My dogsitting days

About six years ago, I started to add “dogsitter” to Yoga teacher when someone would ask me what I do.

I started dogsitting because I had recently separated from my husband and I wanted to make some extra cash and stay busy. It was a very casual and quick decision. I had often dogsat for my friends and I used to be obsessed with watching “The Dog Whisperer” (even though I had never owned a dog), so I felt prepared.

I logged in to dogvacay.com and soon I became a pretty busy dogsitter.

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The first year was a struggle.

One day I was taking care of a big puppy, and went out for an errand. When I came home my living room looked like a burglar turned the place upside down. I learned my lesson to not take care of puppies anymore.

I usually went to Japan to spend the holidays with my family, but I decided to stay home because it’s the busy season for dogsitting. I remember I had five dogs that first holiday season. Four out of five were pretty high-maintenance dogs and I was so overwhelmed that at one point I just sat on my kitchen floor and cried. I promised myself I would never take care of so many dogs at the same time.

But just like anything you practice long enough, I started to get used to the job and became more confident and comfortable. I soon broke my promise and was often taking care of five dogs or more.

It didn’t take me a long time to notice how this job I impulsively started had become a way for me to become healthier and happier. I fell deeply in love with walking the dogs and deeply in love with the dogs.

I love you Hobie. You healed me so much.

I love you Hobie. You healed me so much.

This sad time in my life was filled with laughter and love and joy because of these dogs. It was the therapy I needed when I needed it and I was the one getting paid!

When my dogsitting calendar became mostly empty because of the coronavirus, it was the first chance I had to reflect on what this job did for me. At the same time it kept me busy and happy and healthy, this break was a good time to notice how I might have shoved sad feelings inside and avoided feeling them.

Busy dogsitting days came when I needed it and quiet reflective time came when I needed that. I love how you can look back and see how situations work out, especially if you try to see it that way.

I’m not sure if I’d go back to those busy dogsitting days again, but now I know I want a dog of my own.

No other dog has made me laugh so much. I love you Kona!

No other dog has made me laugh so much. I love you Kona!

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