My Gig as a Dog Walker: Thanks for the Memories and Everything Else!
Steph and our other human teammate, Vaughn, taught me so much about dogs and how to care for them. photo: Michele Horn Davis
A few years before the pandemic, I was looking for work that would let me bring my dog to the office or to work remotely from home to supplement my income. I chanced upon an opening with a local dog walking company called Recess with Steph, owned by a woman named Stephanie Miller.
Steph and I met, and it was an instant connection. She hired me almost on the spot and we started training right after that. At the time, Steph and a few other local dog walkers were renting fenced in lots in Pacifica to use for off leash dog excursions. They called the area “The Ranch.”
The first time I went out to The Ranch, I felt at home. It was a peaceful drive to our spot and I would talk or sing to my dog clients on the way. The area was in a little enclave tucked into the hills among residences and a couple of actual farms.
Our lot was a former flower farm and we had beautiful blooms in the spring. There were hawks, other hunting birds, and many deer. My time there was always restorative and lovely, and I don’t think I ever had a bad day at work. The very few times I had an issue with a dog, I could count on Steph to provide an answer that was positive for me and the pup in question.
The pack of dogs I had most days ranged from six to nine, mostly littles. I am still amazed that I could get all those dogs - in crates! - into my 2001 RAV4. My regulars were Bam Bam, Mason, brothers Skipper and Thurber, Leo, Edie, Huckleberry, Allie, and of course, my own dog, Bear. They all had such different personalities, and I loved getting to know them all.
Steph and our other human teammate, Vaughn, taught me so much about dogs and how to care for them. Over time, we became more than just work colleagues. We became dear friends.
Just before the pandemic hit, Steph had made the decision to close her dog walking business and purchase Bernal Beast, a wonderful pet supply store in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood. Recess with Steph officially closed in early 2020, and my last trip out to The Ranch was on March 31 of that year when the pandemic was already in full swing in the Bay Area.
I’ve stayed in touch with Steph since then and occasionally bring Bear in to see her at Bernal Beast. She has such a tender way with all dogs, and my Bear adores her. I’ve referred many new dog parents to the various activities at her shop, and several of my pals bring their dogs to her puppy socials and love them.
While I don’t have as much of a connection to the dog world as I used to, I do still occasionally board or foster dogs, and I’ve continued to consult with Steph on the behavior, diet, and overall health of the dogs in my care. She is an excellent resource and a beautiful friend.
Amid the day-to-day demands on our time, too often we forget to tell the people we care about how grateful we are for them. So this is for you, Steph: a public thank you note for all you’ve brought to my life and to the lives of so many dogs and dog owners throughout our city.
Better late than never.