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- Crisis Management

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12 May, 2026

Books and thinkers I recommend most often

Greyfriars Bobby is a dog whose name I carry in my

Greyfriars Bobby is a dog whose name I carry in my heart, as I suspect all dogs do. He was a small terrier who lived in Edinburgh in the 19th century. When his owner, John Gray, died and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Bobby did what any of us would do, if we could. He stayed. For fourteen years, he kept vigil at that grave. He was still there when he died himself, in 1872, aged sixteen.
The Scots thought so much of this that they gave him a statue. His headstone reads: Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all.
I think about that phrase often, particularly lately.
The humans at Pesel & Carr have lost people they loved. Some of these losses are recent. Some are older wounds, the kind that don’t announce themselves loudly but simply become part of the shape of you, a space where someone used to be. I notice it in the quiet moments. I am, after all, very observant. It is one of the advantages of having excellent hearing and no meetings to attend.
Grief is not something dogs do differently from humans, really. Humans and pets carry the ones we love in some internal place that doesn’t have a name but that everyone who has loved someone lost recognises immediately.
Bobby didn’t guard that grave because he was told to. He did it because he didn’t know what else to do with all that love.
I understand this.
The best any of us can do is remember. Keep the people we’ve lost present: in the stories we tell, the habits they gave us, the way they changed how we move through the world. Memory is not the consolation prize for loss. It is, I would argue, the whole point of having loved someone in the first place.
Hold them close. Tell their stories. Let Bobby’s loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all.
Woof, with love — Louis

I came across an article this week that said human

I came across an article this week that said humans aren’t always great at telling when dogs are in pain. You’re generally good at spotting the obvious signs, but the quieter ones can slip past. Things like yawning, lip or nose licking, looking away, or blinking a bit more than usual.
To be fair, we don’t always make it easy. Not everything is dramatic. Often it’s small signals, easy to miss if you’re not really paying attention.
It did get me thinking about communication more broadly. The important stuff is rarely just what’s said out loud. It’s tone, body language, timing, and all the subtle cues in between. Whether you’ve got two legs or four, being understood often comes down to whether someone is actually noticing.
When someone takes the time to read those quieter signals, it changes everything.
So here’s the takeaway from your Culture Manager. Pay attention to the small things. Check in. Look twice. The best communication usually isn’t the loudest, it’s the most attentive.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have rounds to do and morale to maintain.
— Louis

I saw an article on the ABC on how dogs tune into

I saw an article on the ABC on how dogs tune into human emotion and behaviour (yes I am that smart). It rings true, especially in a team environment like ours. Dogs aren’t just here for pats and snacks. They’re scanning the room all the time, picking up subtle gestures, shifts in tone, little changes in body language that most people miss. They’re not mind-readers, but they are observant. They notice when someone’s tense or distracted. They can smell changes in our chemistry — that’s a real thing, not just dog myth. In the office, I see that play out every day. When the energy is focused and calm, I settle in, head up, ears forward, and give my full attention. When there’s stress or chatter or someone on a call who’s clearly overwhelmed, I take a step back, offer a soft look, maybe a nuzzle to signal ease. I’m not judging. I’m responding. Same as Muster Dogs on the farm — attuned to the handler, ready to adapt — just with fewer sheep and more screens. Dogs don’t just react to cues. We use them to shape how we get along with people. That’s a two-way street. People train their dogs, sure. But every dog in this office has trained their humans to some degree too — when it’s time for break, when it’s time to unwind, when the mood could use a reset. I’m not saying we’re psychic. But I am saying that sensitivity to mood and energy isn’t fluff. It’s real dog sense. And it makes this team operate a little smoother, because when the humans are tuned in, we are too.
— Louis

Here’s to a pause well earned. After a year th

Here’s to a pause well earned.

After a year that asked a lot of everyone, we hope you find time over the festive season for rest, connection and the small moments that make it meaningful.

We’re grateful for the trust our clients placed in us this year and for the work we’ve shared, and we look forward to reconnecting in January.

Wishing you a safe, gentle and restorative break.

This year, we're sharing a gentle Christmas story.

This year, we're sharing a gentle Christmas story.

A gentle Christmas story about Louis the poodle and a curious quokka, that reminds us that different ways of thinking can work beautifully together, especially after a big year.

Link in our stories.

An open letter to Louis, our esteemed Culture Mana

An open letter to Louis, our esteemed Culture Manager.

Dear Louis,

Today, on International Dog Day, we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge just how much you mean to the team here at Pesel & Carr.

You are more than a colleague; you are a polite, kind, and warm presence who brightens our days in ways only a Standard Poodle can.

You check in on us multiple times a day, making sure we’re okay, and offering a bump from your snoot just when we need it most. You insist we get up and move, ensuring we take breaks and enjoy the simple pleasure of a walk. Your gentle nature is matched by a bark that makes us feel safe and protected, reminding us that even the smallest gestures can carry great comfort.

Thank you for bringing joy, calm, and a little bit of structure to our days. Today, we celebrate you, not just as a dog, but as our Culture Manager, our motivator, and our friend.

With gratitude,
The Team at Pesel & Carr

An open letter to Krypto, from @superman Dear Kryp

An open letter to Krypto, from @superman
Dear Krypto,

I recently attended a screening of your cinematic appearance in Superman. I dressed appropriately (the Tiffany blue collar, naturally), settled into a reclining seat with a duck confit popcorn (air-popped, no butter), and was quite looking forward to seeing a fellow canine uphold the noble traditions of dog hood on the big screen.

Imagine my horror.

You destroyed priceless technology. You refused basic commands. You sprinted about the Fortress of Solitude as though it were an off-lead dog park in Preston. One cannot help but ask: where was your training? Your discipline? Your manners?

I understand, of course, that you are a being of considerable power, and that such strength may tempt one to chaos. But good dogs – great dogs – do not confuse ability with licence. We are not squirrels, dear boy.

May I recommend a return to some gentlemanly manners. I’m sure even Supergirl would appreciate a little less carnage and a little more impulse control.

As a standard poodle, I take pride in being meticulously behaved. I help run a communications agency, attend meetings, and have never once eaten a USB cord. I am told I am “a good colleague” and “a gentle presence”. These are titles I wear with pride.

You, too, could be a well-mannered boy, Krypto. But only if you choose it.

Yours in civility,

Louis
Culture Manager,
Pesel & Carr

It’s Take Your Dog to Work Day today, but for us

It’s Take Your Dog to Work Day today, but for us, every day is Louis Day!

Whether it’s a lunchtime walk, a moment of calm in a busy day, or just that gentle nudge reminding us to step outside and soak up the sun Louis is always there, supporting the team in his own perfect way.

Today, we celebrated him with a well-earned treat and lots of pats.

Louis, you are a very good boy. 💙

#TakeYourDogToWorkDay

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