Workplace increasingly becoming pet's place

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Sir Charles prepared for his work debut at IC Systems with an herbal shampoo bath, haircut, beard-whitening facial and a "peticure." On June 22, he delivered faxes to co-workers at the Boca Raton, Fla., company and spent quality time with his owner, Larry Weinstein, 77, at the computer.

The 4-year-old Sealyham terrier was among canines across the nation who accompanied their owners to the office last week in honor of the ninth Take Your Dog to Work Day.

The annual event "is a celebration of the great companions that dogs make," said John Long, manager of Pet Sitters International in King, N.C., which expected 20,000 employers to participate this year, compared with 300 at the 1999 launch. More...