Would it be irrational...?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

This week has been incredible. I am so in love with both my doodles. They make me so incredible happy and taking care of them brings me such a sense of fulfillment. I love going to the park with them and playing with the other dogs. Being around animals seems to fill me with joy. My eyes light up when I talk about it. 

 

All week at work I thought about my furbabies all the time and couldn't wait to get home to play with them. Work itself is blah. My job is ok in theory, but the people, the politics and my dummy boss are all driving me nuts, and making it difficult for me to enjoy being at work. Lately it's been so bad I've been making comments like, "who cares? as long as my pay check comes in every two weeks it doesn't matter what happens from 9-5"...

 

I am always fantasising about doing other stuff. I used to want to travel and do humanitarian work. Then I went through a phase where I wanted to work in the fitness industry. Then another phase where I wanted to open a bakery and sell pies :)

 

A few months ago I was noting to some friends how I feel like I never really found my passion in life.  I have a good job, with a good secure income and excellent pension and benefits. The thing is I don't love it, I just sort of fell into it. I don't hate it mind you, but really, I feel like I've been tolerating it. I don't enjoy being in an office all day, sitting at a computer. I'm so envious of people who always knew what they wanted to be, went for it, and are now passionate about what they do. This has never been me. In the search for something that really gets me going, I am always signing myself up to new activities and starting new hobbies, which I never follow through on (yoga, running, dancing lessons, photography class, knitting (?), tennis lessons, flute lessons, etc, etc, etc). In fact, I'm so flakey when it comes to my hobbies that people were worried about me getting a pet, in case I flaked out like usual. Well, when it came to my doodle bugs and kitty cat, it was the opposit that happened. I couldn't be more enthused and committed.

 

I was at a wedding back in the spring and was chatting with someone I had just met that night. She asked me what I do for a living and I sort of shrugged it off as a boring government job, almost apologetically. Then I got talking about Sophie Bear, and my eyes lit up like the sun. I was enthusiastic and spoke with passion. I then got into talking about my trip to thailand and the time I visited the elephant rehabilitation park where they help abused or injured elephants get back on their feet. It was a moving and eye opening experience for me. She said to me that she can see that I clearly love animals and asked why I don't make a profession out of it. This 20-something year old yoga instructor, who had just met me for the first time, commented on the difference in my tone and energy when talking about my job, vs. talking about my pets and experiences with animals. It was an eye opening moment.

 

Yesterday I asked a friend and co-worker if it would be irrational if I quit my secure government job and opened a doggie daycare. I have been remarking on the complete void of doggie daycares and dog training options in my area. Most of the facilities are in the burbs. My dog walker used to be an accountant, but she gave that up to be a dog walker. She is my hero.

 

Yes, I know it would be irrational to quit my secure job and excellent salary and benefits, to start a venture that I could very well flunk at. But I just can't help myself from dreaming about it...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

There are two things that come to my mind when I think of your plan.  The first would be as previously mentioned your healthcare.  The government normally has a program where when you retire from the government you can keep your insurance for a reasonable amount.  This is the problem that most people face when they get ready to retire.  If they don't have a plan like that through their employer, they are unable to retire prior to medicare because of the cost of an interim plan.  I would look into that if I were you.  The other thing, is ok, you absolutely love your Doodles, BUT, do you love all dogs.  Are you comfortable with all breeds?  Shedding ones, slobbering ones, yappy ones, big ones, little ones, well behaved ones, not so well behaved ones.  Then comes the owners.  I have to say, before I jumped in completely I would be working in a center to get the feel of it prior to opening on my own.  I do though agree that there are lots of ways that you can work with them as a hobby and not have to quit your day job.

[Joe R.]

I'm thinking along the same lines that Ellen is. How about going to volunteer or work part-time at one of your local doggie daycares. This way you can get a idea of whats involved. Or how about seeing if your dog walker needs some help. May be a way for her to expand her business and give you a foot in the door on a career change, without giving up the security of your current job.

[F, Calla & Luca]

And a good idea at that.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am thinking that maybe there's a way to start preparing for a different career that involves working with animals, and still keep your job. How about taking some courses, either in the evenings or on weekends, or possibly on-line, to become a veterinary technician? That seems like it could be a stable career that would offer you some security and benefits down the line, and you could take your time getting there. Even if you could only handle one or two classes a year, you'd be getting there, and not risking anything in the meantime.

