Whenever I post a new Instagram photo or Facebook status about things that happen here at Barkleigh, I usually get the same response from my friends: “Your office looks like so much fun!” And it definitely is.

We have a giant stuffed panda that moves from office to office, sometimes hiding under desks or in corners and once appearing mysteriously in the back seat of my car. My coworkers and I recently spent a good part of a day carving pumpkins that now decorate the front porch of our building. (Check out the cover of October’s Groomer to Groomer to see how our pumpkins turned out!) We watch episodes of The Office during lunch, occasionally toss around a football in the parking lot, and have been known to pull pranks on each other... a lot.

For as much as we like to have fun and goof around, we also work hard. With two magazines and multiple expos throughout the year, we often put in long hours at the office to get everything ready and then work 12- to 18-hour days at the shows. The jokes and games provide a sense of balance and prevent burnout, and the fun that we have outweighs the times that we get on each others’ nerves.

It is easy to become overwhelmed by the demands of the busy holiday season. From increased retail sales volume to no vacancies and no-shows (Nancy Ward explains how to deal with those on page 46), the potential for frustration is high. What steps can you take to minimize stress during the holiday season and maintain the balance between hard work and fun at your facility? Whether this busy time requires improved organization and planning or time set aside for a party with your staff, Pet Boarding & Daycare wishes you a happy holiday season!

– Cindy Agoncillo, Managing Editor

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