Is pet assisting right for you?
If you’re considering a career in the exciting, fast-paced world of celebrity pet assisting, let me tell ya — it’s not all glitz and glam.
Sure, there are advantages, like travel. One week it’s Paris to “get the gravy situation in order.” Next week it’s Napa Valley for fresh organic catnip.
But for all its perks, you do have to sacrifice a lot…
First, you can kiss your weekends goodbye, because celebrity pet employers basically own your @ss. And yes, I speak from experience.
Today was supposed to be my first Sunday off in weeks, and I had plans to go for a hike before catching a late movie with El Hub.
As often happens, I had my hand on the doorknob when I received a text from Tabs. In it, he said it was “of the utmost importance” that I organize his vast collection of accessories by color and ribbon width, and it absolutely, positively had to be done by tonight.
Big surprise.
He also insisted that I take some pics of him to give to his stylist, who then, after checking with our focus group, would color coordinate his outfits for the upcoming awards season.
So I’ve basically spent my entire afternoon with a diva kitty supermodel wrapped in a rainbow of ribbons.
Le sigh!
Here’s a look behind the scenes at some of the outtakes…
Even though I sometimes feel like a short, Filipino version of Anne Hathaway’s character in The Devil Wears Prada, I still love the job.
Maybe I’ve had to put my personal life on hold, but when I think of all of the Petcos I’ve been able to visit, all of the cans of Fancy Feast (in gravy) I’ve had to open and all of the litter boxes I’ve had to clean, it all seems so worth it. 🙂
In all seriousness, celebrity pet assisting can be a tremendously rewarding industry, but you do have to be ready to put in the work.
Thinking about becoming a celebrity pet assistant? Here are some questions to ask yourself first…
- Are you comfortable being on-call 24/7?
- Are you a go-getter and willing to do whatever it takes to please your celebrity pet, no matter how ridiculous the task?
- Do you have good problem solving skills? For instance, if instructed to locate sliced turkey and/or gravy in a foreign country at midnight, could you?
- Are you a good negotiator capable of diffusing potentially volatile conflicts between celebrity pet rivals?
If you answered “yes” to all of the above, a career in celebrity pet assisting might be a good fit for you.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. OMG! New eps of Downton Abbey and The Walking Dead on the same night!? I don’t know what to do with myself. 🙂
P.P.S. Care to skim through one of the largest kitty modeling portfolios west of the Sierra Nevadas? If you’d like to see more, you can also check out the archives here.
Heidi says
In my experience, the career of pet assistant is not something you choose, it chooses you. Missy’s favorite color is orange, so she’s partial to that particular ribbon, as I’m sure Tabs is anxious to learn.
I’m currently watching the Grammys so Downton Abbey will have to wait. I am anxious to see it, though.
Nichole Clark says
He is so dang cute! My Sully and Tabs look so similar that I swear they must be long lost twins, the only difference being that Sully would have yanked the ribbon off, tried to eat it, then would have barfed it up on my area rug.
p.s. I LOVE Downton Abbey!
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
“…a short, Filipino version of Anne Hathaway’s character in The Devil Wears Prada?” You cracked me up lol
Tabs is so comfortable with ribbons it’s amazing! Out of the 3 cats I’ve had the pleasure to slave over for in my life, Muffin is the only one who doesn’t fight with what I put on her neck till the bitter end. Lo and behold: http://twitpic.com/8dap9p
I think Muffin can take a lesson or two about kitty modeling from Tabs, under the condition that she doesn’t come home with a big attitude lol
Kajal Couture says
haha. you always make me laugh.
I am not ready for any type of pet assisting, I think I have enough to do with just having a husband!
Anamika says
lolz Kajal ..yur comment made me laugh :))
Nina says
Tabx x Ribbons = i swoon! <3
Gala says
Love reading about your trials and tribulations with Tabs every Sunday 🙂
Marian says
IAPPA !!!!!! lol : )
Minnegirl says
Both of you lucked out! You are both awesome!