"Sammi"

I promised an update on my first pet sitting adventure. It was probably some of the easiest money I've ever made! I went over to the house prior for a meet and greet, to get instructions, and to ensure the owner that he could trust me to take his key, jot down his alarm code, and have run of his house for the entire weekend.

The guy was great and his dog was even cooler. Sammi is a 10 year old German Shepard and was just a doll. She's super laid back and pretty much just keeps to herself - so independent. I honestly didn't have to do much of anything. She didn't need walks, or any sort of special care, she just goes "poopoo' in the back yard, in the pine straw, and that's where it stays. I have to say that when the owner told me the magic word was "poopoo," it was a little hard to contain myself. To imagine this extremely successful man using the word "poopoo" everyday with his girl, Sammi made me giggle.

The hardest part of it all was, after having dinner and a few adult beverages on a Friday and Saturday night, knowing that I couldn't go straight home... I had to let Sammi out one last time. I was most concerned that the alarm was going to sound and I wouldn't know what to do! But, I overcame my 'tipsy' fears. Sammi is a sweetheart and we had a great weekend together.

To promote my business and to ensure that I would be asked to come back, I knew I needed to be remembered. I needed a leave behind of some sort. So I spent hours on the computer Sunday morning working on my very own business cards. I also figured that I should leave something tangible, like a treat or a toy, for Sammi. So I wrapped up some 100% natural doggie treats in a cellophane baggy and tied it with that adorable paw print ribbon I used previously for my fliers. I also left a little note about how Sammi and I spent our time over the weekend. I didn't want this guy to think I didn't care about her or was just doing this for the money. I wanted to put a lot of thought and care into it and I wanted it to show.

All I can say is adorable! I thought I did a pretty darn good job. Now, of course this owner is a MAN, so he probably didn't think, "Oh, cute" when he came home on Sunday. But if he thought, just for one second, that his dog was well cared for over the weekend, that was all mattered.

And to be honest, I really enjoyed doing this. All of it. I loved taking care of Sammi, I loved trying to make a great impression, and I loved that this could be the start of something...