Okay. I just seriously won Christmas. Not only have I gotten all of the shopping done with the exception of my Hubby, but I already picked up the supplies for the client gifts. This year I'm making..... wait for it.....
Mosaic stepping stones with their own dogs' paw prints!
Usually I'm swamped and stressed a couple of weeks before the stupid holiday trying to get my shit together. NOT THIS TIME. And I LOATHE shopping. Especially with large crowds. So I'm doing the happy dance right now.
Awww, they are going to love the shit out of that! I haven't even started shopping. I tell myself at the beginning of the year that I'm going to shop throughout the year AND I NEVER DO. So dumb.
Same! And I get so stressed because making them takes so long. Plus I have to make around 20 of them so, multiply the time by that.
Now..... to figure out how to be sneaky enough to mix the concrete, get it in the molds, get the print, clean their paws and get them back without them suspecting something is up Some of my clients art always home so should be a challenge lol.
I know you said you already bought the stuff, but there is some premixed stuff that looks almost like play-doh. You just cut off as much as you need and then you knead it to make it 'active'. My old vet used to do paw prints for the owners when they had to put their babies down, and this is what she used. It hardened within a few minutes. You could then insert it into the stepping stone shape. Cool idea on the gifts!
ETA: it's pretty much mess free!
Last edited by raisedbywolves; 11-06-2015 at 04:54 PM.
Yep! That was the first obstacle I was hitting. Was I wanted to do the stones and Mosaic pieces and their names in the stone, but how do I do ALL of that while I'm supposed to be walking them? So I came up with the idea of doing a small paw print using a custard cup first then after that sets, doing the cake pan and just setting the round paw print after it's set later on and adding the rest. I still have to mix the concrete and mess with it, but on a MUCH smaller level and the small custard cups will be easier to travel with in my car for the day.
Every year I do something and I had to come up with something different for my long time clients. I've done personalized calendars (by hand...pain in the ass) photos in painted frames, doggie bags (canvas for shopping using transfer pics of their dogs), cookie (treat) jars with their pictures (I used cleaned out candle jars )....
I can do some of those others for newer clients, but it's as if I have to up my game every year. I do love the art therapy part of it. You lose that when you wait until last minute though. So this year I'll actually enjoy it. Kinda nice. And it's a smart business move because:
1. Nobody does by hand. It's above and beyond.
2. It ups the chances of a tip and a GOOD one.
I thought of this and couldn't find the stuff! I might bend the ear of a vet to find out where they get the stuff for future years.
I also sadly do Angel Ornaments for clients that passed on throughout the year. It has their picture and a date Makes me cry making them.
You're awesome Boston.
I've gotten a head start on Christmas this year too!! I have a stash in my office that I've been online shopping for the boys. Little man ALL YEAR has been asking for a "fire truck with pedals" and this got delivered to my work just last week:
He's gonna freakin love it.
So, it's no surprise that I've been stressing out trying to save my business. Ever since these Care.com, Rover.com, Zingy, Wag asshats have popped up faster than Herpes on a Whore it's been killing us. They've literally over saturated the field with unqualified scabs who don't pay taxes.
We've been trying to up our game, we're redoing the website, upping our social media presence and putting our cards EVERYWHERE. I've decided today to add to that and I'm pretty excited.
I'm going to become certified in dog training and animal behavior. The Hubby is too. This SHOULD give us an edge. We already know a slew from following what other trainers do with our clients and we've always had a natural knack for it. Hell, one of my clients that Caesar Milan gave up on responds like a dream for me after working with him.
I'm excited. It's a new level above. Try to scab that, bitches.
This little girl is making me super happy <3
Mommy to: Misty-Allison-Elliot-Sebastian-Quinn
And our newest rugrat MISS MARLEE!!!
Great idea! I'm jealous. I took a class and went to a seminar but I have so much to learn about behavior and training. I wish I had opportunities to be certified
Care.com rejected me even though I'm a registered tech, but give 14 year olds with no experience babysitting jobs. Fuck that noise
I know you will do great because you have a ton of experience and good judgement-that's why I ask you for advice :) most importantly you have a love for animals and that's very important. You have to love what you do.
Teach my dog not to pee in the house when he gets kicked off the bed He seems to think coz he is up anyway he might as well go pee. in the hall. Apart from that he is fairly well toilet trained. My previous dog trainer also used to sell feed, she would get the pet mince from the butchers, cook it with rice and vegies and sell it as gourmet doggie food. Made a fair bit on the side from that too.
What your pup is doing would be a question for an animal behaviorist. If I were to guess, it's in retaliation for being kicked off the bed
Some things I've learned along the way. Like why some cats pee on their owners' bed or more specifically the pillow. If there is more than one cat in the home, there's always an alpha. The submissive cat feels vulnerable when the owner is away and since they work by scent glands, they choose the pillow to pee on to stand up to the alpha by making the owner by proxy their territory. Cats head bump for a reason. They have scent glands right below their ears on their temples and when they like you, they are trying to rub their scent on you to claim ownership lol.
As somebody who owns a lot of dogs (5) I'll tell you what I would love. An all in one person.
I would love a mobile van that pulls up, gives my dogs their yearly shots, basic blood test, heartworm/flea meds. Then they are walked, taught some basic commands, then given a good bath and groomed.
Are you sure he's not awake and trying to wake you up because he has to go outside?
My one cat (the queen bee) doesnt pee on my pillow, but her fave spot is right in front of it. I imagine it is the article that smells the most like me. If my other cat comes anywhere close to that area, she gets a bitch tap to the face
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