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OK, what I do. It’s called “animal care specialist.” Which means pet-sitter. What it really means:

• walking dogs
• feeding dogs
• picking up dog poop
• feeding cats
• scooping litter boxes
• scooping a LOT of litter boxes
• driving anywhere from 30-100 miles per day

I am also “assistant manager.” What this means:

• client contact
• manage pet-sitter schedules, assign jobs, etc
• deal with high-maintenance pet people
• billing/invoicing (aka money collecting)
• helping out at daycare/boarding facility (aka getting jumped on by dogs, doing a lot of sweeping and mopping and scrubbing)
• and, all of the above “animal care specialist” duties

Basically I spend a lot of time in my car. Which is great, because I have an iPod, a car iPod adapter, and a library card where I can borrow audio books. What’s not great is that I’ve been too busy/lazy to plan my meals accordingly so I often end up starving and then pigging out on the wrong thing.

Another good thing: the animals. Seriously, how bad of a day can I be having when the worst thing I have to do is pick up poop? I mean, yeah, that part sucks. But I could be in the worst mood, but at any given job I can count on a tail wag or a purring cat head-butting me. If you’ve ever walked a dog around your neighborhood, you’ve experienced the comments, compliments, spontaneous conversations that occur when people see a happy dog. Normally I’m not a fan of people, but those times are fun.

Speaking of people. Kind of a “bad.” Some people are *really* demanding and high-maintenance. Which is surprising considering I am the animal freak that I am. But believe me now. Some people are out there coocoo for cocoa puffs cah-razy about their pets. More stories to come on this, I am sure.

A good: Being valued at my job. Having passion for what I do. Never dreading a day’s work, even though I’ve worked pretty much nonstop this summer with just a handful of days off. Managing my own schedule and somewhat being my own boss.

A sort-of bad: I’m not interested in entrepreneurship and am not focused enough to care about financial planning. My boss likes to talk out loud and brainstorm ideas and is big on the five/ten-year plan so he can retire before 35. (aside: bastard) They’re expanding by selling affiliate programs and trying to open new facilities, both in our city as well as all over the country. I think it’s great, but I’m just not into it. I know I would be rewarded quite well if I could come up with ideas like these, but I can’t get into it. It’s not a detriment to my job, as I’m pretty valuable with just what I do now. But I feel like I’m not living up to a level of expectation that’s there. Luckily, I also don’t care that much. :P

A bad. Working 7 days a week in the busy season. Which is, you know, the entire summer. Zoo is a little burnt out.

I’ll end with the best good: free pet care. There are no words, people.