Redditor Seeks Advice After Her Coworker Starts Bringing Smelly Old Rescue Dog To Office

A 28-year-old woman thought she was pretty chill about office smells, until a rescue dog started showing up every day and turned the whole workplace into a walking, farting, pee-stained mystery. At first, she tried to shrug it off, because hey, it’s a rescue, and nobody wants to be the person complaining about a good deed.

But then her coworker kept bringing the old dog in, despite the fact that he can’t move fast, he pees all over the place, and he has a serious odor problem that gets worse when the owner feeds him super smelly food. OP is stuck between not wanting to start drama and feeling like the office is not a pet sanctuary anyone agreed to.

Now she’s wondering how to bring it up without making it sound like she’s attacking the dog, or the person bringing him in.

OP feels bad about her complaining because the dog in question is a rescue

OP describes herself as someone who's tolerant of smells, but this dog was too much even for her

The cherry on top is the fact that the owner feeds his dog super smelly food as well

The worst part is, OP is already trying not to be “that coworker,” even though the dog’s smell is getting past her tolerance limits fast.

In the realm of office dynamics, maintaining harmony between personal preferences and professional responsibilities is crucial.

The dog also pees all over the place and has a farting problem

The dog is old and he can't move around quickly

OP doesn't want to be the one to bring up issues in the office

And when you add the super smelly food to the mix, it stops being a one-off bad day and starts feeling like a daily choice.

The challenge OP faces with her coworker's dog illustrates a common struggle in workplace dynamics where personal preferences clash.

It's essential for employees to feel comfortable voicing concerns in order to maintain a positive work environment.

This office feud echoes the coworker whose fear of dogs sparked a no-dog policy controversy.

OP feels like the owner is abusing his privilege

The baseline of behavior

u/beentheredonethatx2

Just talk to the owner about this

u/toratoratori1956

The farting and random peeing make it impossible to pretend everything is fine, especially with an older dog that can’t quickly get away.

In navigating this odorous workplace dilemma, it is essential for OP to approach the situation with effective communication.

The clues point to a health problem

u/Pen14klub

It's not what the office signed up for

u/walnutbrain4lyfe u/RogueKitteh

So OP has to decide whether she talks to her coworker directly about the odor and mess, or escalates it to HR and risks turning her office into a battlefield.

OP may consider approaching her coworker in a non-confrontational manner, perhaps by sharing her feelings about the dog's odor.

Research suggests that framing the conversation as a personal discomfort rather than a direct critique can reduce defensiveness.

For instance, she might say, 'I find it difficult to concentrate when there are strong odors in the office.' This could lead to a more productive dialogue.

As the days passed, OP was confronted with a dilemma that many office workers face: how to address a sensitive issue without offending anyone.

Should she share her concerns with HR, risking awkwardness? Or would a direct conversation with her coworker be a more appropriate approach?

Finally, OP's journey through the maze of office odors reminds us of the delicate balance between workplace harmony and personal preferences. It's an interesting story about empathy, communication, and, perhaps most importantly, the value of investing in a quality air freshener.

Exploring Workplace Policies

This situation may also prompt a discussion about workplace policies regarding pets in the office.

Navigating personal discomforts in shared workspaces is crucial for preserving a harmonious environment.

OP might get her workplace back faster if she stops letting a rescue dog’s routine become everyone else’s problem.

Still torn about pet rules after the office drama and allergy concerns? See what this employee did enforcing a pet-friendly policy.