This morning I got a great flashback to the very, very early days of Pooches. This day started with the news that one of my fabulous employees was ill and not going to be there for open. Now, this really isn't the best news in the world as opening our business is a busy time what with getting all of the boarding dogs cared for before we open our doors to our daycare clients. But with my other fabulous (I think I will use that word to describe them a lot here...get used to it!) employees already on the job, I pulled into the parking lot in good spirits. You see, when an employee is out, that means I get to abandon all of the "co-owner of the business" duties and get right back to my hug-dogs-get-slimed-clean-up-poop-hang-with-the-pack roots.
Lawanna and I talk about this often--how great it is to get back into the rings and remember exactly why we started this business in the first place. Simply stated, we love dogs. We love them a great deal. We love hanging out with them, playing with them, training them, playing referee while they play, and yes, we even love cleaning up after them--we just love it all. In Pooches' infancy it was just me, Lawanna and one other employee. It's almost hard to imagine those days now. Lawanna and I would come open the daycare together, braving the early alarm clocks day in and day out. I don't mind telling you that I do LOVE having a fabulous (see!) staff of employees who now allow the boss ladies to have some sleep-in time on alternating days (though I'm not sure either of us understands the concept of "sleep in" with the herd of dogs at each of our respective homes!). I will say, however, that the days when I get to dive right back in with the dogs as they arrive for a day of fun always prove to be some of the best days I have during the week. The dogs come through the door with tails wagging in anticipation of great play. They greet us with enthusiasm and affection that we readily return. And yes, they can be a bit rambunctious, but that's great too. We love seeing the early dogs expend their initial burst of energy and then settle into a nice day of fun and games.
It's safe to say this is not the job for everyone, but I love it. I had the BEST time playing with my dogs in the ring this morning. Some of the dogs were longtime friends, like Ajax and Cash who have been with us pretty much since our start, and some were newer buddies like John and Oscar. Old and new alike formed a great play bunch and we just had fun. That's what it's all about. Seeing the dogs have fun. So thank you to my under-the-weather employee (who did rally by midday! FABULOUS!) for allowing me to revisit the early days of Pooches once again. I had such fun...and then everyone arrived for their respective shifts and pretty much booted me back out to bossdom once again. Life is really good when "work" is something you truly love.
Lawanna and I talk about this often--how great it is to get back into the rings and remember exactly why we started this business in the first place. Simply stated, we love dogs. We love them a great deal. We love hanging out with them, playing with them, training them, playing referee while they play, and yes, we even love cleaning up after them--we just love it all. In Pooches' infancy it was just me, Lawanna and one other employee. It's almost hard to imagine those days now. Lawanna and I would come open the daycare together, braving the early alarm clocks day in and day out. I don't mind telling you that I do LOVE having a fabulous (see!) staff of employees who now allow the boss ladies to have some sleep-in time on alternating days (though I'm not sure either of us understands the concept of "sleep in" with the herd of dogs at each of our respective homes!). I will say, however, that the days when I get to dive right back in with the dogs as they arrive for a day of fun always prove to be some of the best days I have during the week. The dogs come through the door with tails wagging in anticipation of great play. They greet us with enthusiasm and affection that we readily return. And yes, they can be a bit rambunctious, but that's great too. We love seeing the early dogs expend their initial burst of energy and then settle into a nice day of fun and games.
It's safe to say this is not the job for everyone, but I love it. I had the BEST time playing with my dogs in the ring this morning. Some of the dogs were longtime friends, like Ajax and Cash who have been with us pretty much since our start, and some were newer buddies like John and Oscar. Old and new alike formed a great play bunch and we just had fun. That's what it's all about. Seeing the dogs have fun. So thank you to my under-the-weather employee (who did rally by midday! FABULOUS!) for allowing me to revisit the early days of Pooches once again. I had such fun...and then everyone arrived for their respective shifts and pretty much booted me back out to bossdom once again. Life is really good when "work" is something you truly love.
I recognize that stripe! That's my Zoe! (sniff) she misses you all very very much! (us too)
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