Every office has its characters, and our Global Business Manager Alice's dog, Atlas, might just take the cake—or should we say, the cheese cake? This 6-year-old Labernese (Labrador and Bernese Mountain Dog mix) brings together the intelligence of both breeds wrapped in an endearingly goofy package.

Despite her age, Atlas is perpetually stuck in puppy mode—food-obsessed, incredibly cuddly, and hilariously clumsy. She's known for spontaneous barking sessions and having an extensive list of fears, leaving most people convinced she's still just a puppy.

What makes Atlas truly special is her remarkable journey. Before becoming Alice's companion, Atlas served as a trained service dog for the Mira Foundation . Alice actually fostered Atlas during her first year to help socialize her before formal service training. Atlas then went on to support a 13-year-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder for over a year.

In what Alice describes as destiny, knee injuries forced Atlas into early retirement, and Alice was given the chance to welcome her back permanently. The reunion wasn't just a happy coincidence—it proved to be life-changing. During the difficult period following the loss of Alice's sister, Atlas provided the emotional support and structure that kept Alice moving forward, encouraging walks and establishing routines when they were needed most.

"She knows when I feel low and needs to bring me back up," Alice shares. "Pretty sure she's so good at that thanks to her service dog training. She is the pure definition of unconditional love."

True to her Sagittarius nature, Atlas embodies optimism, enthusiasm, generosity, and loyalty. She's also developed quite the reputation for her adorable "red flag"—a peculiar fascination with stealing dirty socks from feet, laundry baskets, or anywhere else she can find them.

You can follow Atlas's adventures on Instagram at @atlas.the.labernese .

If you've ever visited our Toronto office on Queen West, chances are you've been greeted by Operations Manager Anne's dynamic duo: 7-year-old Molly Brown and her younger sidekick, 1.5-year-old Georgia Brown.

Molly, a Texas transplant and true Southern belle rescued through Redemption Paws , is what Anne describes as "a sensitive soul with pep in her step." Despite her carefully calibrated internal schedule (mostly revolving around mealtimes), Molly balances her dignified demeanor with bursts of playful energy—wrestling, running at top speed, and what staff affectionately call "borking" throughout the day.

Then there's Georgia, who arrived from the streets of Korea via Niagara Dog Rescue  with a simple life philosophy: "Don't think—sparkle." The younger of the pair brings an infectious enthusiasm that keeps the office energy high and reminds everyone not to take work too seriously.

The Brown girls serve as unofficial emotional support animals for the entire Toronto team, shadowing Anne throughout the day and creating a welcoming committee that no human receptionist could match. Their sweet temperaments and playful interactions with each other and visiting office dogs have made them beloved fixtures in the workplace.

But their impact reaches far beyond office morale. Molly joined Anne's family during an especially challenging time—right after Anne's breast cancer diagnosis five years ago. Through treatment and recovery, Molly ensured Anne maintained daily walks and brought much-needed emotional lifting during difficult days. Anne believes Molly's arrival even extended the life of their senior dog Murphy Brown by another four years through her companionship.

Georgia, meanwhile, has taught Anne valuable life lessons in her short time with the family. "Georgie has taught me not to take myself so seriously and that sometimes you just gotta do what you feel," Anne shares.

True to their zodiac signs—Aries for the determined Molly and Cancer for the emotionally intuitive Georgia—these iconic siblings complement each other perfectly. Molly's notorious side-eye balances Georgia's occasionally vacant stare, while their treat preferences reveal their relationship dynamic: Molly loves carrots, while Georgia simply wants "whatever Molly has."

Sometimes the most meaningful relationships begin in the most unexpected ways. For Caitlyn, our Influencer Marketing and Community Engagement Specialist, that life-changing connection started with a leap of faith—agreeing to adopt a 12lb Chihuahua mix from a Montreal kill shelter, sight unseen, who was scheduled for euthanasia the very next day.

Now 6 years old, Moxie (a suspected Chihuahua-Corgi blend) made her journey from Montreal to Toronto thanks to the dedicated volunteers at Freedom Drivers , who transported her to meet Caitlyn for the first time. Their beginning was admittedly rocky—Moxie arrived terrified of nearly everything in her new environment. But those challenging early days only strengthened the extraordinary bond they now share.

