A while back I mentioned that I've started a small business/ complete with website. I was not going to tell you about it yet as it is still under construction and there is not an accessible format. It is built entirely through Flash and that will make a screen reader very angry, but I did want to tell you about it and see what you have to say. So, I do apologise to my screen reader user friends. There will be an accessible form designed since that is something I do feel strongly about.
Fifteen Facts About My Mystery Business
1. It is called Furdemonium. Yep, that is the title. Be forewarned that the website is not done yet.
2. The idea came to me as I was browsing the internet reading about different rescues and the animals' surrender/rehoming stories. It dawned on me that often people get pets they are not prepared for or know nothing about and need a resource to assist them to make it easier for both them and the animals. This also stems from my own rehoming experience. I hope with my services that I am able to reduce the amount of rehoming/surrendering that happens by being proactive instead of reactive.
3. So, what is this business? I am a Pet Consultant. Yeesh, it sounds silly putting it out there like that, but my main service is providing people with information about different kinds of pets and whether or not that kind is right for them. I.E., dog VS. cat, Labrador VS. Collie.
4. I have been spending a lot of time on the internet as of late trying to make contact with people I could refer my clients to-when I get some. I am always surprised at who doesn't respond and then who does.
5. We want the Welcome photo to be of Glacier sitting under Big Ben.
6. I would like to feature an animal weekly who is in need of a home-kind of like how a lot of the blogging community does. I haven't heard back from any rescue organisations so far.
7. I thought Mr. K would say no and tell me I was crazy, but he actually built the website for me. What a patient, amazing man.
8. All of the products I have reviewed, or will review, have been used by me and my dogs and/or cats. If another person were to write an article for the site about a product, I would want them to have had experience with it...and then I'd probably go use it as well before the article was published. LOL
9. I've talked to Newtrix-the only head collar I really like for several reasons-and there is only one supplier in the whole of the UK. Once my business is sustainable/stable, I will be supplying Newtrix to the UK as well. I am very excited about this. (If you are a service dog user and you would like to use a Newtrix with your dog, contact them and tell them you have a service dog. They will sell the head harness to you for 25 dollars instead of the 40 dollars regular price).
10. I feel very strange promoting my business and probably won't talk much about it again once I have the website for you. I feel like my blog is a personal place and business does not belong here. I figured this out after writing half of today's post. LOL
11. Going back to Mr. K's wonderful web designing skills-he said he will be able to "decorate" my site for holidays like Halloween and Christmas. I might even jazz it up a bit for Glacier and Roscoe's birthdays. I love little personal touches like that.
12. One of the other services I provide is party planning. I am extremely excited about this service as I had such a great time planning the puppy shower and Jetta's birthdays and retirement parties. I have so many ideas swimming around in my head!
13. I am so excited to have the opportunity to develop one of my passions into a career. It may be slow moving, but I can't wait to see where Furdemonium will bring me. Well, not just me-Glacier, Roscoe and Mr. K too. :)
14. Any feedback is always welcome.
15. And, the moment you all have been waiting for...the link! Okay, perhaps you haven't been waiting for it, but here it is anyway. Furdemonium can be found
here.
Happy viewing and happy Friday. :)
Showing posts with label A Decisions Decisions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Decisions Decisions. Show all posts
Friday, August 05, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I Think I Need More Coffee
Do you ever have those days when you feel like you've been run over by a truck? I may be having one of those today. What I think is happening is that I'm so excited/worried/doing a million things/going crazy about this move to Scotland that I think I'm getting a bit worn out. Notice how I did list "excited" first? I am excited-super excited. I wish we were leaving now! Wait, I think I've said that before. There are a few reasons for that and one of them being that if I could just hit a huge fast forward button, we'd be there and we could skip this stressful stage of moving.
Last night I hauled two jam packed garbage bags full of mine and Mr. K's stuff downstairs and stacked them with the other two bags and one box sitting in our dining room. We've already sent three or four bags to Good Will and these, and I'm sure a few more, will join them. We're selling some things, but other unsellable items are getting donated.
