I’m not so sure I’d work for free. Certainly not if it meant someone else were to profit by it. If I did, in a weak moment, offer my services free of charge, it would definitely have to be for something I enjoyed doing;
And therein lies another wee issue – where does an enjoyable hobby end, and ‘work’ begin? For instance, in addition to this blog, I run another two: Once Upon a Time in The ’70s and Loud Horizon. I put a lot of work into these three blogs. I do it free of charge. It may sometimes feel like an onerous commitment, but it’s not a ‘job,’ is it?
Mind, I ran my own Petcare and Dog Walking business for eighteen years. I loved that job. I was outdoors all day, walking in the beautiful Scottish countryside. And despite the frequent inclement weather mixing with all my wee animal pals, both domesticated and wild, far outweighed the physical misery!
I kept my prices deliberately low (my hourly rate only increased by 50p over the whole eighteen year period) because I wanted a reputation for excellent service and not taking advantage of my clients. And I was reminded just the other week that I did do some of my job ‘for free.’
If I was looking after cats or other pets in the owner’s home while they were away on holiday, I’d make sure the rooms the animals frequented were hoovered and tidied before the clients returned. I’d often take ailing animals to the vet for elderly clients and make no charge; I would often also make checks on an animal’s wellbeing if their elderly owner was struggling with their health.
I did this not so much for the benefit of the owner, but more to ensure the dog / cat was not neglected, even temporarily.
So, yeah, I suppose I have done some work for free.
But it’s not something I plan making a habit of.
UNLESS ….
😉
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Cee Tee Jackson 
Aw…what a good answer…I’m afraid I was very cynical and had a good ol’ dig at Capitalists.Still I’d like to make money too.Funny I dog walk for the Cinammon Trust as a volunteer.I’ve got a lovely lady now who I go to on Saturday and Sunday afternoons,I bring my dog and my husband and Milo(5 year old Yorkshire Terrier) loves it.And yes it’s lovely as Tedi has a wee companion
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Ha ha! So I see. 😀 😀
I’m with you, in the main. It’s not all about the money, is it? Pleasure from being a ‘good human being’ is better than cash in my book. 🙂
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Oh bother ,cut myself off in mid-flow.Still all that is great until the Charity I volunteer for suggested I make a £25 voluntary f donation and you know where they can go with that.My previous dog was a really bad experience it was kept in a cage and was left for 2 or 3 days with just food and water.I raised it with the Charity but there was nothing they could do.Eventually the owner was reported to the RSPCA who I do think monitor the situation now,but no I won’t pay the Cinammon Trust for volunteering.Yes it can be fun. but sometimes it’s not.Thank you for listening.And I loved your positivity when it comes to animals in your blogs.
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Wow! That’s pushing it, isn’t it? Cheeky so-and-sos!
Poor dogs for sure, but to ask people already volunteering to put their hands in their pockets is taking the dog biscuit.
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I have worked for free – but all in a good cause and it has to be something I enjoy 😊 You can come and look after my pets while I’m away if you’re going to hoover as well 😂
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😀 😀 😀
(I draw the line at ironing, mind. 😉 )
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😂
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You’re a good egg.
👍
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You know, that’s almost exactly the phrase I thought to myself when I read my post back.
And yeah – I am a ‘jolly good egg,’ aren’t I? 😉 😀
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I always kept my prices for DJing parties low. I would do school dances for next to nothing. If I didn’t have to lug the equipment around, do set up and tear down, I would have done those for free.
Unlike a wedding, it is rare that the dance floor is not packed. As long as you’re playing the hits, they are dancing. Watching those kids dance was worth it.
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Exacrly, Keith.
I grew up in the days of strict, amateur athletics. Wed train all week to race at the weekend, not for cash pots, but if we were lucky, cooking pots! 😂
We would forfeit our amateur status and be barred from National League matches and other events if we accepted anything that had an ‘ exchangeable ‘ monetary value. We couldn’t even win book tokens or record tokens. So I’ve still got an attic full (slight exaggeration 😉) of butter dishes, cutlery, crap, framed pictures and the like. 😂
But it wasn’t about the money was it? Like you say, it was the fun and enjoyment of being with others doing likewise.
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It clearly seems that you did the work not for monetary value but out of your love and passion for pets. I could understand a completely new perspective about taking care of pets in various situations. Truly proud of you Colin. 👍✨🩷
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Thank you Usha. I appreciate that. Yeah, when you work with animals you truly understand how much they rely on our relationship. 😃🐈⬛🐕
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