Reflecting (Prematurely) on V&MK9's 6 Month Anniversary

Image by Lauren Goldman, Newfound Moments Photography

November 6th marks my six-month anniversary of reopening Venus and Mars K9 after leaving an employee role in which I spent three and a half years. It feels like six months ago was a different lifetime, probably because I have been absolutely grinding my butt off. I have spent 5–7 days a week instructing, training, and providing care services for training clients. When I’m not doing that, I’m handling admin tasks, creating educational and promotional content, researching and reaching out to collaborators (businesses and rescues for training gigs), and overall constantly scheming up ways to improve my business. I’ve attended two 3-day dog training workshops in the last six months. Somehow, I’ve also managed to work more with my own dogs than ever. (I’m happy to report that Cupid both earned his CD last month and spent all summer gaining a bunch of new skills practicing water rescue with the North Central Newfoundland Club & Windy City K9.)

This “new business” project has completely consumed my life, but I have always let my Dog Job consume my life. For the first time, though, the stress has felt worth it—and so quickly, too. I thrive on inspiration, and I’ve experienced so much growth in just half a year. Even when exhausted, I feel much happier and healthier. I know I will eventually need to make more space for my personal life, but I believe I’m on the right track to do that soon as well.

The decision to restart my own business was daunting, and I’ve faced many periods of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Thankfully, more people than ever are talking openly about mental health, allowing me to recognize that my imposter syndrome was a simple and direct result of stress. And doubly thankfully (if that’s not a phrase, it should be), I have felt overwhelmingly supported by my clients, many of whom have showered me with validation that I’m on the right track and that I have been immensely helpful to them and their dogs. The testimonials people have written for me have warmed my heart and lifted me out of dark moments. It is clear that people care about supporting me and my business, and I am so grateful for it.

I will likely be a dog trainer for my whole life, Universe-willing. I am often my best self when coaching. I have many times found solace, during rough times in my personal life, in putting everything aside to focus on working with my students in group classes and private lessons. I’ve never taken time off for example to grapple with the emotional fallout of having to wash Cupid from IGP, or even mourn the end of long-term romantic relationships, because dog training actually comforts me. That’s powerful. I’m not usually very sentimental or woo-woo, but it’s easy to feel sentimental and woo-woo about my work with dogs and their people. My job gives me purpose, and I love it for that.

What are my goals for 2025? I hope to streamline my schedule, as it is currently all over the place. I’m excited to grow some new projects that are new enough to be jinxed, so I’ll keep them a secret for now. I  hope to play Newfie Water Rescue again next warm season. And I will likely be getting a new sport prospect puppy soon.

What about non-dog stuff? I look forward to visiting my best friend, who just moved to New Orleans—a place I visited once while on a road trip to pick up Cupid in the moments of 2020 immediately before lockdown, and I loved it so so much and have been wanting to go back ever since. I’m going to triumphantly flex my new scheduling freedom so hard to spend time with her, something I’ve wanted to do more for years. At home, I will be working hard to carve out more time with my significant other—time when all things canine will be forbidden from my mind, so I can focus on my beloved humans more. 

I’m also in a band now, and yes, two of the members are dog trainers.

Wish me luck! 

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