 This weekend was absolutely beautiful - but still a little cold. We took our gal to the river in North Vancouver on Saturday - so many dogs were out with their human parents - running around, sticks in mouths, tails wagging!
There is something about the water that makes our gal positively wired - she runs in circles and barks and can't wait to immerse herself - she doesn't seem to notice how cold the water still is. She is mesmerized by all the rocks, and sticks, and trees, and smells in the air. She could stay at the river all day if we let her. Today we headed over to Queen Elizabeth Park for a romp around the trees. We are blessed with so many beautiful parks in Vancouver ... so it was a good day with our dog, lots of sun, and the chill in the soon to be spring air. Have a good week!  This is Elsa and I last summer - she loves giving kisses - We've had the pleasure of walking Elsa since she found her forever family a little over 18 months ago. When I said goodbye to her on Thursday after our walk, I would never have thought it was going to be the last time I was going to see this beautiful soul. I was sitting at our kitchen table with my partner mid-day on Sunday - our gal Indy was outside enjoying the sun ... nose in the air, taking in all the smells of the coming spring when our phone rang. I answered it immediately - upon hearing the news, my heart sank, and tears started rolling down my face. Elsa's parents had to make the brave decision that all of us who love our dogs, cats, and critters, dread, but know that it is inevitable. What we don't expect, ever, is that this heartbreaking decision is made when our loved one is only two years old. For Elsa's brief life, she was surrounded by so much love, kindness and consistency ... she had the best human parents any dog could ask for. I am grateful that I got to share part of Elsa's life with her and get to know her human parents. As a dog walker, especially because I focus on one-on-one dog walking, there is lots of talking and attention - I get to know each of my doggy clients individually and love them all so much ... so when we lose one, a little piece of me goes with them. Rest in peace sweet girl ... I wish you an unending supply of carrots and celery and pools and beaches and lots of other doggy friends to play with. 
 Today I have been reflecting on how much I love what I do and who I get to spend time with throughout my day, every day. Each of you, my furry and feathered clients (and the little rodents too!) make my days amazing ... we have wonderful conversations, some (very) funny moments, and I get to watch you grow and flourish into amazing animals as a result of the love and guidance from your human companions.
I used to work in the corporate sector for many years. While I enjoyed my work and those I worked with, I always felt like I was not following my passion which is animals. Through circumstances and a lot of hard work, I started this little company in 2006 (I can't believe it has been this many years now!) As any small business owner will attest, we start our small businesses because we have a passion, we love to work with people (and in my case animals), and we do it because we believe we can make a difference. While I am thankful throughout the year, at this time of year I like to say a special thank you to my furry, scaly, and feathered friends and their human companions - I love that I get to spend time with your loved ones ... so thank you. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and an amazing new year ahead ... Anne Well ... the rain is here to stay for a little while. I have dug out my rain pants and my rain boots - the shorts are put away for another season. The leaves are falling and it is beautiful with the soft rain (and sometimes not so soft amidst some of the torrential downpours of this last week.
I love the personalities that come out from my canine pals once the rain starts. Some of my dogs absolutely love the rain - they leap for puddles, prance around with joy, bark at the leaves, and just generally have a good time - these guys especially love the towel off at the end. And then there is the one's that the last thing they want to do is get their paws wet. In fact, I think they would be happier if I carried them through the entire walk and just let them down to do their business. I have this one adorable guy that makes wide circles around puddles and jumps and the ripples in the puddles when the rain hits. I smile and calm his fears and we have a talk. My dogs certainly change a little the wetter it gets - some get more frisky and others have no interest in being outside when it rains - and it all makes me smile ... they have their own personalities and I get to enjoy each one of them, one-on-one, just me and my pal. Another great week.  I have this one most adorable little cutie-pie dog that I get to walk ... she has quite the personality. She tells me what I need to do and how to do it ... for example, if it is raining out ... she lets me know in her own special way that she has no interest in getting her paws the least bit wet. She makes me laugh - each time I know I get to see her - I look forward to what our next adventure will be.
She has many admirers in the neighbourhood and over the years, she's introduced me to many of them. There are two in particular that stick out for me ... one is this feisty and funny older lady who simply adores my fuzzy client ... she gets this wonderful grin every time she sees this gal I get to walk. I love how happy she becomes and in turn, I look forward to when both me and my furry pal get to see her as well. The second is the neighbourhood postie who always has a treat and a scratch and a ready smile. I love that I get to meet all these wonderful individuals on my walks and that all these wonderful individuals are a part of my canine pal's life. This adorable little dog I get to walk certainly is a charmer ... she is well loved by her human parents, her neighbours, her postie, and me. And in turn, I love that I get to experience her neighbourhood, with her neighbours, through her eyes. Another wonderful day! I walk this adorable dog who loves the rain. I would almost think that she waits for it longingly and when it comes - she gets extra happy, lifting her nose up to the rain, welcoming it. She prances a little more, her tail wags a little more, and her eyes brighten. Her favorite part of the walk is the end, when she comes home, and the towel is waiting.
She absolutely loves getting toweled off - she shows so much joy, and runs in circles around me, and talks and talks and talks. She wiggles and her tail wags, and she tells me how much she loves it. Later on, I started thinking about what we all wish for, what we all want, and we always think of the next best thing ... and I wonder if it should really be as simple as lifting our head to the rain, being grateful for a dry towel, and a warm house, and someone to share the moment with. Have a great weekend!  Welcome to my revamped website (thanks to my wonderful marketing manager a.k.a. my partner). I love the new look and feel, the links to my Facebook, and Twitter page. It sounds exciting - but honestly, I am not terribly technical. I love that I have an iPhone and that I get to take pictures of my canine pals and my feline friends and send them to my customers.
No day is alike. I am grateful that I get to spend my days talking to my pals, walking East Vancouver neighbourhoods with my furry pals, visiting with my feline friends, meet their human neighbours, and sharing time with all these extraordinary furry beings. I've even been able to liberate a trapped bird or two from customer's houses. I am looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. |
Author"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as much as the dog does." Archives
January 2015
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