Ode to 2009

If you ever get a bit low, as we do at times, you may just find that the right remedy is to count your blessings.

One evening last week, my husband, Ruben, daughter, Michelle, and I were all at the table together and we started in remembering how much growth we had had in 2009. It was very impacting on the mood we were in at the time, and by the time I was done with the list, our spirits were quite lifted! It was encouraging to realize how much we had moved forward in one short year.

I would like to recap them to you in the best order I can (not necessarily chronological).

Ode to 2009:

•New walking clients whom we just adore!

•Our new van ~ "Hubble" whom we also adore!

•New logo colors, business card design, and flyers design.

•We started this blog site!

•Our classes grew into seminars and we have been invited to teach for the Inver Grove Heights Park & Rec, as well as the Ellsworth Community Ed.

•We produced 3 new cable shows last summer simultaneously.
~Our shows have grown from 20 minutes to 1 hour in run time.
~We have a good relationship with Braveheart, Inc. In Hastings, MN as a result of our "Adopting a Dog through a Shelter or Rescue" show which was filmed in part at Braveheart.

•I was interviewed for my Behavioral HELP for Dog’s Seminars on the cable television station in Cottage Grove to promote their Saturday classes.

•Flat Pennies Ice Cream in Hager City, WI invited us to come on their talk show called, "The Headlamp Show", hosted by Lorna Ross.

•We were invited to set up and field dog behavior questions at Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet in Cottage Grove and Red Wing, MN as well as the Tractor Supply Co. here in Prescott, WI. We also set up our booth at Prescott Daze. The 8x8 canvas booth we purchased last year got plenty of use!

•I joined the Ambassadors for the Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce in June. This group greets the new members and attends the ribbon cuttings. We also go to the businesses that are not yet chamber members and present the benefits of joining. I love being a part of this group!


Already in 2010:

•We are posting 2 - 2"x2' ads in the Yellow Pages for the first time. We designed them ourselves and they came out very nice.

•I have been preparing for the upcoming spring seminars. We are adding a "Start ‘em out Right ~ Puppies" seminar as well. Michelle will put together a power point presentation for this.

•I have also been composing articles about various aspects of dog ownership and training and submitting them to the International Association of Canine Professionals, of which I am a member. These will be posted on their website under ‘Articles’.

I hope this does not come across to you as a bragging session. That is certainly not my intent. Yes, 2009 was a very good year. More than that, though, much more good and progressive things happened and were set in place than we realized until we decided to count our blessings. I encourage you to do the same and you will not only be suprised, but you will find that you have a lilt to your step when you are done.


Good Success to you!

~Candiss DelCastillo, Owner

Walks & Wags Pet Service

http://www.walksandwags.biz/

Puppy Show ~ Lost & Found

We had quite an experience this month in regards to the next show in line for production. Our program entitled, "Start 'em out Right ~ Puppies!" was lost in the computer drive that had apparently crashed up at the studio where we edit. We had just been working on it all day the day before our station manager came in and found it was completely blank. He did what he could with it, and then broke the news to us via an email.

We were devestated. This show was 10 months in the making. It was also the most difficult to film and edit. At the time we received that email we were all completely done with it and ready to burn it to a DVD so it could be aired. It was that close! The show was probably more endeared to our hearts because of the precious puppies it contained.

For 2 weeks we prayed, asked others to pray, and set about to find a solution to retrieving this program that meant so much to us. Our station manager, Barry, was also doing a little research via forums and a few other resources as he had time. He didn't think it was possible to retreive the show however, so he finally told us emphatically that we would just have to do it over again.

I had no intention of redoing it, so we were at a stand still until 2 weeks to the day that we were told we had lost it, Barry called to tell us that he had it up on the screen and it would be a good idea to get there as soon as possible to render it and burn the disc. I was out on appointments all day, but thankfully Michelle was home. She dropped everything and ran up there - 1 mile - to do what it took to put a wrap on the show.

By the time I got there at 6pm, Barry was gone, but she was there burning our 5th copy. It was all complete and safe in our hands. I can't express how deeply greatful we are to have that show back. A part of us was in it and felt as if it had been ripped away. I think we exhaled with relief for at least 3 days afterwards. The show will air on Comcast Ch 16 in Prescott, WI and Ch 18 in Hastings, MN in March, 2010.

I would be remiss if I didn't end by telling you that the night before we got the show back, I was on my knees praying fervantly about this situation. I don't always pray on my knees, but this was one of those occasions that warranted it. I flipped open to a scripture in my bible in the book of Proverbs that said something to the effect of, "When a good word is heard, the people are happy..."(paraphrased). I asked God to give us a good word the next day and He sure did! We got the show back. :-)

Never give up.

I knew in my heart that we would find it, but I just didn't know when. It was still very difficult sometimes in that long two weeks. The word Faith has taken on a whole new meaning.

~Candiss DelCastillo
Walks & Wags Pet Service
http://www.walksandwags.biz/