Trouble outside myself…
I love my job. I really get along well with everyone and feel good about being part of a company I believe is doing the right thing in their industry (for the most part). I have looked forward to my future here and the opportunities it may afford Erin and I... our household... our family. This morning I heard that my primary job description may be changing over the coming year and I was deeply troubled. Now I know I should take it all in stride and not sweat the what-ifs because there is nothing I can do about speculation. Actually, the change from a career standpoint wouldn't be terrible. It is the cost of the change that is terrible... well, to me. I was told that I may be handling larger, higher profile, named accounts that are not geographically convenient to me living in Houston. The primary issue isn't just that... they aren't geographically convenient to living anywhere. This in it's most simplistic term is travel. When I interviewed for this position, I accepted that a minimal amount of travel would be required. Erin and I discussed it and agreed that the travel entailed would be acceptable (mostly day-trips anyway) and I accepted the position. Now that I am a widower, one would think that travel wouldn't be as much an issue, but it is... in some ways, even more of an issue. I love my pets. Penny and Bianca are fine for a few days alone with plenty of food, water, and clean litter. Éclair can be boarded. I even have a neat place that takes her to play in a stream and gives her private snuggle-time every day. Henry is the issue. I can not board him. He is too fragile and emotionally sensitive. Trust me. I don't have people here that I can leave him with when I go out of town. He can't be around little kids because they are too rough regardless of how well behaved their parents think they are... he can't be where there is dangerous stuff for him to get into and eat because he will try... he requires a lot of supervision in strange environments because he is an explorer and too smart for his own good. I love my job, but if it comes down to it, I may have to leave it someday for him. I don't want that to happen. We'll see what the future holds.
My pets are my children...I would have to give up my job for my children....my husband does not feel the same way, but he is slowly understanding the need.
I’ll bet that somewhere there is someone who would be very good at dealing with him. My step-mum has a similar, small, sort of emotional dog as it happens and she travels relatively frequently. Maybe there’s some sort of high class retirement village nearby? Older people make great dog sitters.
I certainly understand the concern for your pets. 3 years ago a Crowley Police officer shot and killed my yellow lab (for getting out of our yard and chasing down a neighbors loose cat) and made me carry my dead dog home under threat of arrest) My black lab wouldn’t go outside alone for months (he was with Whiskey when it happened). So I couldn’t travel anywhere that meant leaving them overnight.
I found a wonderful pet sitter who came to our home a couple of times a day and cuddled with them (I got a new Chocolate lab) and played outside with them. She came 2x a day and stayed with them about 20-30 minutes each time, and charged me $20 a day. When Woody (the black lab) was especially vulnerable and he was the only dog I had she offered to take him home at night so I could travel, but I couldn’t do it. Check with your vet. Most of the time someone who works at the vet’s office does this on the side or they’ll recommend the perfect person for it. My dogs are a part of my family… I don’t trust them to just anyone.
I was curious how the men deal with losing their mates. Thank you for the insight.
It’s the same road for me.
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