The Hunger Games - aka "The Dog Walking Profession"

Dog walking as a profession is dangerous business. Consider that every day, a professional dog walker is confronted with one or more of the following:

Stray dogs looking for a fight, cars on the road with texting drivers, faulty equipment that makes for runaway dogs, combative homeowners with baseball bats persuading you GET OFF HIS LAWN!, aloof dog owners walking toward you – (you know, the ones with Cujo on their 50 ft fishing line retractable), the snow, the rain, the wind, the ice, the heat. But most importantly and certainly not to be overlooked are the other dog walkers. Not the aforementioned dog owner dog walkers with the retractables, but the competitive and dutifully contracted dog walkers. They’re everywhere. Ever see that movie “They Live” with Roddy Piper?  Its like that. You never know which are professional walkers and which aren’t until you put the x-ray sunglasses on (this makes sense if you’ve seen the movie of course – if not, just know it was from the 80’s).  Those who are pros, like my staff for instance, are always on the lookout for other pros. Why? Ever see West Side Story? Yeah. I know you’ve seen that one. Well, that’s why. I’m talking about the Muts vs The Sharks. Its cutthroat out there. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these walkers are with chains, blades, and brass knuckles. I once heard a pro dog walker I know singing "Maria" to the dog he was with. I steered clear. These people will do ANYTHING to steal your work. They stalk you as you make your rounds, taking notes as to where your clients live so that they can send them a coupon for their services along with an erroneous letter from a “neighbor” that they witness you beat their dog every day. They will slash your tires, and egg your car. They will put their dog client’s poop bags on your client’s stoop so as to disenfranchise them with you. Oh yes. These people are sick. They are desperate and a ruthless bunch and when the sun goes down and your walking that 10PM booking before bed, I say to stay off the streets is the best way to stay alive.  I give you, Exhibit A, an email, to our company from one of these crazies...

To whom it may concern,

I see your staff out and about in Windsor and Bloomfield all the time walking dogs. I know because I see their T-shirts. I don't know if you know this but this is my territory. I've lived here for 6 years and have worked very hard for my clients. I don't like that you think its ok for you to grow your business in this town. There are people like me who depend on my clients and if they see you out and about walking other dogs they're liable to think that they can have you do it to. I don't want to resort to legal actions so I'm asking you nicely now to please walk dogs in another town. 

Sincerely, 

........................

Duly noted, crazy lady.