I'm feeling bit better. This cold has really knocked me
for a loop.
I hate taking medicine but NyQuil and Alka Seltzer Cold meds are helping me,
to say nothing of the Mentholatum in my nose.At least I no longer have chills. Last night I left the heat turned up and snuggled under lots of blankets and dogs.
I was finally warm.
Friday probably was the worst.
I would do my job and then sit at my desk with my head down.They would call me up front to get the incoming boarders and the girls kept telling me that I needed to go home.
They said I was too sick to be working but
I couldn't.
I had too many dogs coming in and I needed to know that everything would be set up properly.
They were so busy up front that I was afraid that if they took over for me, something might fall through the cracks.
Lots of boarders have special needs and some have medications and I would worry.
And then of course, I couldn't really afford to go home either, since I'm paid hourly.
So I would do some stuff and then sit down for a few minutes and get back up and continue.
I thought about the conversation I had with my sister as we cleaned up
Christmas dinner dishes the other night.
She was washing and I was drying.She's thinking about going back to school. To be a nurse.
I thought that was good idea, she's already in the medical field and she's very smart.
I said I had thought about school but I was hesitant because I wouldn't be far from retirement age when I graduated and then I would have school loans to pay and would I ever recoup that?
More importantly, what would I go to school for?
I love Art and I'm selling some paintings, I need to stay focused on that.
and I dream about writing....
So I got up from my chair as they called me again over the phone to come
for another boarder.
I blew my nose and coughed and then tried to act well and walked through
the clinic up to the front.Why am I doing this? I asked myself.
I walked behind the front desk and up into the reception area.
The front was packed with people and their pets.
Clients were picking up their dogs from grooming or their dogs that had surgery the day before and others were waiting for appointments.
I could see the owners from across the front desk.
They were standing towards the back with their dogs, waiting for me.
I saw the husband look down at his dog and then up at me as I walked towards them and he gave me a big smile.
He said, "She was so scared and then all of a sudden I felt her tail beating against my leg. Then I realized it was because she had just seen you!".
I laughed and took her leash and told them I'd run her to the back and be right back for their other dog.
I hurried through the clinic with her, back to the boarding area.
She was running and wagging her tail happily as we went.
I let her outside into the play area and told her I'd be right back with her brother.
As I hurried back up front, I remembered why I do this job.
Darn it.
9 comments:
I already knew before I read the end of the post...that that was why you do it. How wonderful it would be to board your dog somewhere where you know there is you. You who loves and cares for them just as they should be. The only problem is...that you need your own business doing this. I wish you could set up a vet and run it the way it should be run with the utmost care for the animals.
Today at the Heart Hospital I was thinking how well run this hospital was. How calm and efficient. That I felt confidence in all that cared for my Mother. I have never experienced that at a hospital.
I had learned that this is a private hospital started by a group of heart surgeons. Everything is done there the way those surgeons want it done. This is the cleanest hospital. No coughing and infectious people to risk the heart patients health.
My Mom had round the clock minute by minute care. A nurse never left her side for the first 24 hours and was very close by the next 24. One nurse assigned to her and her only.
I thought why would a surgeon want to take on the task of starting his own hospital. I thought...they must want a lot of money....but it would be such responsibility and work. Then it hit me...they did it because they wanted patients taken care of like they wanted them taken care of. They wanted things run efficiently and risk free. No other patients in the hospital would take the risk of infection way down.
No paper pushers telling them they would have to share nurses or not serve the best food because its to expensive. They wanted to do things the way they knew was best. All that go there are so lucky that these doctors got together and created this hospital.
That is why they did it...not for the money but to make a difference.
Same with you......
Love you...
I'm glad the medicines helps! It's awful to have to go to work when feeling as bad as that!
But I can understand why You love Your work :-)
Have a great day!
Christer.
Yep. You are very good at what you do and animals adore you. That doesn't mean you can't be an artist and a writer, too. But maybe pace yourself until you get over this bug. :) Rest when you can. Happy New Year, my friend! xox
You can always have a job you love working with animals - there will be so many (owners and their pets) that need you way into the future! I agree with Nita: how to do that best for your financial benefit is the question. No matter right now - you are ahead of most in that you do what you love. Doesn't get much better than that. (Dayquil works pretty good for the day shift.)
You probably don't know that I have a degree in nursing. I never actually worked as a nurse outside of my clinical rotations last two years of school but it was that experience that made me realize I didn't want to do it. It's a tough and often thankless job. I went to school with a woman--Bea Flood--who had huge, thick-lensed glasses and a salt and pepper bun on the top of head who was to be 62 years old when we got our bachelor's degrees. I asked her why she was doing this at her age and she said it was what she had always dreamed of doing. But she got married and had kids that only delayed her dream. From her I realized, you're never too old to learn, to do something new, to start a new career or to realize your dream.
Now, I don't know if that helps you at all but that's the story I'm telling today.
I knew also where you would end up...you are so loved...even when we humans may disappoint you your furry family has the key to your heart! happy healthy New Year in 2013. Peace be with you, Love you, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
*Sniffs* That's beautiful.
I hope you feel better soon. : )
I don't board my pups, 'cuz in my experience, there wasn't a 'you' in the joint. They came back stressed and had lost weight from not eating. The owners are lucky to be able to drop them off to you, the clinic is lucky to have you, too.
Hope you're better soon.
I have a degree that I don't use anymore. I do use some of the skills learned but won't ever use the degree again. Do what you love, you'll be much happier. Glad to hear you are feeling better!
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