We also filled our first vaccuum pack bag with linens that we're taking and it made me realise how much we're going to have to leave here. It's just too expensive to either ship the stuff or to take extra bags. Mr. K looked up costs for extra baggage last night and we both had a bit of a freak out. It basically means we're taking less stuff, including my bass which we need to sell. We still have a few other things up for sale, but with the move getting closer and closer, we're running out of time to sell them and that is nerve wracking in itself. Here is a small list of things we have up for sale:
-my electric bass guitar complete with travel case
-Mr. K's car
-our dryer
-our Queen sized bed
-Matilda (my road bike),
-my hot stone set (for massage),
-a bed frame (double sized)
and who knows what else. We also have a bunch of kitchen stuff we're giving away, like plate sets, flatware, pots, baking tools Etc.
Then, on top of all this, I had received an email from the woman who helped me fill out my application to Queen Margaret University back in january. She had noticed that my name wasn't in the acceptance letters and wondered what had happened. I told her and she offered to check and make sure that my aplication was up for consideration for 2012. I had been told that it was, but it doesn't hurt to have things triple checked right? By the sounds of her response, things still weren't organised properly, but she assures me that my application is now in for consideration. Wait, what? I thought it already was. Either these people are completely disorganised or lack communication skills. I've decided that a visit to the QMU campus is in order once we're settled in. I may decide after visiting that perhaps attending QMU is not an option. If their acceptance process is any indication of how the program is run, I don't think I want to be going there...but we'll see.
I've also been freaking about getting Glacier and Roscoe's paperwork worked out. We have to have the seven page document stamped for each dog. Originally, we were going to get that done early, but the USDA dude told me that we couldn't do that until the six month period had expired. I think I have since figured out that that is incorrect. I wish people who had no idea what they were talking about would keep their misinformation to themselves. I have contacted the Animal Reception people to make sure I'm correct and if I am, we'll be making a visit to Mr. USDA guy sooner than later. I have read that if animals go over to the UK without the six month period being finished, they can finish it in a kennel. If that is the case, the documentation can be stamped before the expiration of the time because that stamp needs to be on the paperwork before the animal leaves its country of origin. Did I lose you yet?
Oh yeah and then I had to dig through the DEFRA website to find out what kind of flea/tick/tape worm treatments are acceptable. I copy and pasted that to our vet. All we need is to show up 24 hours before we're to leave and have them tell us that they don't have the correct treatments. I think I've mentioned this before, but we have to get the dogs "flea dipped" (AKA treated for fleas/ticks/tape worms) no more than 48 hours before departure, but no less than 24 hours. Fun, fun.
I've also been job searching like a maniac. I did get a reply from one potential employer and I filled out a job application this morning. I'm really hoping something comes of it. It seems like a really neat organisation, but I'll keep that to myself until I know more.
I've also been doing more research into dog training. It's a notion that won't go away. I've emailed a few rescue organisations and trainers with not much luck. One breed specific organisation did email me back, but just to tell me that they only need experienced handlers and people familiar with that breed. Please tell me how that is good for your RESCUE organisation?! I had told her that I wanted to know more about the breed and that I would love to help out any way possible, including administration duties. Her response shocked me. She wasn't rude, but quite elitist. It's like because I don't know anything about that breed, then I'm not invited into the club. Erm, how are people supposed to get to know that breed? How are people supposed to know if that breed is right for them? Wouldn't it cut down on rehomings and such things if people were actually allowed to get to know the breed of dog they are thinking of buying/adopting?
Out of the six trainers I emailed, one responded, but I think I may come on a bit strong or a little over enthusiastic. I haven't heard back from him. Then again, he could be busy, but I think I was a bit over zealous in responding. I was just so excited someone actually replied and gave me useful information.
The personal training courses seem to have hit a wall. A few of the places I have contacted have not responded and the one that did, dropped off the face of the planet once I told him I was blind; slightly suspicious. It's fine. I think it would have been too expensive for me to pursue that avenue anyway.
So, really, that has been it in a nut shell but when you are living it it is very easy to get emotionally frazzled for no reason. I just really need to step back and get some perspective. Maybe a massage would be nice...or I'll just have another cup of coffee-it's cheaper. :)
Last night I hauled two jam packed garbage bags full of mine and Mr. K's stuff downstairs and stacked them with the other two bags and one box sitting in our dining room. We've already sent three or four bags to Good Will and these, and I'm sure a few more, will join them. We're selling some things, but other unsellable items are getting donated.
