Grateful
Everyday I’m “working”, I’m grateful for so many reasons. During today’s reflections I wondered, “how did I get so lucky?” And that’s when it dawned on me. This wasn’t luck, though many seem to believe it, and for a little while I was beginning to let their doubts create more doubts for me and my future dreams. This is mostly a reminder for myself but also encouragement to all those facing doubters.
It wasn’t luck. It was hard work from an eager 21 year old searching for something different. Someone who wasn’t valued by her employers and had to make her own way, despite many people looking down on her decisions. Getting to where I am today didn’t come easy, even though it looks easy today.
In the last 10 years, I have learned and grown so much. Most small businesses fail within the first 2 years and inevitably as much as we love dogs, people often reach burnout around year 5. I often wonder, how am I the one reaching year 10?
I have been the one who’s lost a dog, forgotten an appointment, had an accident or injury, I’ve had clients not pay, I’ve had clients threaten me, I’ve had clients not value me despite doing with their dog things they couldn’t, I’ve had clients not care that this is how I pay my bills. I have undoubtedly failed in some areas along the way but “failures” are also an incredible opportunity to learn and grow, which I have always strived to do, and that hasn’t been without grace and trust from my clients throughout the last 10 years.
Today looks easy because I’ve never given up, even when others probably thought I should. Today I’m grateful for this incredible chapter of my life, knowing that at some point all chapters must end. I don’t really know when or where the next chapter starts, but if it’s anything like this one, I know it will be beautiful.
Thank you to all my clients past and current, this wonderful “job”, your kindness, and your amazing dogs have kept me going even in the h
Yesterday’s pool day video! Thanks to Ellie’s owners for coming and getting her in, we know she loves to swim so not sure why she was pretending not to lol 🤣 She had a great time, obviously I had to highlight messing with miss Sunny Ray a bit 😆 she tries so hard to play like she doesn’t enjoy it, she’s not fooling us!
What our weekend is looking like ~ slumber party with Charlotte! 🐾 ❤️
🐶🐱🐶🐱🐶🐶
Here’s part 2 of yesterday’s pool day!
The videos are long but there was just too much good footage to leave out! Hoping to get in several more pool days before the days get shorter and fall creeps in.
I hear I have a lot of lucky dogs but I have to say, I think I’m the luckiest of them all! 🍀 Blessed to have amazing clients, dogs and the ability for alternatives like this to beat the heat! I wish we could do this all year long! ♥️
Enjoy!
Pool day August 4th!
Lots of video footage from today, another continued version will be uploaded tomorrow! First time really using my go-pro style camera and ran into some tech issues 😮💨 but we’re good to go! More footage to come tomorrow, enjoy!
Hip hip hooray for another pool day! ☀️
Recall, impulse control and duration all coming together when faced with a grazing deer in the field 💯 🌟 Great job Sunny, Parker, Ghillie and Lily!
Swim swim swim! Charlotte, Parker, Ellie and Delaney having a splashing good time
No dog is too young or too old to start learning!
Today little gusgus (“goose goose”) went to Home Depot with Jack (carried), went to work with him while he prepped and primed a bathroom for painting; while being a good quiet boy sleeping in his crate!
Now he’s getting some basic obedience practice started while Jack does some work on my car 🥰
Key is to start them early and before any bad habits arise! Contrary to popular belief, dogs won’t “grow out of” their mischief!
Excited to have this little guy come into our lives and share his journey with you all 😊
A wild combination of a group, Boston’s first group hike and having almost two weeks off - a little laugh at the chaos 🤣 but they still had to work, gotta get back into routine!
So, we didn’t get the best news pertaining to Zailee’s growths that were removed.
Of all the things this dogs has survived, I suppose I should’ve known it would take something as nasty and destructive as cancer to take her away.
I’ve been told to keep her happy and comfortable, keep checking for new growths, bring her back in 6 months for X-rays to look for spreading.
I’ll do that, but that’s not all I’ll do. I’m also saddened that so many others feel that there is nothing else to do for someone you love so much. So, Armed with The Forever Dog I’ll be keeping her (and all my current/future animals) on a raw diet and throwing any and every natural product at her to try and fight this. I encourage everyone with a pet to get this book!
I was happy to discover the specific combination of turmeric and rosemary, “has a synergistic effect on canine mammary carcinoma (breast cancer - which she is fighting stage 3), mastocytoma, and osteosarcoma cell lines..”
Maybe it buys time, maybe it doesn’t. It is however 1,000% worth the try. As my life guide for the last 12 years, my entire adult life, I have made the decision not to consider other options such as chemo or radiation (if those become options) or to let her suffer. So here’s to praying it buys more quality time ♥️
I obviously need a better way to film 🤣
Keira’s first leash training session today!
A little clip from Keira’s first leash session today!
A clicker, slip lead, treats and some extra fun thrown in had this floofy gal walking AND running nicely with me! We started off the first few minutes on her leash and harness, which is how she was normally walked, then quickly switched to this set up.
It was night and day!
Excited to see her again next Friday 😊
My Thursday afternoon “Golden group” is so fun! They always make me smile and ~obviously~ all look so incredibly good together!
We’re often asked if they’re all mine or related 🤣 Followed with how well behaved they all are.. because we work hard! We always respect other trail goers and avidly practice boundaries AKA never allow unwanted greetings!
This allows us to do more together with our dogs, allowing them to “dog” better and more frequently!
www.keenpaws.com
Beach day #2 for Ellie Mae! Volume up 🤣
