Why, why, WHY...

[A. L. Aljan]

... must everyone's problems become MY problems!?!? :::stress "tic" over left eye is fluttering away::: It's one thing when I volunteer to help someone out, but when things are thrust ungraciously into my lap, well, I'm about out of room!!!!!

It's not enough that I'm currently working three jobs. At the VERY affluent grooming shop where I slave most of my time away, I am volunteered to do just about every problem dog, and instead of allowing me to speak with the owners about simple behavior modification exercises they can do at home to improve the dog's quality of life and not put my hands (and the rest of my body, actually) at risk, I am told, "People DON'T want you to tell them what to do." Gee, I've only been doing this for 18 years, so I guess I must not know what I'm talking about. I get EVERY underpriced dog and get to do ALL of the back-breaking, time-consuming large breeds and most of the technically-challenging styles. Maybe it's time I "accidentally" let my guide comb slip off of my 30 or 40 blade and leave a nice, bald patch on the coat of the picky no-tippers I usually get. I think the "Skunk Stripe" `do is a must for this season's fashion! (Yes, I'm quoting Deb from Napoleon Dynamite, for those of you who may have caught it)

Job number two has a resident know-it-all whose skills and knowledge base are mediocre on a good day, and the idiot insists on butting into EVERY conversation I'm having with everyone but HER. Never mind the fact that I've trained dogs in conformation, obedience, agility, tracking and upland AND water game for 8 years, all without the benefit of her bad advice (I'M not the one that got my fingertip bitten off because I was too stupid to read some VERY clear warning signs and now has to take all of teh easier dogs because of my inability to work at a decent pace after 4 MONTHS of physical therapy for a FINGERTIP?!?! Even as I'm typing this, 4 months sounds utterly ridiculous!!!) Her niece that also works there tries to take every easy or high-priced dog (I work on commission) and thinks I'm none the wiser. Shoot, I also suppose I've never been scammed at every other shop I've ever worked at by greedy little twits like her.

And behind the door of Job number three (a really nice kennel/training facility)? An idiot receptionist that continually forgets to confirm appointments with me so I'm halfway home before I know that I've got clients waiting there for me, volunteering me to do discount/freebie work for owners that I don't know from Adam. If I had a dollar for every time I heard, "Well it shouldn't be that hard because... (this is the point where it's in one ear, out the other)...", well, I could quit all THREE JOBS!!!! Idiot Receptionist hasn't worked a day at a grooming shop in her life and has absolutely nothing to base her speculation on.

Then we've got Jim's parents, whom he also happens to work for. When he finally gets paid, it's always weeks late and many dollars short... usually hundreds if not thousands by the time we see it. NOW they've volunteered him to work nights for half of his regular pay, as they're not actively searching for new accounts because THAT would require effort, you know, the type of effort that most entrepreneurs are supposed to make. Jim's got downright brilliant ideas that would require absolutely nothing but a few phone calls and the equipment they already have, and not a single one of those ideas are ever used... THEY'RE not the ones hurting for money right now... not with two vacation plots and cabins on two different lakes in two different states. Every dollar they keep from him and all the work they give to their butt-kissing, non-family employee translates into me working harder to make up the difference. The tendonitis in my thumbs, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and hips aren't getting any better, and I'm sick of sleeping on a heating pad for my lower back every night. I'm only 34, for cripe Pete! I shouldn't be this broken-down yet. :::eye twitch gets more fluttery:::

Thank goodness I have SBF to take my mind off of it all... oh wait, I get to be the overbreeding police here and listen to everyone's lame excuses as to why they expect others to treat them with respect, but THEY get to treat everyone else without a shred of consideration. :::long sigh:::

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHH!!!!!!

