I work in an industry that is 365/24/7. I know this and really most of the time I am just fine with it. I have had jobs in the past that require long mandatory hours on weekends and holidays. Being in the pet industry means that no matter what I want to do, I have to make sure the dogs are taken care of first and foremost.
This basically means I do all my personal errands at night. Grocery shopping included. Sometimes this is frustrating because Lowes and Sam’s Club are only open so late. If I want to have dinner with a friend it has to be after 8pm and then I have to be home by 10-11pm to put the dogs in for the night. I will admit I don’t get out much. I work every holiday, and weekends. I’m up at 7am and work untill dark, then put the dogs to bed.
Now here is the part that makes me slightly mad. I live on the property where my kennel is. Some people seem to think that this means they can stop by or come pick up their dog whenever they want. I am a very lienent person. I let my one daycare dog go home at 7:30 almost everynight. Some people just must think that I never eat, bathe or sleep though and my whole existence is just to wait around for them to show up. I have had clients ask if they can pick their dog up at 10 pm before. Really?? Are they just taking advantage? Do they lack common sense? I know they love their dogs and just want them home. But really I need some personal time too.
My first year in business I probably would have let someone pick a dog up at 10pm. But no more. People need to respect boundries, I am putting my foot down more and more often. And I don’t feel the need to explain either. At one time I felt like I needed an excuse to say no. Not anymore. I have set hours and they need to adhere to them. Admittedly I still make a few exceptions for long standing clients or if there is an emergency. Sometimes I just get extremely frustrated with people though.
I have come to accept that it is part of the path I have choosen. But I think from now on if I give a dog a bath expecting it to go home within the next few hours and then I get a txt msg asking if the dog can stay 2 more nights, they are gonna get charged for the bath. Normally a bath is given to the dogs free of charge before they go home. But I am not going to bathe a dog 3 times in a week and have the pick up constantly get pushed back.
And just because you know I’m here on Thanksgiving or Christmas and I say I’m closed, don’t get upset. Feel free to board somewhere else.
aimhighk9 