Last summer, I was bored and spent most mornings on the sofa. One day, my neighbor Mrs. Levi knocked on our door. She had hurt her leg, and she could not take her dog, Biscuit, for walks. “Could you help me, Dana?” she asked. I said yes, and that small favor changed my whole summer.
Biscuit was a big, friendly dog with endless energy. On our first walk, he pulled me across the park, and I almost fell into a puddle. By the end of the week, however, we understood each other. He learned to walk next to me, and I learned to hold the leash firmly.
Soon, other neighbors noticed us. A young couple on the second floor asked me to walk their puppy while they were at work. Before long, I had five dogs and a real business. I made a simple schedule on my phone and printed small cards with my name and number.
Of course, it was not always easy. Some days it was very hot, and I had to walk the dogs early in the morning, before seven o'clock. Once, two of the dogs started fighting, and I had to separate them carefully. I decided to walk them at different times after that.
By September, I had saved enough money to buy a new bicycle. But the money was not the best part. I discovered that I am responsible, and that people trust me.