Background

Professionally Speaking:

Past:

As a kid, I wanted to be a veterinary doctor. I often assisted my Aunt Gail at her kennels delivering puppies, docking tails and giving vaccinations. I also cleaned the kennels, took the dogs on walks, taught them simple obedience commands and provided basic grooming care.

As a teen, I continued assisting my aunt with her kennels, by that time she also had horses, cats and chickens too… all of which I learned how to properly care for. During that time, I also worked at an animal hospital first as a kennel helper, then as a groomer and finally as a veterinary assistant; I aided the vets with many things: from basic pet care, to simple procedures such as x-rays, to more complex things like neutering and spaying surgeries… unfortunately, that also included euthanizations… and that is where my story takes a detour… I knew my love for animals would never falter but the emotional turmoil I received from watching animals take their final breaths, grew to be too much; so, I stopped working at the animal hospital.

As a young adult, I decided to pursue my “Plan B” profession; which was my second love… children… if truth be told, kids and pets are so very similar anyway… I started working on a teaching degree, got engaged, moved from Florida to Maryland, got married, started working as a teacher’s aide then moved on to substitute teaching, had my daughter, finished my Associate of Arts degree in Teaching: Early Childhood Education, had my son, moved to Utah then on to Virginia, where I put furthering my education on hold and started working as an Assistant Director for a local gym’s childcare center until I was approached by a few families who offered me a job as their personal nanny. I continued working as a nanny until both of my kids were in elementary school. At that time, I decided to go into the corporate world. During those years, I also assisted friends and family with their pet care, childcare and housekeeping needs.

Present:

Feeling overly stressed in 2017, I took a look at my life and what truly makes me happy. I realized, it has always been animals (and children). Animals provide a calm to my environment. I get great joy from being around them and I feel at peace in their presence. They make me laugh and keep me active. They provide comfort when I am down and keep me sane in this insane world… So, I decided instead of just helping out a few people occasionally, I would start my own pet service company and assist more people regularly. And this is how Your Best Friend’s Girl was formed. First in VA then in IL and now in SC.

Personally Speaking:

From my earliest childhood memories, animals have always played a critical role in my life, some taking center stage while others only making cameos. I have had many pets of my own and they each have left a unique imprint on my heart… I cherish all of their stories.

Some of the main characters in my story have been:

E.T., an American Short-haired black cat, my first fur-friend.

Shotzie, a Rottweiler, who spent her days “singing” with me.

Scruffy, a West Highland White Terrier, who got me through some tough times during my adolescence.
Touchdown, a Chocolate Point Siamese, who loved playing fetch with crumpled up paper. He was my longest furpanion (18 years).

Goldie, a 100 lb. Golden Retriever, she was afraid of storms and would seek shelter in the bathtub.

Panhead, a Black Lab, he was fiercely loyal to me (he loved Goldie but hated Scruffy).

Shorty, a Boston Terrier, and my first furbaby as an adult. He was so cute, even when he would pout and whine when he didn’t get his way.

I currently have 3 furbabies:

Ameena, an English Setter

Luna, a Nebelung

Mrs. Lovett, a Calico

With a special mention of our most recent cat, Zelda; a Nebelung-mix, who was an awesome furpanion... she is now living happily sans other pets. I miss her dearly but glad she is happy in her new home with our dear friends.