:::implodes:::


~ Amanda @ Aljan

[RZ]

been there

Sounds like you need to go into work, at least as a groomer & trainer, for yourself

Business cards - print 'em on the computer

Flyers, good old computer, colored paper. pet stores, feed stores, dog parks

website

Craigs list -ESPECIALLY if you can do behavior mods - most people seem to get rid of fido because they are clueless as to how to handle fairly basic problems

Hand them out to EVERYONE

customer lists - use the ones from where you work, mail flyers

business license - about $50.00 a year around hear - liability insurance - variable, i can check with my daughter the underwriter (nah, no motherly pride here) on ballpark, depending on your state

My best friend is a vet tech and pet sits on the side, pet sitting pays his mortgage, car payments . hes been doing it a log time and has a lot of regulars

if you have a van you could consider mobile grooming

ethics of possibly 'swiping' customers - how are you being treated? ethically? responsibly? by alleged adults?

Door # 3 - INSIST on your appointments in writing, every day

self employed downsides - economy going to heck in a handbasket but there will always be some people with money, and most people eat cheap hamburger before stinting their 'babies"

no insurance - there may be ways around this but i'm guessing you probably dont have it anyway

OK, so my dogs are brats but they mind pretty well except for the one her spent her first year tied u in a cowpasture - but shes improving

and the pup seems to be part heeler - and I have no clue how to keep him from trying to herd ME!


and we are semi-self-employed

[ChocolateGal]

Ohhhh.... *jumps on Amanda* You poor thing *Pats Amanda*.

Weeellll, i don't have much advice, in fact, i don't have any. But i do hope you get through this toughyness and have a funtastic time instead!

Although, I thought of some solutions:
Solution #1. Shoot the boss with a tranquiliser gun.
Solution #2. Shoot the girl with a tranquiliser gun.
Solution #3. You guessed it, Shoot the receptionist with a tranquiliser gun.

I find peace of mind when i think what they look like being hit with a tranquiliser dart.

Anyway, hope you get out of this sticky situation.
Choco

[lorraine]

well i really don't have any advice but what Choco said was a good one!! I know what you mean about the getting your mind off of your problems on SBF. I do it all the time. and yes I do hate people thinking they should be treated with respect but don't treat anyone else that way.... it grates on my nerves.!! have fun shooting those people with tranquilizer guns!!! *evil laugh, mmmmmmmmmmmwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaahhhhhaaaaaa!*

[KaylaBlue]

Wait, what happens if they wake up?? You have to confine them (All Three) - say with a group of vicious dogs!!!

I'm really sorry about all of the people - I hope this will help! *hands over large stash of well aged cookies* They might not be the tastiest of things, but oh well...


Just think, once they all wake up from the tranquilizers, they'll be begging to come out - at which point you explain how rude they have been. Then you laugh and walk away. I think that they might get the message!!


Kayla

[KaylaBlue]

Wait, what happens if they wake up?? You have to confine them (All Three) - say with a group of vicious dogs!!!

I'm really sorry about all of the people - I hope this will help! *hands over large stash of well aged cookies* They might not be the tastiest of things, but oh well...


Just think, once they all wake up from the tranquilizers, they'll be begging to come out - at which point you explain how rude they have been. Then you laugh and walk away. I think that they might get the message!!


Kayla

[A. L. Aljan]

Thanks for the suggestions, all! You're making me smile. I wasn't having a really good day when I wrote that, but I don't allow myself to wallow in self-pity too long.

Thank GOODNESS the weekend's coming, though!


~ Amanda @ Aljan

[lorraine]

yep Saturday is here and I am dead beat!!! I ran at a track meet today and I am sooooo tired!

[Vitani]

AWWWWWWWWWW!

*hugs and stuffs warm cookies into your pockets*

I've had times like that...And ( yes, I'm an adult that adores Disney ) I find Dory's ( brownie points if I don't have to tell you who she is lol! ) mantra works.....Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.....


Remember to do one thing just for yourself every day...I know sometimes its impossible to find the time, but even 10 minutes to have a cup of tea all by yourself can make a difference to stress levels....



If Jims got the ideas...And you've got the backing experiance...........RZ's right....Working for yourselves could turn out to be a viable option