Just an idea.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Lots of pros and cons as the others have pointed out. I would wonder about all the questions they raised. And yes sometimes are busy for doggie day care but what about the slow times. Do you want to have employees? I never did. But then you have to do everything yourself and work long hard hours. I would say you need to give this a lot of time. Talk with owners of doggie day care facilities and ask them to give you feedback. You already have 2 dogs before you add others. I think it sounds difficult but we are at very different life stages. Look before you leap.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I understand so well being in a meaningless job that just sucks the life out of you! Been there, done that! LOL! So I would encourage you to look into the possibilities. It may take some time to make a smooth transition but just having a GOAL that you are working toward can be enlivening!  The trainer that we worked with for a while only  had classes on Wednesday evenings and Saturday.  Perhaps you could start with something like that and you could keep your current job in the beginning. But first you would need to get some credentials as a trainer or caregiver. So maybe start by getting yourself trained and the doors may start opening up! Good luck. Don't give up on your dreams!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

From the perspective of an old lady, I'd say everybody should have dreams...but it's not always the right time to follow them. The security your current job offers is something MANY others dream of. Maybe you should test the idea of a doggie day care by talking with others who might have deeper insight into their realities. I'd only say is to learn as much as you can about the waters before giving up your boat and diving in!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I think that sounds really exciting and fulfilling for you.  But...you do need to pencil it out.  With today's economy and where it is headed, healthcare being what it is, etc. you need to consider all of that.  I'm sure you currently have a great healthcare policy through your work and a guaranteed paycheck.  I know you are young but having healthcare is so very important.  It is very costly if you have to acquire it on your own without being on a "group plan" through a company.  You need to figure all your monthly expenses and include now paying for a new healthcare plan.  Then I think you need to check about getting a license to provide pet services and also what your CC&Rs or housing restrictions are.  Many residential areas have rules (CC&Rs) which won't allow more than a certain number or pets and many residential areas will not allow you to run a business out of your house.  There are many exceptions such as...if you don't have employees who are parking everyday in the neighborhood then you can run a business...stuff like that.  There are just so many rules and restrictions out there that most of us are not aware of.  Many residential communities will not allow more than three pets.  But then, someone has to enforce that and this day and age there is not much enforcement of rules being done.  I have a great place I send my Gracie when we travel.  It is a Dog Ranch on four acres of land and is not that expensive.  They limit to 15 dogs.  My husband and I did the math and he is clearing over $200,000.00 a year which is amazing and doing what he loves.  He has daycare, boarding and training and the dogs are all free to roam and not in crates.  Since this is his full time job he is always with the dogs.  He is married with 3 children and they all participate with the dogs (when the kids are not in school or at sports).  But he had to get a business license, register with what ever animal groups there are for approval, have a vet on call at all times and have an evacuation plan (fire country) and also insurance against anyone suing him if something happens to their pet.  All I am saying is that there is a ton of stuff to do and get clearance for before quitting a job that has guaranteed benefits and a paycheck.  While you are still working you could research and apply for all the licenses and cost out business insurance and your own personal health insurance.  Then make the decision.  I personally think it is a great idea and we need more people like you out there to take care of our "babies".  You just need to research very carefully all the hidden expenses and licensing required.  Good Luck!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I say go for it! Do lots of research and go for it! After imigrating to canada from the UK i couldnt find work in my field (wildlife conservation) and ended up working in a pet store. Yeah, not to bad, but include the stupid politics, stupid customers (I want my dog to be vegetarian as I am) (I cant feed my dog bones as it will eat children) (feeding red meat will make my dogs fur change colour), nasty co-workers - I was in the same position as you. I really didnt like working there any more. I finally planned on studying part time to help me get and ecology job. Lost my job, now we are moving across country to the inlaws and im going to study full tme. It all happens for a reason right?!

 

Do what makes you happy. You can earn lots of money, but that doesnt make you happy. Doing something you love makes you happy regardless of the money you earn (as long as you have enough to live off)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It sure does sound wonderful.  I will tell you though that I've had lots of conversations with the owner of our daycare/boarding facility, and it sure isn't easy.  Don't get me wrong, I know she loves working with the dogs and getting to know the owners, but she literally never has a day off.  She and her husband run the business together, and now that it's really established and very busy her life just isn't her own.  She's there from six in the morning until nine at night...when she puts the boarding dogs to bed.  She does all the evaluations herself (she's a former trainer) and either she or her husband are in the "playroom" at all times (with staff) to be sure there is never an incident with any dog.  I'm sure you've thought of all this.  It sure sounds like fun....but also lots of hard work (not that hard work is necessarily a bad thing).  Keep us posted....even doing the research could be pretty exciting.