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July
27, 2016 -
After years of rehab and
recovery I
got a job as a p/t Greeter at
Walmart with help from the Illinois
Department of Rehabilitation
and SPARC
to
earn income while making
new friends and rekindle friendships that
I never
could by sitting at home.
(Sooner
or later, just about everyone in our vicinity walks
through those doors.)
February
2, 2017 – Due to age, pain from sitting /
standing for extended periods, and
medications I
resigned from Walmart.
I did my best to
hang on one day at a time
but it
wasn't working out. (I still
can't believe that I
endured that long.)
The
more I worked, the
worse I hurt. (It's
difficult to continually appear
cheerful when you hurt.) I
was devastated!
I
felt that if I couldn't even succeed
as a Greeter at Walmart,
what could I do?
I
was giving up when
I found
Rover's work from home program
After
filling out the
application, passing the
background check and meeting the
requirements, I got my
first booking within
the hour of
notification of
acceptance from
a lady in Chicago that
was planning a trip to
Springfield. I
remember it well because
I
thought that it would
take weeks, months or
never like everything
else that I tried.
(My
only qualifications are
love for dogs, common
sense, a cell phone and
time.)
I
knew
virtually nothing about
Rover and was totally
unprepared. My
cell phone was low on
battery and was charging
in an outlet close to
the floor. I laid
down on the floor to
talk while trying to
text.
It was a very nice lady
from Chicago 4 - 5 hours
away from here. She
was coming here for the
weekend and needed a dog
sitter.
At
the time I was
petrified!!!
That was a long time
ago. I have supplemented
my retirement income watching dogs
through Rover
without risking any of
my own money ever since. It has
graduated into the
easiest and only
successful money making
venture that I've
ever
attempted.
Rover
offers an app to
download on cell phones;
then dog owners can
simply click on the app
to search the desired
zip code or city to find
sitters in the
area. Then Rover
refers them to you. (It's
that easy!!!)
BY
the end of 2017, I
watched
dogs from Indiana,
Missouri, Virginia,
Washington D.C., W.
Virginia and most
notably S. Korea along
with a countless number
from nearby communities
here in Illinois all
booked through
Rover. (I only
began doing this for
Rover five
months earlier in mid
July.)
After
years of searching, I
found my calling!!!
Now,
I have a reason. (I'm a
firm believer that
everyone needs a reason.) I get to
supplement my retirement
/ disability income
while lounging around
all day with
dogs. Since
my injury, I have
trouble around people. I
can't keep up, get
nervous and talk to fast
rambling on about
nothing. I don't
have that problem with
dogs.
I've
experienced medical
emergencies when dog
lovers came for a
routine visit to a
hospital only to be kept
weeks for emergency
surgeries & / or
extended rehab... Or
needed to travel to
Atlanta at the spur of a
moment to be with their
daughter at the birth of
their first grandchild.
A daughter traveling to
Chicago to visit her
dying mother.
People traveling to
other states for medical
treatment. A
Military Member
returning home from
overseas to see his
family for Christmas.
Another coming here for
a wedding. And
many others... All
needing to leave their
fur-babies with a
complete stranger with little
notice. Having
been in similar
situations, HOW COULD WE
TURN THEM AWAY???
My life has literally
gone to the dogs and I'm
"LUVIN"
it!!!. I love
what I do!!! (It
feels good to be needed
again!)
Not
bad for a man that was
told by his doctor,
"Odds are that you
will NEVER
improve!!!" (At
this point, I must admit
that I couldn't do this
without my wife's help.
She helps me with every
aspect including meet
& greets,
medications, scheduling,
feeding. billing, taxes
etc...)
Personally,
I don't feel that You
could ask for a
better sitter!!!
I
Count
my Blessings
everyday! I was given
something most people
never get, a second
chance and I
owe it to a dog that my
daughter came dragging home
only a short time before
that I never wanted. He
saved my life.
However, I wasn't able to
return the favor!!
I've felt guilty ever
since!!! I'm
trying to return the
favor!!!
With
him gone, along with me
knowing that I can never
replace him, I appreciate others
allowing me to watch
theirs.
Most dogs enjoy being
with me knowing
how much I enjoy being
with them! I NEVER
leave them unattended unless
it's absolutely necessary.
I bake them healthy
treats.
I pull a dog trailer
with my tricycle
around the neighborhood
or simply spend time
relaxing in our
back yard listening to
music while watching
dogs, birds and butterflies.
(weather
permitting)
On hot, cold and rainy
days I watch television while
reminiscing about family, friends, previous co-workers and pets
that have came and gone through the
years; especially
Capone
& Jake.
(What started out as a
form of rehab to meet
people, gain confidence,
self worth/respect, and
earn a little "Fun
Money" quickly
evolved into a viable
retirement income doing something
that I love!!!)
I TAKE THIS VERY
SERIOUSLY! I GIVE YOU
MY WORD!!!
(I am proud
to add that I have
watched well over 100 dogs
referred to me by Rover
without a negative
experience or
complaint.)
YOUR TRUST MEANS THE
WORLD TO ME!!!
I know that you must love
dog(s) as much as
I do or you wouldn't
have read this far.
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT
ME with questions or
concerns.
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Thank you for your
interest,
Rick
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I
love being a dog sitter with Rover
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