If someone wants to help me out, it is really committing to working for me. Here is the scenario. I have regular dogs that are walked daily, weekly, etc. I have relationships with these dogs and their owners. I know their habits, I know their schedule, I know their personalities, and they trust me. So do their parents. When you throw a random new person in to walk a dog it throws the whole balance off. Strangers are coming in to the house, and it can be daunting for the owner as well as the animal.
The cats that I watch are the same way. Aside from the medical visits, the instructions are so specific in most places that it would take me longer to write it out for someone than it would be to just do it myself. The cats get used to a certain person as well, we become like a second family member.
If I had said yes to the people willing to help in the past week, that would mean that I could possibly take on 5-10+ extra dogs per day. Then what happens when these people help for a few weeks and decide that their lives or other jobs get in the way of helping? Then I am stuck with a schedule that I can't handle and will have to let clients go. It's a double edged sword really. The work is out there if the commitment level is high. This is not for everyone though. We are like mailmen - out in all weather all day long. We work holidays, weekends, mornings, evenings... it's tough to juggle. So while I could use a break and would welcome the help, I know my clients would not want someone new in their house and I fear the temporary enthusiasm :)
If I needed coverage or backup (If I ever take a vacation) that would be another story, but I have had some clients for 15 years! They are used to me and my neurotic ways.
So apologies to all those people that have offered....I am simply not ready to try to figure this out yet, but it will always be in the back of my mind.
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