When this accommodation (to work from home full-time) expires in a couple of weeks I've asked my psychiatrist to okay going into work one day/week (most people go into the office two days/week).

Neb's kidneys are okay, for a dog who is 15, but don't concentrate urine well anymore, so he has to pee a lot. He's now holding it for 4-5 hours during the day (he's okay overnight, which is nice) but for awhile I was taking him out every 2.5 hours.

So - we'll need someone to come in midday to take him out. Agis is reactive enough I don't want other people walking him (I worry about the liability if they don't take my restrictions seriously) and Agis and Xerxes can be a bit of a matched set. And Agis and Xerxes can go a work day without a potty break, even if it's not ideal. Pre-Agis I never had a dog walker, though a friend who is a professional dog walker took him out while he was a puppy to young adult (he became reactive and she kept insisting he was 'fine' so to be honest that has not helped my trust issues with Agis being handled by other people).

She can't take Neb out - too busy - so I contacted other dog walkers we know who cat sit for us occasionally (she helped run a cat rescue with me back in the day) but they do pack walks midday which is when Nebbers will need to go out. They gave me the name of a dog walker they know. I thought, I don't know anything about this Darius person, so didn't get in touch. Found another nearby company. They were busy but they gave my number to another walker, who contacted me but only does pack walks (no thanks). She gave me the name of someone who when I went on her website talks about helping you and your dog find your 'path' and that's just not me.

Oh and all these people are force-free, and I don't beat the dogs (obviously) but use prongs on Xerxes and Agis. We've done a lot of 'force-free' training with trainers, and balanced trainers who worked with us are what have really helped, behaviourally. Neb is walked on a martingale, but I don't want to deal with someone upset that there are prongs in the house.

So I contact Darius. Don't hear.

Tonight, I thought, do I try Rover? I don't like the idea of random people who aren't associated with a business having the keys to our place or trusting them with Nebbers. That makes me very uncomfortable. Years ago when I broke or tore something I had someone from Rover come in to the take the boys out for a walk (back when Luc was still with us) and I was at home then I spent the entire time at the windows freaking out despite being hobbled.

But I go on.

And who do I see, but Diana, who used to work reception at our vet clinic. I adored her and was sad when she left. She knows the dogs (remembered us - it's possible Neb, Xerxes and Agis are rare names haha), was always great with the dogs, and she is NOT a stranger or some random person! I am comfortable with her! She has first aid/tech-type experience, which is also good.

So she is coming in on Wednesdays at 11:30am - she doesn't have availability after noon. I can't tell you how relieved I am.

Hey Jenn,
Seems like it is working out - all of it. Glad it's going your way.

Thanks Middle. I hope it goes okay, commuting and working around people. Working in offices has historically caused paranoia for me, and I have subway-specific delusions. So COVID and working from home was a revelation.

So Diana came today for the first time - boy was everyone excited to see her! I felt bad, a huge thunderstorm started just as she left, we could tell it was going to rain but it was right overhead and had hail. Neb is nonplussed at that sort of thing, unflappable is a good description, but I felt bad for Diana.

But it went great! So that'll be a weekly walk going forward.

And she's going to housesit (3 dogs and 2 cats!) in June when we're away overnight at a wedding. We'd made other arrangements, but would prefer to keep them in the house. So that's really great, so pleased.

I'm not sure if Agis remembered her but he sure was excited to have a friendly visitor!

It gives me more breathing room as she can take Neb (and/or Xerxes) out on Sundays when I'm backpacking with Agis. Might even get Toby to go to work on those days, knowing she'll be coming in and wondering why he's there (a girl can dream).

The planning you do..... just amazes me. Glad this is so promising, too.

I enjoy planning, almost as much as the doing. I had a therapist tell me it was an OCD thing (have that too, in a varying way) but I dunno.

Hi Jenn,

I'm really glad that you (and your dogs) reconnected with Diana and it's working for all involved-what a relief.

Several months ago David had a lot of medical work and I investigated dog walkers from Wag so I had some freedom regarding hospitals, etc. We went with the dog walker to see how he handed Nova and how she behaved. The first one was afraid of her, despite claiming all kinds of big dog experience, and she took over. The second one had an "interesting" approach. Once we were on the walking path he coupled her leash to his dog and gave his dog commands-it was a disaster. I gave up.

You can never be too careful.

MJ

Oh my goodness MJ! Yes it's that sort of thing I worried about. Let alone giving the keys to my home to a stranger.

For housesitting I warned her that Agis was as Agis is, and that Xerxes was obnoxious (Agis can be aggressive, or an angel, Xerxes is a just a snot - I said I would prefer the dogs stay on-leash and not meet other dogs. I take Agis off-leash in certain areas, and he's fine, but I am also used to handling him and can read him (better, anyways). Agis is very friendly away from our building generally - I think he's quite territorial

Such wonderful news. I'm so happy for everyone