Going to the dogs ( and cats!!)

[GoodgirlgoneBad]

Today my daughter and I went to the local Humane Society. I had to drop off the check from the fund raiser I did last month for them.

Both of us fell in love with all the animals. I cannot have animals in my apartment, so we decided to help out by volunteering to walk the dogs and comb the kitties. Dog walking is a weekly commitment for the next 3 months. Lord knows I need the walk myself!! There was a rotty that was so sweet!! My goal is to walk the dogs to a local park and being the friendly sort of person I am, striking up a conversation with kids and people. If they say what a nice doggie I have, it is my turn to say something like, "Oh him??? Yes, he is nice, but he is not mine. He could be yours, he is an orphan at the Humane Society looking for a home. I am just out giving him a bit of exercise.

I spoke with the director and offered to give a certificate for a half hour massage to everyone who adopted a pet. She declined, because they couldnt play favorites with businesses. But, she did say I could be part of thier upcoming event in September. I forgot what she called it, but about 100 people come to the shelter on a late September Saturday to walk the animals. They give each participant a goodie bag. She said I could either set up a chair and give free massages (which I do not want to do - I would be swamped!! I would have to do it for free. OR she would let me put a certificate in the bag for something free. Subway is putting in a coupon for a free sub. I told her I could do a coupon for a free 15 minute chair massage in my office OR $15 off any other service.

Off the top of her head she suggested a free 30 minute massage coupon. She admited she knew nothing about how massage was priced. She didnt want just a coupon for $$ off. She specifically wanted only FREE things to be put in the goodie bag. She reluctantly agreed to my terms of my offer. I really think she thought I was only trying to build my business.

Personally, my business is full enough that I do not need to go through the bother of giving away free 30 minute coupons any longer. They also generate much more laundry than a chair massage.

Truthfully, I believe the more I help others (even animals) the more I and my business will thrive. Perhaps she is not accustomed to smaller businesses such as mine to be so generous?? I mean, after all subway is going to give a free sub coupon to 100 people and they are such a big business!!

I recommend contacting your local humane society to see if they would allow you to do something similar.

Christine

 

[applegrance]

i want to add that alot of humane societies are in need of clean towels, (and lots of other stuff too). i plan on changing my towels soon and plan to give my old ones to my local chapter. (they don't fit with my home decor)

ps. i got my kitty, boo from the humane society. i wish there were homes for all of them.