Something to be Excited About

As you most likely already know, I'm obsessed with the Dog Whisperer and learning everything I can about dog behavior and how to handle it. If you knew me when I was young, you would know I loved dogs.  i.e. My mom face painted me to look like a Dalmation and I would run around the house on my hands and knees, pant like a dog, bark like a dog, act like a dog.  I have been a long time dog sitter. I have fostered dogs. Adopted dogs. I just love dogs! So what on earth could be a better job for me and my life right now than to become a CERTIFIED dog trainer? Nothing I could think of!

I got the idea on whim, and started searching how to become a certified personal dog trainer. I came across the Animal Behavior College and looked into it. Problem was most dog trainer school cost thousands of dollars. Having to already pay off my student loan, spending even MORE money on school didn't sound appetizing. Then as I read through their program I noticed a hi-lighted blurb saying that Military Spouses can get tuition for free! To good to be true? I had to find out. So I put in to request more info.  The next day a admissions counselor called me to talk about it. She told me about the program and then asked me some questions to see if I was eligible for MyCAA funds.  Luckily I am, having and active duty spouse who just happens to be an E-5, which is the highest rank he can be for me to receive the funds. Sweetness. I don't have to pay a dime for tuition, and just $75 for the application fee.

Classes are self paced, which is nice, and I get paired up with a local trainer for hands on learning.  The best part is that once I am done with the program I can make between $80-$150 and hour. Not bad! I can also make my own hours, and being a SAHM that REALLY helps out!

I'm so pumped! I needed something to put my mind to. What better way than to get a job doing a hobby I already love. The other awesome part (and the reason that the military pays for it) is that it's considered a portable career, and I know I can do it wherever the military moves us. I suggest that you look into something similar if you are a military spouse. MyCAA pays up to $4000 for Licenses, Certification and Asssociates Degrees. They have a decent list of job options to, well beyond just animal services.

Woof. Woof.

I Hope I Don't Become an Animal Hoarder...

Because then I would end up on Animal Planet on one of these TV shows with poop stained concrete and broken windows. On the bright side I'll have 30 dogs. Hah! Seriously though, I'm sitting here watching this show and almost everyone has had a tragic loss in their life.  It made me think about how losing Jeremiah and all made me just want more dogs. Like a doggie addiction.  Then again, I've wanted more dogs my whole life.

I'd feel satisfied with another Rhodesian down the road, but much much more down that road. For one, my plate is pretty fully. For another, I would like to make sure puppies don't eat my furniture while I'm upstairs changing poopy diapers. And probably more importantly my husband would not appreciate it very much.  Ideally for me, 5 dogs would be the perfect number. Maybe 4. Definitely not 30.  O.K. Phew, I don't think I'll be one after all. Maybe 30 would be cool............

;)