We also filled our first vaccuum pack bag with linens that we're taking and it made me realise how much we're going to have to leave here. It's just too expensive to either ship the stuff or to take extra bags. Mr. K looked up costs for extra baggage last night and we both had a bit of a freak out. It basically means we're taking less stuff, including my bass which we need to sell. We still have a few other things up for sale, but with the move getting closer and closer, we're running out of time to sell them and that is nerve wracking in itself. Here is a small list of things we have up for sale:
-my electric bass guitar complete with travel case
-Mr. K's car
-our dryer
-our Queen sized bed
-Matilda (my road bike),
-my hot stone set (for massage),
-a bed frame (double sized)
and who knows what else. We also have a bunch of kitchen stuff we're giving away, like plate sets, flatware, pots, baking tools Etc.
Then, on top of all this, I had received an email from the woman who helped me fill out my application to Queen Margaret University back in january. She had noticed that my name wasn't in the acceptance letters and wondered what had happened. I told her and she offered to check and make sure that my aplication was up for consideration for 2012. I had been told that it was, but it doesn't hurt to have things triple checked right? By the sounds of her response, things still weren't organised properly, but she assures me that my application is now in for consideration. Wait, what? I thought it already was. Either these people are completely disorganised or lack communication skills. I've decided that a visit to the QMU campus is in order once we're settled in. I may decide after visiting that perhaps attending QMU is not an option. If their acceptance process is any indication of how the program is run, I don't think I want to be going there...but we'll see.
I've also been freaking about getting Glacier and Roscoe's paperwork worked out. We have to have the seven page document stamped for each dog. Originally, we were going to get that done early, but the USDA dude told me that we couldn't do that until the six month period had expired. I think I have since figured out that that is incorrect. I wish people who had no idea what they were talking about would keep their misinformation to themselves. I have contacted the Animal Reception people to make sure I'm correct and if I am, we'll be making a visit to Mr. USDA guy sooner than later. I have read that if animals go over to the UK without the six month period being finished, they can finish it in a kennel. If that is the case, the documentation can be stamped before the expiration of the time because that stamp needs to be on the paperwork before the animal leaves its country of origin. Did I lose you yet?
Oh yeah and then I had to dig through the DEFRA website to find out what kind of flea/tick/tape worm treatments are acceptable. I copy and pasted that to our vet. All we need is to show up 24 hours before we're to leave and have them tell us that they don't have the correct treatments. I think I've mentioned this before, but we have to get the dogs "flea dipped" (AKA treated for fleas/ticks/tape worms) no more than 48 hours before departure, but no less than 24 hours. Fun, fun.
I've also been job searching like a maniac. I did get a reply from one potential employer and I filled out a job application this morning. I'm really hoping something comes of it. It seems like a really neat organisation, but I'll keep that to myself until I know more.
I've also been doing more research into dog training. It's a notion that won't go away. I've emailed a few rescue organisations and trainers with not much luck. One breed specific organisation did email me back, but just to tell me that they only need experienced handlers and people familiar with that breed. Please tell me how that is good for your RESCUE organisation?! I had told her that I wanted to know more about the breed and that I would love to help out any way possible, including administration duties. Her response shocked me. She wasn't rude, but quite elitist. It's like because I don't know anything about that breed, then I'm not invited into the club. Erm, how are people supposed to get to know that breed? How are people supposed to know if that breed is right for them? Wouldn't it cut down on rehomings and such things if people were actually allowed to get to know the breed of dog they are thinking of buying/adopting?
Out of the six trainers I emailed, one responded, but I think I may come on a bit strong or a little over enthusiastic. I haven't heard back from him. Then again, he could be busy, but I think I was a bit over zealous in responding. I was just so excited someone actually replied and gave me useful information.
The personal training courses seem to have hit a wall. A few of the places I have contacted have not responded and the one that did, dropped off the face of the planet once I told him I was blind; slightly suspicious. It's fine. I think it would have been too expensive for me to pursue that avenue anyway.
So, really, that has been it in a nut shell but when you are living it it is very easy to get emotionally frazzled for no reason. I just really need to step back and get some perspective. Maybe a massage would be nice...or I'll just have another cup of coffee-it's cheaper. :)
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