September 2021, I left my full time, work from home job. I was a receptionist for a mobile veterinarian that primarily handled at home euthanasia. Every time I answered the phone, I was nervous that the call would be about another poor animal having to be put to sleep. I would get off work and be so drained emotionally. Having an elderly pet at the time did not make it easier. I tried to channel the strength that the veterinarian had of having to actually be present in those rough moments...I was making great money and got to be home with my cat; it was great for a year, and then I didn't have it in my heart to continue. I started slacking at work. I made the decision to leave before having another job. I naively thought that it wouldn't take me months to find work. Everything financially went to shit. I was applying to 10 - 20 jobs a day and receiving lots of thank you but emails or no response at all.
In October 2021, I finally received a response from a cat sitting company that I had applied to a month prior (never expecting to get a response). I started training at the end of October and officially began this journey that I am still on.
I work full time for an incredible company here in Brooklyn, NY. I get to make my own schedule. Take off as much time as I need to (unpaid, sadly). It enables to me to work on other projects that I am passionate about; like THIS!
I go to people's homes and take care of their cats while they are away. Feed them, give them their food, scoop their litter box, play with them, give them their medications if needed, and lots and lots of luv. Mainly, give the pet parents a sense of relief that their fur babies are being cared for by people that truly care. I get to meet so many beautiful cats, and I keep reminding myself how cool this is, that this is my job!
There is a part of the job that is tough though. When cats that you have been taking care of, sadly pass away.
I will be talking more about pet loss and grief in my next blog post. It needs its own moment.