My love of animals began as early as it gets. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t begging my parents for a dog. (So that’s early!) Finally when I was eight years old, we got our first family pet, a beautiful Golden Retriever named Ginger. She was amazing. And like the Obamas, my parents insisted that my sister and I walk her and pick up after her! I loved being around Ginger so much that I even dreamed about being a zookeeper (remember, I was eight). Later I wanted to become a vet. But I discovered my academic interests (and talents) were in the arts and humanities rather than science.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, I moved back to my hometown, Chicago, and started a career in finance. Our family’s second Golden Retriever, Lola, came to live with me for a few years. Since I was away at the office about 10 hours/day, I enrolled Lola in a doggy daycare program but ultimately switched to a dog walking service instead. I often wondered: was Lola getting enough exercise and personal attention? Two years ago I added a lovable King Charles Cavalier, Mia, to my life.
Five years in the financial world were enough for me to know: something was missing in my life. I came full circle. I realized that being around dogs, playing, loving, caring for dogs was at the core of my life. I knew what I needed and wanted in a dog walking/pet sitting service.
So I made a life decision. I would provide the most caring, loving, professional dog walking and sitting services for dogs and their dog loving owners.
So Windy City Paws was born!