In mid-November the Team at EAN sadly had to farewell one of its own, our beloved office pooch Mac.

Mac succumbed to cancer after a 4 month battle but was a regular feature in the office right up until the end.

Aged just nine and a half, Mac was our longest serving member of the team outside of Natasha and Jonathan. Indeed, in many respects, he gave more than any of us could possibly imagine or hope to match in our lifetimes. Mac first started coming to the office as a young pup so, essentially, he dedicated almost his entire life to the organisation.

Much has been said, written and debated of the benefits of having dogs in the workplace, but we are very firm believers in the many positive impacts that come from having dogs mingling with staff during the day. Dogs bring out the humanity in people, enabling them to be their best versions of themselves. As a result, they increase staff morale and help to moderate some of the extremes of human behaviour which are sometimes not so savoury.

Mac was such a dog. An enormous gentle giant, he was so caring and loving of all staff and the vast majority of visitors. But he did have a tendency to terrify couriers and delivery people – not intentionally, just through his sheer presence and stature. Thankfully, over the years, most of our regular delivery people got to know him and realise he was just a very big cuddly softy.

About 14 months ago a second dog joined our regular office fraternity, a small Bordoodle (we know, a strange name for an even stranger dog eventuating from the crossing of a miniature poodle with a Border Collie). Thankfully Mac was with us long enough for Bailey to learn most of the ropes in terms of life at EAN, but also in terms of office etiquette. He is still prone to a bit of exuberance and some totally inappropriate barking, but mainly he is just content making his way around the office and ensuring the wellbeing of all the different staff throughout the day, in between periods of acting cute, playing with toys or sleeping.

Mac was a very special and unique animal, at times more human than dog, and an amazingly tolerant and caring companion. Bailey has very big paws to fill, but we are sure he will cope well. In the meantime, we will all miss our dear departed furry friend but hold onto the many great memories we have of him and what he brought to everyone who had the privilege of ever coming to work with him at EAN.