bowl. It's also a good idea to bring a mat, some treats, and a few favorite toys to distract your dog and make it easier to control them. Additionally, I bring dog food with me, but this is particularly relevant for owners of small dogs that need to be fed more than twice a day.

Bonya is a wonderful dog! With an amazing owner. We truly believe they make an excellent team! But that's not all! Soon, we will tell you about our new furry heroes.