Much like with smells, sounds travel easily in apartment buildings. You'll have to consider your neighbors below, above, and those on the other side of shared walls. Think about the following: Your dog might bark when you're not home, disturbing your neighbors. You and your dog might cause a lot of noise if you play inside. While throwing a ball in your living room in a single family home might seem like no problem at all, the associated noise in an apartment building will certainly disturb your neighbors. Any other noise that might be related to your pet that could potentially disturb your neighbors. Most apartment communities require that you inform them of the type and breed of pet before you move in. If you don't clear it with your landlord, you could face fines, fees, or even eviction. Consider the following when looking to acquire a new pet or picking an apartment community: Whether the community allows dogs or cats. The size or weight limit of pets allowed in the community. Breed restrictions for the community or even the county or municipality. The number of pets your community will allow. Most apartment communities require a vet reference and documents detailing vaccinations. If your pet is not up to date on his/her vaccinations, you need to consider this, and be ready to get him/her vaccinated before you move in. Make sure to be signed up with a local vet who has your complete file on hand Make sure to have vaccination documentation on hand, as most apartment communities require these before they will approve your pet. Make sure to have references from vets, neighbors, or former landlords who will vouch that your pet is well-kept and well-behaved. If you have a dog, you should purchase baggies and be prepared to pick up your dog's waste every time it poops. There are a number of reasons for this: Respect your neighbors. You want to keep your apartment community looking and smelling nice. Respect your neighbors and maintenance workers who don't want to step in dog poop. You could face fines from the apartment community if you don't pick up your dog poop. Apartment communities are unique in that you'll be living in relatively close proximity to other people. Smells can often travel through hallways and from one apartment to another. As a result, you want to make sure you clean your litter box regularly in order to prevent your neighbors from also living with the smell of your cat. The central feature of apartment communities is shared space. As a result, you don't want to be letting your dog or cat roam freely in your community. Keep your dog on a leash, and keep your cat inside (unless you want to walk him/her on a leash, too). There are a number of reasons for this: Some pet owners, although required to by the community, might not vaccinate their pets. Letting your pet roam would make him/her more vulnerable to parasites and other illnesses. One of your neighbors might accidentally hit your pet with their car. Your cat or dog might get into a fight with another cat or dog. Some dogs and/or cats are very nervous when they meet new people. You want to make sure that your dog or cat won't attack or be overly aggressive to neighbors or unsuspecting maintenance workers. Consider enrolling your dog in obedient school. Train your dog to not lunge, growl, or bark at people on the street. Although you shouldn't let your cat roam in the first place, if your cat tends to escape frequently, make sure he or she is not aggressive. This will help minimize potentially costly or harmful cat fights.

Summary: Be a considerate neighbor when it comes to noise. Clear your pet with the landlord before you move in or bring home a new pet. Be prepared to present your landlord with a vet reference and associated documentation. Clean up after your dog. Clean up after your cat. Avoid letting your pet roam the neighborhood. Socialize your dog or cat.

Does he blow a gasket if someone calls in sick for anything short of Ebola? Does she grouse about notices by text or email instead of a phone call? Use these observations to help you determine when and how to call in sick. Fear of upsetting the boss by calling in sick is one reason why the average American worker takes five sick days per year, even though he/she is entitled to eight or nine. In the best case scenario, you'll find your fears eased because your boss actually responds quite reasonably to legitimate sick day requests. In the worst-case scenario, you'll find that you're going to have to be insistent and persistent to secure a sick day, even when you really need it. If you're lucky, your boss may be fine with a sick-day text or email (see samples below in this article). Realistically, though, you're probably going to have to go through an actual, person-to-person phone conversation. In most instances, calling in sick attaches greater respect, seriousness, and legitimacy to your request. Deciding when to call is important as well. You don't want to call too early you might wake your boss up, or give the impression that you didn't even give coming in to work a chance. However, calling too late may be deemed disrespectful for leaving everyone in the lurch by your last-minute absence. The best time to call is usually sometime between when you normally wake up and when you leave for work. This says "I tried, but it's obvious it's just not happening today." Yes, your boss wants to get the feeling that you're actually sick, but no, he/she does not need the gory details of your morning spent bent over the toilet. Be clear, direct, and brief in explaining why you need to stay home. By knowing your boss and how he or she responds to sick day requests, you'll have a better idea of how much detail you need to provide regarding your particular illness, symptoms, etc. Unless you're certain of your phone acting skills, faking or exacerbating symptoms for effect is probably not a good idea. You're more likely to elicit suspicion than sympathy if your "scratchy voice" or "persistent cough" sound manufactured, even if you actually have those symptoms in a milder form. Apologize for the inconvenience, but don't feel guilty if you are truly sick and unable to come in. Remember, you are actually doing everyone a favor. You don't need to give everyone explicit details about how sick you were, or play up your remaining symptoms as proof of why you stayed home the day before. (On the other hand, you probably shouldn't act like you feel better than ever, either.) Instead, a little extra common courtesy is in order. Be appreciative of any efforts made to pick up the slack in your absence, and apologetic for any inconveniences you caused. Likewise, show you care about your co-workers' health by practicing exemplary hygiene upon returning. Wash your hands like you're a surgeon heading into the O.R., and pump that hand sanitizer bottle on your desk until it's empty. Declare war on any remaining contagion you may have.
Summary: Observe your boss's response to sick days. Assume that you need to call in. Don't milk it. Be thoughtful when you return to work.