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Nina In New York: Anyone Need A Dog Walker?

A young professional's take on the trials and tribulations of everyday life in New York City.
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The other day I was feeling under the weather and decided to take a sick day. I was feeling logy and foggy and stuffy-headed, so it didn't occur to me to call the dog walker, Betty, to tell her she could skip Gus's walks since I'd be home.

See Also: A Guide To NYC Dog Ownership

I was lying on the couch answering work emails and trying to orchestrate all sorts of things by proxy in my absence when Betty opened the door with her key. She looked fresh-faced and happy, relaxed and flush from the sun. Like someone who had nothing to worry about throughout the day aside from walking dogs, getting natural exercise, enjoying the day and making a surprising amount of money, much of which could very easily be under the table.

All of a sudden, I felt I had to restrain myself from impulsively quitting my job and trying to break into the dog walking game.

Of course, I didn't, and I wouldn't.

I care about my career and I have no idea what other stressors Betty faces in her life. But gosh, it does look good from here. Those dog walkers really have it made. Their clients are generally sweet and entirely nonverbal, the best ones only walk a couple of dogs at a time, and there will never be a shortage of 9-5ers who can't take care of their dogs' daytime needs around here. Often, mine just brings Gus to the dog run so he can get more exercise, which means she doesn't even have to walk much if she doesn't want to. She's a pro-walker! None of them work a very wide radius, so it's not like they even have to contend with schlepping around the city. Plus, they have almost no overhead outside of durable footwear and sunblock. The only downside and the great irony is that most of them are too busy to take care of their own dogs. That and they pick up a whole lot of poop. But really, small prices to pay. What a life!

Better than the Upper East Side nannies, better than the professional closet organizers or pregnancy consultants or personal shoppers or wedding planners or life coaches or any other highly-paid, highly-specialized independent contractor work that could only ever exist in this city, dog walkers are the unsung geniuses of the New York job market.

The more I think about it, the more convinced (and jealous) I become. Dog walkers everywhere, I tip my proverbial hat to you. Well played, guys.

Dear Readers: While I am rarely at a loss for words, I'm always grateful for column ideas. Please feel free to e-mail me your suggestions.

Nina Pajak is a writer and publishing professional living with her husband on the Upper West Side.

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