Moxie has developed very specific outdoor preferences—she absolutely loves sunny walks and nature trails, even embracing stifling summer heat, but draws a firm line when the temperature drops below 5 degrees, refusing to step outside. On those chillier days, she transforms into an enthusiastic shopping companion at dog-friendly stores instead. According to Caitlyn, IKEA  ranks as Moxie's personal favorite retail destination.

When she's not helping Caitlyn select home furnishings, Moxie enjoys mastering new tricks, basking in patches of sunshine, savoring her favorite bully sticks (with a side of parmesan cheese), and making occasional appearances at our Toronto office where she's become quite the celebrity.

The bond between Caitlyn and Moxie runs exceptionally deep—so much so that Moxie seems to have influenced Caitlyn's entire career path. "I do feel that I at least somewhat owe my employment to Moxie," Caitlyn explains, "because the reason I sought out this company was because of my love for her, and that in itself has completely changed my life."

Moxie came into Caitlyn's life during a challenging period in university when mental health struggles were making daily routines difficult. As Caitlyn's constant supporter and "#1 fan," Moxie provided structure and emotional support that helped turn things around. Even now, the simple act of taking breaks throughout the workday for Moxie's walks has become an essential part of Caitlyn's mental health maintenance.

True to her Pisces nature, Moxie is emotionally complex—although Caitlyn notes that the zodiac comparison only goes so far, as Moxie isn't particularly known for kindness or empathy toward those outside her inner circle. In fact, her biggest "red flag" is her tendency to give "everyone except her mom a little bite if they try to pet her," cementing her reputation as a one-person dog.

If Moxie were an ice cream flavor, there's no question she'd be jalapeño—small but packing an unexpected kick that commands respect.

Follow Moxie's city adventures on Instagram at @moxietoronto .

At 13 years old, Baby has earned her status as the wise elder of the Puppy Sphere pack. As Victoria, our New York Operations Manager explains, Baby earned her name by being the youngest in a big family—their dad knew she would always be "the baby of the house," and the name stuck.

Don't let her age fool you, though. This senior pup takes her unofficial role as office security very seriously. When she accompanies Victoria to work, Baby starts the day calmly positioned by Victoria's desk, but transforms into a dedicated greeter once classes begin. "She is right there greeting every guest (and I really mean every single one) and sniffing them out like a TSA security dog," Victoria shares with pride.

Baby defies the typical dog categorization—she's "more human than dog" according to Victoria. Her knack for reading social cues and situations is uncanny; she'll follow you around the office, sizing you up before determining if you're worthy of her ultimate endorsement: laying by your feet.

Despite her advancing years, Baby maintains her enthusiasm for life's simple pleasures: blueberries (her favorite treat), peanut butter, extended belly rubs, and the occasional game of fetch—though Victoria notes with amusement that returning the toy remains an optional part of the game in Baby's rulebook.

Perhaps most endearing is Baby's genuine love for snow. When winter blankets New York, she stands outside in peaceful contemplation, enjoying the chilly air and snowflakes landing on her nose before creating trails of paw prints and, inevitably, sampling the snow as a seasonal snack.

The relationship between Victoria and Baby transcends ordinary pet ownership. "My favorite part of the day is when Baby gets into her pink bed right beside mine," Victoria says. "When she lays in it, she's telling me—'girl, go to sleep, I'm tired.'" This nightly routine, complete with Baby's distinctive snoring ("louder than a human"), bookends days that begin and end together. "We wake up together and we go to sleep together. She's my best friend," Victoria adds.

Baby has been Victoria's constant companion through life's ups and downs—somehow knowing when emotional support is needed and offering silent comfort. "She's taught me how to love without words," Victoria reflects, adding that as Baby ages, "loving takes new forms" through the challenges of senior dog care.

True to her Scorpio nature, Baby embodies loyalty and deep emotions, though she's not without her "red flags"—either rummaging through trash with an air of innocence or, more amusingly, barking confidently at dogs several times her size, convinced she could take them on if necessary.

