MaryB and the City

Passionately imperfect.

When I’m not writing about shopping for a husband, I’m probably thinking about dogs.

My full-time job is for a pet products company ~ our brands are super popular in the dog community, from toys to training tools. Every single day when I go to the office, and every single day when I leave [and may or may not make it to the gym]…I’m genuinely happy. How can you not be when they’re randomly dispersed throughout the cubicles, smiling and sniffing as you mindlessly walk to the printer or potty?

It has always been my personal belief to have a job doing what you truly love. I would never take a position at some random business just for the sake of getting a paycheck. Life is entirely too short & can be quite stressful to spend the majority of our waking hours *not* investing time and energy actually enjoying the tasks at hand.

Before now, my employers have in someway, shape or form encompassed non-profits, causes, or benefited people in a meaningful way…via marketing. That is my passion and calling in life. And, before today, I basically thought canines were super duper cute, and bring smiles to pretty much everyone who crosses their paw path…which in its own right, is a beautiful accomplishment ~ strengthening the human-animal bond.

These last two days have been spent in the company of pet bloggers at a conference. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when registering. Initially there were a few moments when I felt like a total outsider, for 2 specific reasons: I actually styled my outfits and have a matching, coordinated ensemble, and, I don’t own a pet.

When I caught myself quietly sizing up the lack of polished presentations and frankly, looking a bit scruffy (pun unintended), I mentally slapped myself. We’re not at freaking NYC fashion week MaryB, get a grip. Most of these people pour their heart & soul into their blogs and pets, they certainly don’t have the time or concern for a killer closet.

As far as being sans furry friend, this has been an ongoing struggle since I accepted the position. For reasons too long to explain here, my living situation does not currently allow it. So instead, I live vicariously through my colleagues & friends’ 4-legged children. I have embraced and found my Super Aunt niche.

I digress ~ so in addition to feeling uninspired by the afterthought outfits, on a few occassions, I also subconsciously caught myself slightly judging their, let’s call it, passion for pets. And by passion, I mean borderline crazy/infatuation/obsession.

Then after back-to-back keynote speakers, I was kicked on my generously sized ass. There are thousands of shelters that still kill unadopted animals on the regular. There are thousands of dogs who serve as “canine companions” for disabled people and literally change their daily quality of life on a large and small scale. The countless stories of how compassionate animals are, how they only want to serve and please *us*, and how much inexplicable joy they’ve given millions of lives, brought me to tears.

Moving forward, my 9-5 job will be seen through an entirely different lense. These creatures aren’t just warm and fuzzy, cute-to-look-at objects. They actually serve a purpose, a much larger purpose than most of us realize.

You see, animals don’t judge us. No other life form on the planet knows negativity, only humans. Watch any plant or animal and let it teach you acceptance. Let it teach you integrity — which means to be yourself, to be real.

Author Eckhart Tolle said, “I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them cats. Even ducks have taught me important spiritual lessons. Just watching them is a meditation. How peacefully they float along, at ease with themselves, totally present in the Now, dignified and perfect as only a mindless creature can be.”

God gave us these best friends to make our walk on earth just a little bit nicer…and I can’t wait to call one my own.