Pet of the Week: Rocky Sticks His Paw Into the Tile Business
This pup never misses a chance to go into the office to hang out with his work friends, both human and canine
This Minnesota tile-making company appreciates having a few extra helpers — and their paws — around the office. One of those helpers is Rocky, a fun-loving, paw-printing studio pup.
On the job: Rocky helps Shaw stay grounded and level during the workday. He also provides love and laughter to everyone else and is an expert at greeting showroom guests. But if you haven’t seen him walking around in a while, he’s probably off by the tile-making table taking a nap.
Favorite project: Rocky once got to add his paw prints to tiles for a kitchen backsplash. The client met Rocky when she visited the tile studio, and she fell in love with him. She later asked the staff whether it would be possible to get a subway tile personalized by Rocky for her kitchen backsplash. Everyone liked the idea, including Rocky.
See more of the company’s handmade tile projects
Favorite project: Rocky once got to add his paw prints to tiles for a kitchen backsplash. The client met Rocky when she visited the tile studio, and she fell in love with him. She later asked the staff whether it would be possible to get a subway tile personalized by Rocky for her kitchen backsplash. Everyone liked the idea, including Rocky.
See more of the company’s handmade tile projects
Favorite part of the workday: Rocky enjoys any part of the day that involves food, especially lunch, because of the treats he gets from his human friends. He also makes sure he is around when freight shipments arrive because the truck drivers like to see him and give him treats.
Break time: To get a break from the office, Rocky goes on walks with Shaw around the neighborhood, the Northeast Arts District in Minneapolis.
Payment method: It’s no surprise that for a job well done, Rocky craves a treat. He’s especially fond of Steak Grillers.
Off the clock: Rocky, who spends a good portion of the workday napping, burns off a lot of energy outside. He is trained in pulling and does urban sledding with Shaw. During the nonwinter months, they do urban mushing, such as scooter joring, or go swimming in the Mississippi River.
Break time: To get a break from the office, Rocky goes on walks with Shaw around the neighborhood, the Northeast Arts District in Minneapolis.
Payment method: It’s no surprise that for a job well done, Rocky craves a treat. He’s especially fond of Steak Grillers.
Off the clock: Rocky, who spends a good portion of the workday napping, burns off a lot of energy outside. He is trained in pulling and does urban sledding with Shaw. During the nonwinter months, they do urban mushing, such as scooter joring, or go swimming in the Mississippi River.
Meet all the studio pups: Rocky isn’t the only dog walking around at Mercury Mosaics and Tile. Blair, the black poodle, routinely hangs out in the tile-making department with Rocky. The other two — Sadie, a German shepherd-whippet mix, and Laney, a rat terrier mix — spend time in the office alongside the sales and design teams.
Although they are free to roam during the day, these pups tend to stick near their owners, unless a friendly guest walks through the door. Then they race to be the first welcoming face anyone sees.
“Our studio would not be the same without our studio pups,” says Kristen Emerick, the company’s creative director. “The love and happy energy they bring with them on a daily basis make our days brighter.”
Could your pet be a Pet of the Week? We’re looking for all kinds of pets — cats, dogs, hamsters, turtles, fish — that join their owners on the job, pets that may have a space built just for them, or simply a fantastic photo of your pet in an interesting home setting. Post your best photo in the Comments and tell us your pet’s story.
Read more about pets and design
Although they are free to roam during the day, these pups tend to stick near their owners, unless a friendly guest walks through the door. Then they race to be the first welcoming face anyone sees.
“Our studio would not be the same without our studio pups,” says Kristen Emerick, the company’s creative director. “The love and happy energy they bring with them on a daily basis make our days brighter.”
Could your pet be a Pet of the Week? We’re looking for all kinds of pets — cats, dogs, hamsters, turtles, fish — that join their owners on the job, pets that may have a space built just for them, or simply a fantastic photo of your pet in an interesting home setting. Post your best photo in the Comments and tell us your pet’s story.
Read more about pets and design
Pet at a Glance
Pets: Rocky, an Alaskan malamute
Age: 4
Location: Minneapolis
Owner: Zak Shaw, deputy studio manager at Mercury Mosaics and Tile
Meet Rocky: For the past three years, Rocky has joined Shaw at the office pretty much every day. He does not like being away from his owner and work friends.