The Absent-minded Petsitter

Has this ever happened to you? My family was receiving very poor service at a busy restaurant one night. It was dinner hour and it was apparent the waiter was stressed out. Maybe a few people didn't show up for their shifts, because this waiter seemed to have just about every table in the room. He took our dinner order, eventually brought us our drinks and bread, and then forgot about us in his busyness. Although we were conversing and enjoying our bread and beverages, we were really beginning to wonder where our dinner was. Ah-hah, here comes the waiter and I think he's going to tell us our food is on it's way, but instead he says, "Would you care for dessert? No? Well here's your check. Thank you and have a nice evening." You can believe we set him straight!

I was reminded of this incident when an acquaintance told me a story about a petsitter friend of hers (it wasn't me, honest!) The petsitter had an overloaded schedule one day, but thought she could handle it. She was very preoccupied thinking about the rest of her day when she entered the house of one of her clients. She greeted the dog and petted him, glanced at the journal for any additional instructions, changed the water out, gave the dog a treat and left. As soon as she got in her car it hit her, she forgot to walk the dog!

Moral of the story? I guess it would be something like, keep your mind on your job and don't try to do more than you can honestly do well. Or maybe it's go ahead and get dessert if the waiter forgot to bring your dinner.

Punny Petsitting Names

Petsitters must be a different breed. They sure come up with some good names for their businesses. Why petsitters? Well, I think it's because we think outside the box. We have a job that's different, not part of corporate America, and therefore we can name our business whatever the heck we want. Got a catchy pun? Go for it!

pun (pŭn) n.
A play on words, sometimes on different senses of the same word and sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words.intr.v., punned, pun·ning, puns.
http://answers.com/

Here's some of my favorite petsitting business names from around the US:

Paws and Relax
Purr-Furr'd Pet Sitting
Paws To Ponder
Have Leash, Will Travel
Walking The Paws
The Furry Godmother
Clawz and Pawz
Major Mutts and Meows
Love'm and Leave'm
Fur, Feathers, Fins and Fun
Dogs Day Out
Walkin' and Waggin'
Ruff'n Purr
Magic CarPet Ride Pet Taxi
Wholly Krap (pooper scooper service)
Scoopa da Poopa

And this one wins the wackiest name: Anything But Elephants

Funny Dogs 3

Funny 3 minutes. I love the cat and dog in Christmas hats, especially the cat. If looks could kill!

Petsitting - I get paid for this?

Lots of days are like that, aren't they? I'm not stuck in a cubicle watching the clock for quitting time and getting my exercise by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. I'm my own boss, and if I want to run an errand between 9-5, I can.

Today is one of those days when I think, man, I'm so lucky I get paid to do this! I get to go into a house and be greeted by a dog who is wagging his tail so hard I think he's going to pull a muscle. So much love for me! It compares so differently to coming home to my teenagers, but that's a different story. :)

I also get to enjoy the sunshine and my surroundings. At one house I stroll leisurely while I let the dog explore. I get to take in the beautiful flowers and he gets to sniff around all the trees. We both watch the golfers across the way. So what if I have to pick up his poo? It's a lot cleaner operation than when I used to clean up after my babies. And you know what I mean.

At another home the dog and I take a brisk walk for our exercise, and follow up with water games. The dog isn't the only one who likes the sprinkler and I take a run through it just because I want to. I get to dress how I want and it doesn't matter if I get a little wet. Try that in heels and a suit!

My lab, Sophie, with one of the toys she's mutilated

Peggy's Petsitting Blog Vision

I'm very excited to start this blog about petsitting. When researching petsitting blogs, I've mostly found that they're geared only to a particular petsitter's clients, or they're sadly out of date and not kept up with. My vision for this blog is to share with other petsitters, exchange information and tips, and answer any questions from those new to petsitting or those considering petsitting. I have so many ideas that I don't know where to start! I hope y'all will join me. Petsitters have some great stories - some heartwarming or heartbreaking, and plenty that are doggone funny (I'll try not to use too many Goofy puns.) There is so much information and many good ideas that we can share with one another. I'm sure I will learn lots here and that will make me a better petsitter!