The Start of My Dog Walking Journey

I will start with some background. I am the Human Resources Director for the Embassy Suites in Raleigh, NC, a hotel owned by Hilton and Felcor. I have held this position after being promoted for about 3 years in my 11'x11' office with no windows and pink wall-papered walls that I can only imagine date back to the 80's. Before my corporate position, I helped run a family-owned Bed & Breakfast, and when that Inn sold, I thought the best route for me was hotels.

I was wrong. As many, young 20-something's find out numerous times after graduating from college. Hotels and corporate life are not for me. What is the next step? My next venture? Well, the next logical step is dog walking! (That seems fair to me)

Okay, so I do not have any background in the development or care of animals. What I do have is a ridiculous, cat-lady, I'm worried I won't love my children as much as my dog kind of love for animals. In fact, my whole life my father kept telling me I should be a veterinarian. So, when my friend told me that she has a dog walker in Atlanta, I though "Wow, I would love that job!" Thus, begins my journey into dog walking and pet care.

You will be happy to know that I have actually cared for many pets in my lifetime. Growing up I had more hamsters than I can count, a huge fish tank, 2 childhood cats- Redford, a wild stray, and Pitter Patt, my Himalayan Persian Christmas present, a family dog- Barnacle, a 110 lb. Golden Retriever, my first cat in college- Turkey, a stray we picked up from the Chapel Hill Animal Shelter, my first dog after college- Ebenezer, a 6.5 lb Maltipoo, and now I have acquired my husband's hunting dog- a black Labrador Retriever named Lily. You may be shocked to hear that my husband will not allow me to get the Golden Doodle I want! ...which brings me to my new venture in dog walking! If I cannot add a new animal to my family, I think the next best option is to surround myself with the beloved pets of others. I look forward to my last day in Corporate America (Oct. 22) and this new dog walking adventure!

Stay tuned for stories about my dog walking journey in future blogs...