At least that's what everyone thinks. ( Playing with the dogs all day ) When people say that to me all I want to do is ask them, " Want to trade for a week?" I really don't think people understand what my job really is all about. Don't get me wrong I would never again try to change what I do, or who I am. Been there done that, and brought home a T-shirt to remember it by!
I did a career change in 2005, when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer. I sold my pet wash/grooming business, my home, my beautiful horses, and left my life here in Atascadero, just to go be with my Dad in Nevada. By the time I arrived there, he was so far gone that he only lasted 2 months to the day, and he peacefully passed away. I am so grateful that I was able to be at his bedside holding his hand when he passed, and I wouldn't have given up those 2 months for the world. I just wish I had know the time was going to be so short and I wouldn't have sold my life down the river, so to speak.
Starting over in a different state, wasn't going to be easy, I was no spring chicken, who would hire me? I needed to get a job and soon, because my finances were getting thin.
Having the title National Certified Master Groomer didn't help me at all, none of the grooming salons wouldn't hire me because they were afraid of my talents and the title. Groomers are a bit protective of there businesses, they seemed afraid of me rather than happy to have me. Audition after audition, I just couldn't find a job, I even had one potential employer tell me during the audition, that she couldn't possibly hire me because I was too good, and she didn't want her customers spoiled. After 35 years of dedicating my life to this industry.... now that just took the cake!
I had to eat, and pay the bills, if the grooming salons wouldn't hire me then I would have find something else. That's when I decided a career change was in order. NO more dog hair!
As I pulled in the driveway to our apartment complex I looked at the office door, suddenly I had a thought, what about office work, clean, nice surrounding, quiet, I really liked that idea, so I boldly walked into the office and asked for a job. The manager looked at me funny, standing there in her high class clean corporate suit, and after a moment or two of hesitation, she handed me an application. She said there may be a leasing agent position opening up soon, fill out the application, and, I'll let you know.
Finally, after about 2 weeks I was given an interview. The questions were pretty straight forward, but then she asked me the question. The Big Question! "Why should I hire a Dog Groomer"? I was stunned, I looked at her like a Deer looking into the head lights of a truck! That's when it really hit me, this is how people perceive me,( JUST A DOG GROOMER! ) a fun job playing with dogs all day! For the first time in 35 years of service to this industry, I realized this is how the world looks at my profession. It made me feel like snail trail, almost like I had wasted my life. How could I make it if no one would take me seriously?
Then I looked up at her and in an instant stood to my feet and told her, I didn't spend the last 35 years of my life playing with dogs all day, I was a prominent business woman! I owned, worked and lived my business. I worked 14 hours a day 6 days a week sometimes 7, running a very successful business. Groomer is just a title, whats behind the name is so much more. We don't just play with the dogs all day, we are a dedicated people and work harder than anyone can imagine. Between customer service, secretarial duties, janitorial, bookkeeping, receptionist,and not to mention, sales, managerial duties, animal husbandry, counter clerk, continued education, advertising, and computer skills, you name it , we do it! and that's "including" grooming 10-15 dogs a day. Just a Groomer? I think not. Just because we wear jeans and t-shirts, doesn't mean we are less important in the business community, would you wear a shirt and tie if you had my job?, I asked, and she just sat there with her mouth hanging open. Hmm now what? I thought for sure I blew that interview, but guess what, she said your hired. I just smiled and said when do I start.
I spent almost 6 years in Las Vegas, Nevada, working in property management. I worked my way quickly up in the ranks in the corporate world, where Nestor and I ended up managing our own community with over 200 residents. We were pretty successful at it too, turns out all my sales experience paid off. The work was easy, a lot lower stress, and steady paychecks, Nestor and I had health insurance, and even a 401k. I could dress nice, wear make up, get my hair and nails done, and not have dog hair in my coffee. I had my own private office, an office assistant, and maintance staff, if you can imagine that! Best of all it was 9-5 week days, with Saturday, Sunday, and all major holidays off. Talk about fun easy job, we were even given a free 3 bedroom home to live in with all utilities paid, woo whoo, we had it made.
Geesssss what a nice life.
Geesssss what a nice life.
But something was missing, I was never truly happy, I missed my life, my passion, my talent, and my, home here in Atascadero. I just had to come back to a place where I felt inner peace with myself and my life, so here we are, Nestor and I, working harder than you can imagine, standing knee deep in dirty dog hair, constantly soaked to the bone, and me pulling tiny hairs from my fingers, never getting my hair and nails done, and drinking hairy coffee,
best of all
LOVING EVERY TAIL WAGGING, BUTT SNIFFING, PUPPY LICKING MINUTE OF IT!
and thats the buzz on doggie talk
{{huggies to my doggies}}
Colette
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