Bad Day at Work in Diary

I’ve just had my first minor spat with a customer. About six weeks ago he paid for me to look after his dog for the day, then cancelled at the last minute and asked if I could do it next day instead. I said yes to keep him sweet, but then he cancelled again just before I was due to collect the dog, and he said I could keep the money.

Tonight he sent me a text asking if I could have his dog tomorrow for 10 hours. I told him my price and said I normally only do eight hours but I’d do 10 for him. He shot back with “To be honest, if I’d been made aware of a credit deadline I would of (sic) used it…“

Firstly, he told me I could keep the money so he shouldn’t be complaining. Secondly, ALL other pet sitters charge for any cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice, which is something I’m now doing and have in my terms and conditions. Did he really expect me to keep his money in credit indefinitely, for an indefinite amount of care sessions cancelled at the last minute? I can’t run a business in that way and I’m sure most other businesses don’t allow it either, pet sitting or anything.

He agreed to pay half price sigh I’ve got to keep him sweet though as he says he’s probably going to need me more often in the future. It’s a tough line to tread; making sure your customers are happy versus earning enough money to pay the bills.

I took out the two huskies for the first time today and they pulled me so much I was dripping with sweat within five minutes and almost threw up with the effort. I ended up just sitting down on the ground to try and get my breath back. And that was only a 30 minute walk; they want me to walk them for an hour three times a week starting next week. I’m not sure how I’m going to cope. I’m going to persevere and see if I can get them to calm down a bit, but if I can’t then I don’t know if I can do it :o( Between them they weigh almost the same as I do but they’re stronger than me and it’s constant pullpullpullpull jumpjumpjump yankyankyank with no respite, not to mention when they get tangled up or one of them goes behind me so my legs get tangled in the leads.

A bad day at work, I hope tomorrow is better.

It was may last roller derby session tonight before my next attempt at the safe to skate test on Friday. This will be my third attempt and I just hope Gemma Witton doesn’t get in my way again as she’s the only reason I failed the 23 laps in 5 minutes…! They don’t really give us any chance to practice this so I don’t know how we’re supposed to improve but I’ve been trying to get a few laps in when I can. To get 23 in 5 we need to average 13 seconds per lap. I’ve been counting in my head and I think I’m doing about 11 seconds per lap, so as long as I can keep that up for five minutes, that works out at 27 laps so I should have plenty of leeway! As long as I don’t fall or someone gets in my way…

I sound like a proper wingebag today. I still need to write about our trip to Manchester.