The extra mile

I do what I do because I love doing it.  I’m lucky, my job is something I’d do even if I didn’t get paid for it (but we all need to keep a roof over our heads!!).  It never feels like work, even if I’m up to my arms in cat poo and smelly litter trays.  (I take care of dogs, rabbits, and other creatures too, but it’s mostly cats.)

 

Once the feeding and litter are sorted, to sit and be with a cat, letting them cuddle into me, letting them feel and know the Reiki they’re enjoying, is just wonderful.  I am very blessed.  And I know they are too.  No false modesty here!!  (For any new readers of my blog, I am a pet sitter with added Reiki, quite unique in my local area.  So all visits to feed animals automatically come with Reiki too, and I see time and again how much they enjoy it and benefit from it.)

 

My visits are timed to be 30 minutes each.  Sometimes people ask me to come and do longer visits, which is fantastic, as they enjoy it so much.  What happens in that 30 minutes varies a lot, it depends on how many cats there are, what needs doing, whether there are litter trays or not, and how many, and much else besides.  On some visits, the “chores” might only take a couple of minutes, so I have the rest of the time to spend with the animal, whereas others might take up to 20 minutes, leaving less time.

 

For me, and for most of the animals I visit, although they need their food and litter tending to, what they really want is plenty of love and attention.  And even those who aren’t quite as tactile, who might even go and sit in another room, – but really, not so many of those – still need to know I’m there.  Just because they’re choosing to be elsewhere doesn’t for one moment mean they’re not appreciating my presence.  And they’ll still receive their Reiki. 

 

It often feels that 30 minutes goes so quickly, and before I know it I’m off again.  (Some animal visitors only plan on 20 minute visits, I really don’t know how that works.)  I’d always love to stay longer, and the animals often tell me that too.   In their own, but very straightforward way! 

 

If I have a busy day, then I have to stick at 30 minute visits, otherwise I’d never get to them all.  And it’s so important that I don’t feel rushed.  My energy needs to be calm and relaxed, otherwise it affects the quality of the Reiki they’ll receive from me.  But I have days that are quieter, and I like nothing better than to take longer with my visits.  In particular, if I sense that a cat is feeling anxious, or perhaps is a little poorly, then if at all possible I do stay with them for longer. 

 

I enjoy going the extra mile.  I provide a service, and for me that’s what it’s all about.  We all gain – the animals are happier, and I just love spending more time with them.  Sometimes the extra mile is spent in other ways though.  It’s often the case that people leave to head off on holiday in a hurry, and the washing up is still piled around the sink.  As long as it doesn’t impact on the time I spend with the animals, then I’ll take care of that.  After all, it’s quite difficult for me to do the cat bowl cleaning every day if I can’t get to the sink!!!  And dried on food tends to smell a bit after a while too.  And when I think about it, lots of other things that I do too, just to help everyone to be a little happier.   If it’s in my power to do something, and I have the time, then I will.

 

 The vast majority of my lovely clients are always very appreciative.  Sadly I’ve had one or two who have taken this for granted in the past (if I’ve told them I’ve stayed longer because I had some extra time that day, they’ve then asked another time if I have some extra time, can I spend it with their cats).  And very unfortunately, an awful experience just before Christmas this year, which was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before, and hope to never again.  Not going to say any more about that, still upsets me too much to think about it.  I must admit, that when people take advantage of my good nature and desire to do the best I can, it has stopped me in my tracks.  But not for long.  I remember that it’s only a very very small minority, and that I couldn’t be, and wouldn’t want to be, any other way. 

 

I can’t think of any other job I’ve ever had where going the extra mile made me quite as happy!