When I interned at my cousin's zoo down in Broussard, Louisiana, the one thing I took away from the experience wasn't the impact zoos had, but my cousin's perspective on what it's like running something as big as a zoo. One would think it's busy work, maybe even tedious to some extent. Either way, it can't be that fun, right? Well, according to an interview (from a source that I can't remember off the top of my head) my cousin said that working at the zoo, "isn't a job. It's hard work, but it's nothing but fun." Or something along those lines...but that's exactly how I see my new job.
I work at a business that offers dog boarding, grooming, daycare, training, and specialized pet sitting (the pet sitting can range from overnight pet sitting, going to someone's house to walk their dogs or letting them out to go to the bathroom, feed other pets such as cats and cleaning the litter box, picking up someone's dog and bringing them back to the facility, getting the mail/newspaper and watering plants). But perhaps the most interesting thing about this family-owned business is that not only is it open 24/7 all year round, but instead of kenneling and caging the dogs they let them run free in designated yards--small dogs and big dogs. Small dogs also includes puppies. The dogs have free access to the outside yard, and if it's summer they can easily come back into the air-conditioned building. The only time they're kenneled is when it's night time, and during feeding times. Or, if a dog is food-aggressive and they're not getting fed for a meal (some dogs get fed twice a day instead of three) then they get kenneled only until feeding time is over.
Because it's dog boarding, owners are required to get their dogs vaccinated (rabies, distemper, bordetella, etc.) and since they're not a traditional dog boarding facility, it's like taking your dog to a dog park without worrying about those certain healthrisks. Since there is always someone watching over the dogs, you also don't have to worry about someone else's dog getting too rambunctious or bullying your dog. The staff, which includes me, ALWAYS make sure that there is fair play. No dog is allowed to be "crazy," because let's face it, many people don't realize or think their dog can be rude in terms of dog etiquette.
Now, working at a dog boarding facility may not be the most grand post-college job (it certainly isn't the cleanest), but it does fulfill one important thing that I look for when I do work. It teaches me something in a subject that I love: animals. Not everyone has this perspective, I realize. Some of my co-workers don't. And that's fine. Because of the "less-kenneling and more-playing" policy, I get to see and experience dog and pack behavior up close and personal. What many might deem as an aggressive act, or even a fight, is really just communication between dogs. A dog that snaps at another dog doesn't necessarily mean that that particular dog is "mean" or "just doesn't like other dogs." Depending on the situation and context, that dog is just establishing it's space. Even if a dog is okay with exchanging greetings with another dog for the first five minutes, when it has had enough it's had enough. And if the other dog isn't receptive to body and audio language, a more invasive measure is taken, such as snarling and snapping. Consent is universal.
The bottom line is, some people might see this as "just a job." Therefore, their attitude and manner are going to reflect that. I don't see this job as a "job." Yes, I'm essentially getting paid to pet sit people's dogs, and yes, us employees are basically a glorified pooper-scooper, but it doesn't negate the fact that it's still a lot of work. I almost see it as being a life-guard for the dogs, but instead of saving human lives, you prevent dog fights from breaking out. We're basically mediators, or referees. We have to check each dog from head to toe, looking at the eyes, ears, mouth, teeth. We even make sure that the butts are clean. You have to mop and pick up every mess, poop, pee, and vomit--and the quicker the better. And, let's face it, giving attention to 15+ pups is pretty exhausting. :) It's a very fun job, and I'd be lying if I said it was boring. Yes, a job is needed to pay the bills and support a family. But that doesn't mean it can't be fun. I know many people face the dilemma of choosing a boring job that has a high salary and a fun job that has a lower salary--but most often times, in my opinion, the fun job has a lot more to offer (if you do it right). A job should be fun, but it shouldn't be just fun. It should provide learning opportunities for you. I may be out of college, I may have my Bachelor's degree, but I still want to learn. I just don't want to learn in a classroom setting with grades anymore. :P
If any of you want to know about this place, whether you're in St. Louis or not, shoot me an email, or leave a comment! :)
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