Even Diva dogs can get the blues......

For the first time in her 12 year lifespan, Lacy is officially sick. She's been out of sorts before but always bounced back in a 24 hour period. No vet needed, no meds...just her usual puppy-like self. This time, I'm sad to say, she's showing her age (hmmmmm.......so am I lately......I wonder, is it contagious?) Vet says its a pancreatic infection and so she's been on antibiotics for a week now. No problem giving them to her since Jeff discovered that if you cut the pill in quarters and bury them in chunky peanut butter, she thinks its quite a treat and laps it up.
And here I am, boiling chicken and rice and feeding her this bland diet in small portions three times a day. No appetite problem here either, which I take to be a good sign. After a week and follow up tests, she pulled through and it seemed the infection was gone. However, she's still lethargic, stays right by my side (even on my trips to the john) and is just not the same. Her gait is no longer bouncy, her head and shoulders slump downward and although her ears and eyes were checked, she doesn't respond immediately when I call out her name.. She's just not herself and has slowed down considerably. She won't take the meds in the peanut butter anymore and, on the vet's advice, I weaned her back onto her dry food which she won't eat. So it's back to boiled chicken and rice I think. I'm more diligent about her exercise routine in the hopes that she'll snap out of it and I've taken to bringing her with me where ever I go. This is the part of loving a pet that is scary.
Though obviously distracted, I've been working diligently on the business plan and am struggling with financial portion. Not exactly sure how I'm supposed to predict sales when I haven't sold anything yet but..........
My China resources have been great in that once I've explained my new strategy with Lollypups (merchandising several items around the color/ pattern stories of the sweaters) they are full of suggestions as to what I can and can't do. I realize now that although frustrated with the amount of time it takes to establish a business, that time is also spent solidifying business relationships as well and I feel more comfortable with the vendors I've been working with as time goes by.
I wanted to attend the HH Backer trade show in Chicago but unless I'm ready to show, their rules for non-exhibitors are very restrictive and expensive. I still hope to launch the website by September and take advantage of this holiday season then be ready for the Spring circuit and introduce lighter weight garments and accessories.......so , onward we trod (and still loving this).

All is complete and now...............ON WITH THE SHOW

Weddings are over, mood is soggy but content. The marriage of a first born in any family conjures up emotions that are both sweet and painfully sad and losing an important family member one month prior who should have been present to enjoy all this only proves to me once more, that there is no god only circumstance. The simple task of designing a sweater for a little dog to wear and keep warm seemed to pale in comparison to the roller coaster ride we've all been on these past few months. All planning is done, wedding dress successfully constructed and beautifully worn, wedding cake consumed and champagne toasted. And a memorable time was had by all. In the end, with the disappointments came joy........with the bad and insulting behavior of some, came consideration, helpfulness and a sense of camaraderie of others.....The true meaning of family was displayed at both events and I'm grateful to my own little clan, for giving me the truest sense of belonging.
But back to the task at hand........Lollypups Pet Wear.
The focus is no longer my personal life but back to development, business plans and designing and merchandising the line. We're at the 3rd phase of counter samples for Misty and Lucky and I've found a good supplier for other items as well, that will coordinate and merchandise back to these two styles. I need to give the go ahead for the Tigger style and correct the glitches in the Sugarplum style, then send the proto out to be made. I contacted a company in Peru (my gut feeling that these sweaters should be in pure wool is still nagging at me) but no response. The words Small start-up company seem to slam a lot of doors........too bad.
I'm not going to China in July this time around since the trade show is not really pet oriented but that's just as well. I need to research more and have more to show and I must GET AN AGENT.........only proving my humble inability to do EVERYTHING which is a rude awakening on my part since I've always done everything in the past. Damn..........talk about being driven......I have to learn how to delegate and let go.........This is a challenge, truly (and to have the funds to PAY for someones help is a close second). I don't want to.......but I must........or this will take me forever to launch. Prime focus is on creating a solid business plan or as solid as one can be in this quagmire of economic uncertainty. Therapy session over.........All is good.