Catherine in a snapshot – pics of her and things she loves! Cue BSB “Shape of My Heart”
As a newer member of the Loyal Dog Club team, I’m not even sure I am qualified to write this post, but I am going to give it a real try because Catherine deserves it. I met Catherine in the thick of the pandemic, via Zoom, while furloughed from a job I had no actual intention of leaving. But, within minutes of talking to her and getting to know more about Loyal Dog Club, I knew that I had found something incredibly special here with her and I realized quickly that my life was about to take a furry turn for the better, thanks to her. My first official day was on June 1st, and here are some things I have learned about or seen from Catherine in just the last six months…
🐾 She actually loves what she does. Catherine REALLY loves dogs and all other animals and she truly cares about our clients. I never feel bad about texting her a cute pic of a new pup we are onboarding, or a special pic from one of our old faves (don’t worry, you’re all our faves!), because she is always down to participate in a good coo-session and marvel at the wonder of an adorable canine. After almost seven years in this ‘business,’ she has not lost her excitement and joy over interacting with pets and seeing them have a good time with the staff. It’s a genuine thrill for her to be able to care for these dogs and watch them grow up and become part of your fams.
🐾 She gets things done. This year, we were all forced to face challenges we never could have imagined, but Catherine was persistent in her desire to push through and forward. She did not let the pandemic deter her from making decisions that took extra effort, but were ultimately right for our clients (and therefore, our company as a whole). She continued to come up with new ways for LDC to bring in revenue (hats available in the shop!) and create fun opportunities for your pups to have a great time and get out of the house (did you see Dog Day Out!?). I know, I’m a little shameless with the links – but they’re cute and both Catherine’s ideas!
🐾 She is transparent and has integrity. Joining LDC in June meant that we were re-opening after the first big COVID-19 lockdown, so there were a lot of loose ends and intense conversations being had about safety and protocols and what the future would look like. We are in uncharted territory, and Catherine has been forthcoming with clients and staff about where we stand, how we are coping, and what we are doing to ensure safety and make it through to the other side of this journey. She has rallied us for staff meetings monthly via Zoom so we can all stay connected and she can talk to us about hours/availability and answer questions, even if there wasn’t always an easy answer. She’s made herself visible on social media so clients and followers know that she’s still here, still accessible, still invested – and that she has no plan of letting Loyal Dog Club go anywhere.
🐾 She is hilarious and she loves her family. Catherine’s favorite job outside of LDC is being a mama to an adorable human toddler who keeps her occupied and entertained. He’s also really great at texting me back on her behalf (direct quote: osfueoar433reeee) which she must later translate into adult English, a language that is a lot less fun. Some of her favorite highlights of the year, if I had to guess, are probably the new T-Swift albums (obvi) and her sister getting married. It’s strange to say that I have gotten to know her so well while only having spent so much time with her in person, but whether we are talking about Eminem or she’s making references to the Bachelor I don’t really get, her personality comes through and has made working with her such an enjoyable experience. Speaking of, last but not least…
🐾 She respects the staff. Catherine would never expect an employee to do something she wouldn’t do, and she proves it (why yes, that is her scooping poop w/Roxie making an appearance). She started this business as a dog walker herself because she loved to do it – and she wants the staff to feel as if they have the room to love their jobs, too. She has allowed flexibility with schedules even when we became short staffed, has accommodated employees when they were sick, had family issues, or lost loved ones, and has offered up a gas stipend and bonuses to help offset some of the radical changes the year has brought on. She makes sure she is conscious of what is important to the people she works with and encourages them to take the opportunity to have a work/life balance that is best for them. Trust me when I say, this is rarer than you think.
Or, don’t trust me…take some of the other LDC staff’s word for it, instead! Here are a few quotes from members of the staff about Catherine and working at Loyal Dog Club…
-
- From Galina
-
- From Emily
-
- From Carrie Ann
-
- From Leah
-
- From Lindsey B.
-
- From Joel & Katy
With how wild and crazy this year has been, I am so grateful that I stumbled upon the Loyal Dog Club and have had the opportunity to work for Catherine and get to know all of the amazing clients and staff members in her orbit. ✨💫 I know that nothing can stop her, and I am really looking forward to 2021 and what she can accomplish – and what that will mean for Loyal Dog Club, of course! Thank you, Catherine, for helping keep smiles on our faces and fur in our arms in the ickiest of times! I recruited some pals (lol, not really) to say hey and Happy New Year – I hope you enjoy!
🐾
Check out Ashley & Jared from The Bachelor in Paradise saying Happy New Year to Catherine & LDC!