Our sweet, loveable, English Labrador client broke a phalange yesterday. And our hearts are simply broken for him. Broken!
Following a late afternoon walk session, I observed a dramatic limp to his stride, deciding to dart immediately to the emergency veterinary hospital. The doctor, after performing a physical examination with no evidence of obstruction such as embedded glass or even pad irritation, recommended X-rays which I authorised; and she discovered a broken phalange, or rather, the broken equivalent of the human’s pinky finger.
Ruling my client’s condition as a freak incident, the doctor surmises the cause to have be an awkward step in the client’s hop. He could have walked upon uneven ground, he could have stubbed a toe, or he simply could have struck the ground oddly. The prognosis, that of full recovery, shall involve six weeks of dormancy. Our little puppy cannot climb stairs, venture onto walks, or become excited.
Sitting with our puppy’s beautiful owner for several hours, we could read her broken heart, in her eyes. Owning a business in which caring for something so sweet, living, and breathing is so very challenging because of the emotional investment. We are invested not only in the canines, but in their humans, too. It is like no other experience. The handsome English labrador remained strong throughout the procedure. His mother did, too.
Due to these unexpected events, those which added four hours to my abnormally short 11-hour work day, we canceled the first real social gala that was scheduled since the inception of our business. Dinner with friends was scheduled for Eden, a raw vegan restaurant, where we planned to drink KungFu Girl Wine.
And to eat Sea Pizza.
And I believe that last night’s decision to sit with my human client instead of keeping my social calendar with good friends truly shows that I am a committed entrepreneur who loves her business, with all of her heart. And although I might not have time for conventional friendships, I do have time for a few things, other than mothering Gwendolyn and creating a perfect body.
I have time for shoes.
And jewels.
And wine.
And tights.
And film.
And shopping during 15-minute lunch breaks.
My friends might be disappointed, and that saddens me, as I have really good friends for whom I’d jump through fire. I do hope to arrange a replacement session for sometime soon, whether that be next week or next year. But I am a very fulfilled entrepreneur, and business shall always trump conventional pleasure. Business is my pleasure. And I look forward to caring for my client, as he mends back to good health.
What is something that you sacrifice, for your business?
© Nicole Marie Story Enterprises, LLC and nicoleandgwendolyn.com, 2011 – 2013.
I love it when you do posts about your business. You are living a dream.
You just made my little sad heart a little bit happier. Thank you:)
That poor pretty pooch!! The healing will be complete in no time! I think it’s fabulous you stayed with your client. True dedication, and friends should ALWAYS understand that work comes first..ALWAYS! Now sexy men on the other hand, ALSO come before friends..and they just have to shut it and deal with that too.
A sexy man was attending the dinner, too, but we have rescheduled:)
Very professional. I envy you for finding a career/job you are passionate about. And working with animals is wonderful. You did the right thing. You rock.
xoxoxoxo
Francoise
Thank you for your very kind words. [Remaining comment deleted for privacy purposes].
OMG! That poor puppy. He’s lucky to have you. You do your business (gosh, I can’t even call it your job – your LIFE) with such dedication and care. You are wonderful!
And those shoes! Superb!
I love that you chose “life” to replace “business!” You get me so damn much!!! My life is a business. Everything is about earning a profit. When I am 50, I shall be in France at bistros, having mid day wine with my friends, including those from Lithuania. Lunchtime in my 50s shall be restful. And then back to work:) xo
50?! Oh, come on visit us sooner ;) I have plans moving this year. Sadly not to NYC, however I hope I visit there before I’m 50. :))
An again – don’t forget to take care of yourself. You come first before any businesses ;)
I just awoke from a slumber in which we were emailing each other in my dream!!! It was a beautiful email. I shall email you about it offline!
Oh the poor puppy! I hope he gets better soon. His cast breaks my heart :-(
I love your shoes, the jewels, and especially love your tights! I wore the pair you gave me (Pappap’s funeral day) just the other day to work. They are a hit. I need to go and invest in a few more designs. You will have to remind me the size and everything to buy :-)
Heart and miss you!
I bought 3 pairs! 3 for $30! Thus I shall dispatch a pair to you, little tator tot! I heart ud., and snap lots of photos at your evening gala!
Glad to hear puppy is on the mend, and when you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life (as they say) :-)
Annie hall- the best!
Woody Allen is my hero (too bad he’s not taller) ;-)
Xoxo
I’d have sex with Woody Allen at any age.
:)
This was not your fault. Exuberant puppies get hurt sometimes and that is healthy, so please don’t fret. He was having a great time.
You did the right thing, staying with the pup and your client. I don’t agree with the above comment that it is ever acceptable to dump friends for penis, but for someone in need? Absolutely.
Thank you for your reassuring comment, from the bottom of my heart. xoxoxo
In regards to the last photo of this post, in which you are shopping, that leg of yours peeking out from behind a fabulous dress appears to be slimming down quite nicely. I now give a one woman toast to the success of your current slim down. Cheers!
LOVE your observation, to my heart’s fullest capacity. Thank you!!! Oh thank you!!! :)
It’s a broken toe. Come on. Both you and your client need
to get over yourselves. Broken hearts are for real pain and
suffering, this is nothing in comparison. Drama.
What is real pain and suffering?
Traumatic brain injury. Dementia. Being rendered immobile from a stroke. Cancer. Losing a home to fire. War. Losing a child. Watching a human or animal die. Losing a limb. Genocide. Extreme poverty.
Broken toe is a bummer. Not a heartbreak.
I see! I am so happy that I’m now aware of what is and is not considered as reason for heart break! Thank you for setting me straight!
Any time. I know you have no capacity to understand emotions. Glad to help.
Again, so eternally grateful! Mwah!
Poor Labrador. Your client looks like my aunts dog did when he was young. He was put down recently, seeing another golden lab stabbed me a bit. I hope the pup recovers quickly.
I could never do what you do, I love dogs (all animals really) and could spend all day with them, but when it comes to picking up poop… bleck. I don’t envy you.
Awww, the poor puppy. Love the first picture of Gwendolyn though, even though she looks sad :(