Hi everyone,
We recently wrote this article for teletext holidays and thought it would be great to share it with you as well. đ
We all know how much we love our cat companions, but how easy is it to be with them 24/7 while you are meant to be working from home during a lockdown?
The Morning Routine
Youâd think there shouldnât be much difference with this as you get up as normal, serve your cat overlords their breakfasts and have a shower to get ready for work as usual despite, of course, not leaving your home.
But alas not⊠so youâve just had your shower and are thinking Ah I could really do with a coffee before starting to work – you know, just like the coffee youâd pick up on the way to work. Just as you settle down at your PC with your nice hot coffee one of your little companions will pop up on the desk and demand breakfast part two.
But hold on a second⊠who gives them the second breakfast after the humans have left for work?!? Well, apparently no work is to be permitted until the second serving has been put out⊠so downstairs we go again to put out some more wet food before heading back to the now not so hot coffee.
Lunchtime
After a morning filled with Zoom calls it time to pack up some marketing samples before grabbing some lunch.
Well, easier said than done⊠because your companion decided that the envelopes were put out for him as the newest addition to his collection of cat beds!
So you change your plans and have lunch first, thinking since he is asleep you can have your lunch in peace and quiet – but of course human food is far more interesting than anything else so he demands to join you for lunch!
Mind you that dry food was available this whole time but hasnât been touched by any of your four companions. Why would they eat dry food when they have the humans around 24/7 to give them wet food on demand!
The Afternoon Work Meeting
After a slightly disrupted morning keeping the feline overlords happy itâs time for an important call with your boss. However⊠this is when Mr. Renegade decides that itâs not enough that you know that you are his human. He also has to make sure that everyone else on the other end of the telephone knows as well!
Itâs just as well that I work for a cat company and my boss loves cats, otherwise I am not sure he would find his conversation with Renegade as much fun as little Rennie did.
How to Work from Home with Your Pets
But now on a more serious note⊠what can you do to ensure that you get your work done during lockdown while not falling out with your beloved companion over constantly needing attention?
Whether your companion is a cat or a dog, I would recommend creating a nice little resting place for them that is near you. This could be under your desk, in a corner or even a section on your desk if itâs big enough.
I opted for a nice comfy memory foam cushion just next to the printer for a little cosy area! And it certainly has made it a lot easier to work with the cats around as they tend to sleep there or watch me (or the birds outside!) from their cushion while I am able to get some work done.
You can also provide your companion with extra stimulation through toys and puzzle feeders, which will help keep them entertained while you are busy with your work.
And donât worry⊠we still love each other. But I am sure, like us, the cats are looking forward to a return to normality!
For me, as much as I love my cats, based on how my previous one was, I would have to be in a room separate from the cat to work. I had to do this when one time studying because regardless she had her favourite spot she wanted my lap.
Having special boxes and baskets that my cats can use for “supervisory” posts has worked very nicely. They would still prefer my drinking from my water glass rather than get down for their bowl! Your essay was very close to home for me and I’ve been retired 5 years! They just love us!
I work from home most days and it really can be difficult with cats who want lots of attention.
I had issues with Louis Catorze walking up to the screen, screaming at the kids I was online-teaching and then walking away again. Just so bizarre. No point in even trying to manage the classâs behaviour after that.
KYour cats are lovely. What breed is Renegade? Our cat passed away last year and we miss him very much. He was a Main Coon and a real personality.
Cute post. verily enjoyed it
Oh dear. My kittens are constantly climbing up to my shoulders to have a look at whatever I’m doing at work. My boy Hiroshi is attracted to loud voices on my phone so when certain people are talking he’s pawing and sniffing at the phone. Then there are the famous fights over who gets to use the office chair! And constant knee patting from Old Boy Shinji. It’s quite the zoo at times.