Dogs aren't just pets. They're family. People e-mail me their doggie snapshots. When my friend Cindy, who is a lawyer, got her cocker spaniel, Kairos, she took a month of puppy leave and worked at home.

Are you still off work for puppy-leave?

There are no statistics revealing how many of us indulge in "peternity" leave. But, clearly, for many in the doggie set, it's de rigueur. And though we may claim it's about housetraining and practical issues, it's really more a matter of bonding and emotion.