A Rescue Dog Rescued Me
I taught Kindergarten and preschool for many years and I really loved what I was doing. I think I enjoyed teaching young ones so much because I was such a kid at heart. I loved the play dough and any other goop we could all put our hands in to create all sort of things, even a wild thing or two. (After reading "Where the Wild Things Are" to the class) The joy I found in teaching ended abruptly when my daughter was killed by a drunk driver. Truth is I found no joy in anything. I could not enter that classroom and face those children that needed so much when I had nothing to give. I was hollow inside.
All those around me could see that I wasn't dealing with my grieve very well. Days without a shower, not leaving the home, deep soul wrenching crying and never ending pain. Then a miracle, my son gave me a rescue dog, Brooklyn. With that the long road back to the light out of the darkness began. Brooklyn never left my side. He was there to lick my tears at 3AM or any other time. I'd pull him to me and sob into his fur for hours. He was always there to comfort me. Slowly, with the unconditional love of Brooklyn, I came into the light and realized I could live again even though my beautiful daughter was no longer by my side. I wanted to take care of dogs just as my dog had taken care of me.I also wanted to care for cats and other small pets. (I've had cats, birds, turtles, hampsters. dogs, frogs, and a skunk as pets. I even took care of a Spider Monkey once)
Because of my daughter and my dog a new business was born. I decided I wanted to be a pet sitter and dog walker. DON'T for one minute think that starting your own pet sitting and dog walking business is easy. I hear all the time, "I love animals, I think I'll start a pet sitting business". Loving animals is not enough. You have to have some knowledge of marketing, you have to have the ability to meet with clients and have them trust you. (After all, they are giving you the key to their home and trusting you to care for their precious pets) I've given up weekends, holidays, worked as much as 7 weeks without a day off, walked 11 dogs in one day for weeks, slept with dogs, and on and on.Dog Walking 11 dogs in one day sure can zap your enrgy. I was dog tired. Would I change it? Not on your life.
Thanks for letting me share my story about pet sitting~Debbie
