Pet Shop Blues

Thanks to chronic illness, I’ve had to hang up my hat at the pet shop and switch to a company that allows me to work-from-home. On the one hand, this means I’ll have more time and energy left over for writing and other creative work. But on the other hand, I’ll have far less access to comedic gems such as:
And there will be significantly less fluffiness like this in my life:

Most of all, I’ll miss my fantastic coworkers. Working with them was such a sharp contrast to the lonely isolation I experienced in my nine years as a teacher. When I left teaching to move to the other side of the continent — and the border — my departure was met with a ‘meh’ response. When I left the pet shop, I got hugs and food and tears even though I live two blocks down the road. Somehow, this kooky assortment of humans has become part of my family over the past few months. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, I still have a dragon.

