Go to a public park and watch how strangers interact with dogs in the park.  An owner of a cute dog will have a steady stream of people stopping over and asking if they can pet the dog, which is no surprise, as dogs have a way to draw people in, comfort them, and impart some of their eternal happiness onto everyone around them. 

So it occurred to me, why not have an office dog at an apartment community, especially at one that hopes to focus on being "pet friendly"?  I tried to imagine myself as a prospect, and I'm sitting in a seat across from the leasing consultant, when suddenly I look down and there is a snout of a Golden Retriever, Cubbie, laying its head on my lap, his eyes looking up at me in an appeal to be petted. 

I reach down and start petting him, letting out an unconscious exhale as I release the stress of trying to find my new home.   When it is time to take a tour, Cubbie joins us, walking to the model and following me from room to room as I check out my potential new digs.  He's become my temporary best friend, and makes my trip more memorable than any of the other cookie cutter apartments I see that day.  To top off the tour, the leasing consultant gives me a treat to give to Cubbie.  Our bond is now complete, and I'm ready to sign the lease.

Granted, leasing is never that easy, but if I was a prospect, I would absolutely love that experience.  Home isn't just a structure, it is a feeling.  It is a sense of comfort, safety, and calm.  It is where many of life's memories are made, serving as the backdrop to the moments that matter to us.  And I am sure this is littered with my own bias, but I think a pet can fit perfectly in that sense of what "home" is.  This is especially true for a community that looks to be "pet friendly". 

What do you think?  Would Cubbie the Leasing Dog be a good addition in a community office?

This post was inspired by this tweet: