Let’s Roll!
After a rough year, the time has finally come to live my dream
It was late April last year. We were already under the COVID-19 lockdown, and I was working from home. The rumors at work were swirling AGAIN. More reorganization, more restructuring and more layoffs. AGAIN. And the rumor was that today was the day. This had happened every year since I could remember. Seeing so many good friends say goodbye, and wondering if this time it would be me. I was mentally exhausted, not just from COVID-19, but because me and my work friends were going to go through this AGAIN. I was pretty sure I would be let go this time. I mean, how did I survive all these years? Slowly but surely, work had laid my whole department off. And when I say the whole department, I mean the WHOLE department. Luckily, a few of my friends were transferred to other departments, so I didn’t have to say goodbye just yet. But I also knew I wouldn’t be working closely with them anymore. They could also be laid off at any point, and that was hard. Real hard.
It’s funny, I remember that day so vividly, it’s as if it was yesterday. I was up early that morning. I was sitting on the sofa, drinking coffee and looking over at my dog Ricky, who was sleeping by my side. It was quiet and I said to myself “I don’t know if I can do this again,” “I’m so tired,” “What do I do if I’m not let go?,” and “Please God, universe and anyone who’s listening, show me the way and let whatever happen, happen. Even if it’s horrible and awful, something has got to give.” Work had changed so drastically that last year. My boss, who I really admired and respected, was let go and I was with a new team now. One of my best friends at work was now working for a new department, one I didn’t interact with too much. And all the years of change, anxiety, goodbyes and tears had finally paid its toll. I was tired and I didn’t know how to fix it. So maybe I wanted the call. Maybe it was finally time to say goodbye once and for all.
Ricky & me. Photo credit: Naomi Parton
So here it was, 10am, and I was sitting at my work computer, waiting for the call. Nothing. It was really quiet: no emails, no IMs, no calls. Sadly, I think everyone I worked with was waiting for the call too. Then I got a text from my friend that some of my co-workers were let go. Damn! Not again. An hour passed and I Iooked down at my phone. Nothing. So I got up, and as I walked to my kitchen, the phone rang. I ran over to see who was it. Yep, it was the call.
It was quick and I now knew my fate. What would I do? Where would I go? How would I move forward? Then… DING! I love dogs. I mean I really love dogs. I love my dog Ricky, I volunteer at Nashville Humane Association and I love spending time with the dogs of my family and friends. You see, I had this idea of starting a dog blog years ago. I talked about it with friends: how I would go out into the dog community and talk to shelters, vets, trainers, shop owners and more. And how I would write about it and promote it on social media. I would even try to raise money for shelters at some point and bring awareness about rescues and puppy mills. I would try to make a difference for dogs everywhere. This might be my fate. This might be my mission. This might be my calling. So here I was, just laid off and clinging to my phone in my hand after the call. I knew in my heart it was time to say goodbye and finally live my dream.
Photo credit: Naomi Parton
I won’t lie, it’s been a rough year. With getting laid off, COVID-19, lockdowns and still dealing with so many feeling after my Dad’s passing in 2017, 2020 was terrible. I ate. I cried. I didn’t leave the house. I got into arguments with almost everyone. But luckily, during this time, I was able to pick myself up and build a website, create social accounts and reach out to great friends for advice and assets for my new venture (and to those great friends: you know who you are and I hope you know how much I appreciate and love you!). What would I call this blog? So many names were already taken and there seemed to be no domains left. I Heart Dogs? Already taken. Dogster? Yep, that’s taken too. Doggie Woggie? Ok, that’s just silly. Fido Insido? Hmmm, it kinda works. I like it, and more importantly, the domain in not taken. Fido Insido it is!
So here I am, a year later. Everything is built and ready to go. I’ve reached out to a bunch of dog shops, trainers, experts, etc here in Nashville. Everyone has been so great and there are lots of stories to tell. I really love the dog community here in Nashville, and I plan to reach out to other cities too, exploring their dog communities. Am I scared? Hell yeah. Nervous? You bet. But I’m also excited and ready to get this ball rolling. It’s time and I hope you join me on my journey as I give dog lovers everywhere an insido look into everything fido.
Photo credit: Naomi Parton