Yay! I'm phlegmish!

[wendyzski]

Why the rejoicing that I'm coughing goops again?

Becaus it means that I'm actually sick instead of that sort of halfway "am i coming down with something" that I've had since New years. And this particular form of "actually sick" is easily treatable with my trusty Z-pack!

I called my doc and asked that, since I am seeing her on Saturday anyway, could she just call in "my usual" to the pharmacy so I could get started and then we could check in on Saturday if I was worse or better. so Yaaaay!

I did a focus group tonight - SitterCity.com is thinking about starting a pet-sitting site and were looking for pet owners for some initial brainstorming. I got pizza, $50, and a chance to be heard on behalf of people who have something other than a cat or dog. I'll write more tomorrow - We came to some interesting conclusions about the various types of pet owners, but there was one thing i had to mention right away.

We were discussing various spins, "value" vs "exclusivity", "boutique" etc, because they rightly suspected that lots of pet owners totally spoil their pets. I had to say that I actually had a negative response to "exclusivity", as for me that has connotations of those crazy rich people with the purse puppies, etc. One woman has a roomate who works at the club next door, and she says that some woman actually tried to check a chihuahua at the coat check room last weekend. wow.

Comments

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

When I hear something or someplace is "exclusive" the question that comes to my mind is, "Who is being excluded, and why?"

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Well, they are trying to market to people who buy organic dog treats, doggy birthday cakes, and cashmere doggy-sweaters, because those people have lots of money.

We actually had a guy who talked all about how his dog is his kid and how he buys organic this and whole grain that but admits that his dog is spoiled and badly behaved. Um - dude, I'll bet you'd both be a lot happier with a decent vet-formulated diet, some proper obedience training, and some more playtime in the park with you. Dogs aren't people (or accessories) - they are dogs.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

As Pa put it, not completely jokingly, "Dogs is dogs."

[alliesutherland.livejournal.com]

I will say that I would pay extra to have someone play with/spend one-on-one time with Pudgie if I had to board her. My heart breaks if I think of her in "doggy jail" for a long period of time. I had to pay extra for her to have two walks and time in the dog runs at a local vet; otherwise, they just have them poop and pee in the kennel, and only open the door to feed them. :(

She's spoiled, but she's that way because she's my main companion during my time at home (pretty much all the time). She's used to being where I am, getting up to join me, or sitting by the door waiting for me if I'm gone.

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Oh I agree - Dogs are needy and need people-play. It's just that people like mr organic-dog-food need a good shaking sometimes.

This company is pretty much the match.com of babysitters. You registers and pay a fee and put up listings for jobs or sitters can list themselves. They can list qualifications, special training, and the site partners with a 3rd party for background checks. So you can find Non-smoking sitters with first aid certification who have a car and are available Friday afternoons. You interview and pay the sitters yourself - they provide the content and search capability.

They are thinking about starting up a pet-sitting division, and we were doing an initial brainstorming session about the kinds of things they should offer. So you could find someone who could come to your home twice a day to walk and exercise your dog, would do a little grooming, etc.

[surlywench.livejournal.com]

uhm...congrats on finally getting sick? LOL - I'm not quite sure how to field that one... ;)
Also, I saw the backcover ad for this issue of Renaissance - minstrosity is pictured in an inset for a faire. Thought of you and giggled a bit in that "Hey! I *know* her!!" way.

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

hrm - which faire? (cuz use of our images are covered under contract, and if we are being used to advertise a show we've not signed for there may be a problem)

[surlywench.livejournal.com]

I seriously don't even remember if I even looked at the name of the show!
I can look and let you know tomorrows when I go back :)