TODAY viewers and staff wrote letters to
their pets sharing what they want them
to know as they leave home to go back to work.
We want Kona to know that his humans are missing his snuggles very much. Oh, and don’t eat the rugs, socks and underwear.
Laura, age 44, Springfield, Virginia
We are really going to work this time! (since anytime we leave we say “going to work.”) We will think about you every moment and watch you in the puppy cams.
LeAnn, age 41, Cayce, South Carolina
Good morning Hadley,
I am sorry for the early alarm. My, how we have grown since the 4 a.m. wake-up calls you once insisted on as a puppy. Your luxury of sleeping in is, unfortunately over. Commuter life is real, and you are not exempt.
There will be days I will struggle to walk you around our neighborhood at 5 a.m., and in those moments, try to remind me it was a good choice to move to the suburbs. You love nature!
But not to worry, your stay-at-home dad will take good care. He will feed you, walk you and let you nap on his toes. Of course, this will undoubtedly increase my fear you like your dad more than me. I will have to find new ways to make this up to you.
I haven’t been able to convince your dad to get us a puppy cam, but I am persistent. The puppy cam is the technology of choice to pretend I can communicate with you directly since your dad stops answering my FaceTimes every hour.
Is there someone working on doggy texts? It would certainly help my anxiety on the train ride home.
Don’t worry, Hadley, you’ll be great.
Me? I am not so sure,
With love and kisses,
Chelsea, aka Mom
Chelsea, NBC News producer, age 31, Westwood, New Jersey
Dear Zadie,
If I could talk to you and have you understand English for just 5 minutes, here’s what I’d want you to know:
You never have to worry that I won’t come back when I leave. I promise every time I step out of the house, I’m thinking about how to get back to you as soon as possible, OK?
Don’t tell my humans, but you are literally my best friend. You increased the joy in my life by a thousandfold, and I am already a naturally happy person. Thank you for making me smile and laugh a million times a day. I work only so that someday I can give you the backyard you deserve.
Since you’re losing your own full-time job of distracting me by being so adorable that I must cross the room to pet you every 5 minutes, why not rediscover your toy box? I spent so much money on the chewy toys you ignore, and we’re trying to save up for a backyard, remember?
Forever saving the last bite of my dinner for you,
Emily
Emily, TODAY writer, age 32, Brooklyn, New York
My sweet Missy,
I’m going to miss you so much when I go back to the office. From having you sleeping at my feet or sneaking in some snuggles while I’m on a call, you’ve made my pandemic time at home so enjoyable. You are the best fur baby ever. But also the jig is up — I now know you sleep about 21 hours per day! Hopefully when I’m in the office, you can be dreaming that you’re sleeping at my feet!
Laura, age 44, St. Louis, Missouri
Ledo,
I hate to wake you up from your nap, but if you haven't already noticed, you don't have to climb the stairs to sleep under my desk anymore. I wish I could take you to the office with me to sleep under my desk there — I know everyone would love you as much as I do!
Deb, Pana, Illinois
I like y’all a lot more than the people I have to deal with. You behave better than them on your worst days. I appreciate your input during conference calls. You’re more fun to play tug of war with. I’ll be happy to see you when I get home, and you will absolutely make me feel better. But I know you’ll enjoy having the house to yourself.
Jeanna, age 57, Phoenix, Arizona
Dear Foo,
I know, Foo bear, I will miss you too. But you can finally get a good comfy nap in again. And I promise we will still take nature walks and share our lunches.
XOXO, ta mère
Max, age 55, Collierville, Tennessee
Dear Pepper,
Listen, one of us has to work around here! And while I wish I could stay home with you forever, sadly your Instagram account (@PeppermintThePom. Take note, reader) is not bringing in any cash for things like treats and long drives to the dog-friendly beach. Just know that every moment away from you (and my couch/pajamas/personal refrigerator) is hard on me too. My co-workers do not like it when I smother them out of love — in fact, I could be fired for it! — so there is significantly less snuggling around the office. They also often ask me to do WORK, which, like, you obviously never do, thank God. But here’s the thing … I suppose it could be good for us to get some space, right?
You were stressed yesterday just sitting in the passenger seat instead of my lap! Dude, that’s some serious separation anxiety. I know we talked about this already with the dog trainer, but I feel like we should mention it again: I will always come back! Unless I’m dead, in which case you get to hang out with Grandma or Grandpa forever, and they have entire houses filled with carpet for you to pee on! Truly, a silver lining.
Love you, be right back! I promise!
Sam
Sam, TODAY.com editor, age 30, Los Angeles, California
Dear Charlie and Lily,
Pretty soon I’m going to start leaving the house each morning, and you two will be on your own for a lot of the day.
Lily remembers these times fondly — but Charlie, this might come as somewhat of a shock. Five days a week, I will actually get washed and dressed before the sun rises, and I won’t be back in time for your midday stroll to CVS. Your dad’s going to feed you breakfast and walk you before he goes to school. Everything’s going to be totally fine, just don’t let the cat bully you. She’s used to running the house, but as long as you follow her rules (stay away from her food and don’t chew on her toys) everything will be all right!
Honestly, you might even like napping in the peace and quiet! And just so you know, I’ll be counting the minutes every day until I can come home to play with you!
Lots of love,
Mom & Dad
Emily B., TODAY associate producer, age 26, New York, New York
Dear Tessa,
I just want you to know that I don’t want to go to the office, but I have to. I promise the weekdays will go fast. I’ll talk about you a lot, and when we get home, it will be all about you. We will give you all the love, play time and cuddle time you deserve and more. I will only go to the office on days I have to. We love you so much.
Donna, age 55, Virginia Beach, Virginia
I love you lots, Starlord.
You were my midlife crisis/pandemic purchase. Please know I love you and would love nothing more than to have you cuddling with me all my Zoom meetings, but I just go back to real life. Please don’t be mad at me. While I am away, please do me a solid and don’t chew up any important cords. I understand that when you are frustrated, you turn into a gremlin, but I really need you to hold it together. This is hard for all of us. Please understand my heels, Birkenstocks and purses are off limits. Remember, I will always come back, and I love you to pieces. Unfortunately, if you want to keep up your expensive squeaky toy habit, Mama has got to work.
Love you dearly sweet, Starlord!
Sara, age 39, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
Dear Bella and Zoey,
Soon I’ll be leaving the house one day a week for a few hours. But don’t worry, I’ll be home before you wake up from your afternoon nap to give you treats. The bonus is that the baby gate that has kept you, Zoey, from entering my work space will be wide open the whole day. You’re welcome!
Love both of you, Mom.
Kari, age 53, Phoenix, Arizona
Roman and Shiv,
Just months after taking you in as little kittens, you adapted to a world where your humans were home giving you all the pets 24/7, and now you don’t know any different! As I prepare to leave you alone during the day, as most cats prefer, I know our co-dependent selves will miss the nose rubs, midday snuggles and spontaneous zoomies. But it’s time for me to return to a space where I’m not talking in a baby voice for an embarrassing amount of time during the day. Now, I’ll just have to love you twice as hard when I walk through the door in the afternoons.
MC, TODAY.com editor, age 29, Brooklyn, New York