If Baby were an ice cream flavor? Cookies and cream, of course—a classic comfort that never goes out of style, just like her.

Not all superheroes wear capes—some, like 10-year-old Misha, simply follow their humans everywhere with boundless energy and a notable lack of teeth. As Emily, our Breeder Account Executive describes her constant shadow, Misha combines sass and devotion in equal measure.

Despite—or perhaps because of—his dental challenges (his "biggest red flag" according to Emily), Misha has developed quite the sophisticated palate. His favorite treats? The classic combination of bacon and cheese, showing that even without teeth, one can maintain discriminating taste.

The bond between Emily and Misha goes beyond typical pet-owner dynamics. "He is my soulmate, my partner in crime," Emily shares with heartfelt simplicity before adding, "I would die without him"—a sentiment that perfectly captures the profound connection many of us feel with our pups.

True to his Cancer zodiac sign ("OBVI," as Emily emphatically notes), Misha embodies the emotional depth and loyalty characteristic of this water sign. His emotional intelligence allows him to pick up on Emily's needs, creating a synchronized partnership that feels predestined.

If Misha were an ice cream flavor, he'd undoubtedly be mint chocolate chip—distinctive, somewhat polarizing, and utterly unforgettable. "Some love him, some don't," Emily explains, but that's precisely what makes Misha special. Like his ice cream counterpart, he makes no apologies for his unique personality.

While Misha doesn't have his own Instagram presence (Emily laments he's "not cool enough" for that yet), his influence extends far beyond social media metrics. His unwavering companionship and vibrant personality have made him an integral part of Emily's life—a living example of how the simplest relationship can become the most profound.

Sometimes the most meaningful relationships begin with a simple "yes." When Trishelle, our Public Relations & Customer Specialist, agreed to temporarily foster a dog named "Coco" as a favor to a friend, she had no idea she was actually saying yes to a decade of companionship.

Trishelle already had a beloved rescue Chihuahua named Chewie at the time. Having experienced the profound connection that comes with giving a home to a rescued animal, the idea of helping another pup—even just temporarily—felt natural. But plans quickly changed when something unexpectedly clicked between them.

"From the moment he stepped into my life, something felt different," Trishelle recalls. "Within just a few days, I knew he wasn't going anywhere." She had become what rescue organizations affectionately call a "foster fail"—perhaps the most beautiful kind of failure there is.

The little dog's original name didn't seem to capture his unique personality. A fan of the animated series Rick and Morty at the time, Trishelle found the name "Morty" perfectly suited his quirky charm and outlook on life. And so, Morty officially became family.

Ten years later, that intuitive decision has proven to be one of the most meaningful of Trishelle's life. "Morty has been by my side through some of the most important transitions of my life. We've truly grown up together," she shares. "No matter what season I'm in, he's always there, steady, loyal, and full of love."

Like many of our team dogs, Morty has had to adapt to changes as he ages. After a recent surgery, he no longer has teeth and primarily eats soft food. While he can't enjoy his once-favorite Open Farm dehydrated treats anymore, he lives for special occasions when Trishelle treats him to soft bites of steak—"his little luxury," as she calls it.

Despite his small stature, Morty possesses the confidence of a much larger canine. His biggest "red flag" is his tendency to bark at other dogs, acting "like he's 100 pounds of pure muscle when, really, he's just a little guy with a lot of opinions."

Though Morty's exact birth date remains a mystery, Trishelle believes he embodies the quintessential Aries spirit—"fiery, fearless, full of energy, and definitely with a flair for the dramatic. But he's also incredibly sweet, loyal, and full of love. A little firecracker with a heart of gold."

What began as a temporary arrangement has blossomed into a decade of adventure, companionship, and profound connection. As Trishelle beautifully puts it: "He may have come to me by chance, but it feels like fate."

As we celebrate National Pet Day, we're grateful not just for the joy these dogs bring to our offices, but for how they've shaped our team members' lives beyond work. Whether they're providing emotional support through difficult times, creating structure through daily routines, or simply offering a warm welcome at the Toronto office door, these pups have become essential to who we are as a company.