Pet Boarder Finds Love and Loyalty in Every Wagging Tail
A Passion for Pets Shaped by a Lifetime of Furry Friendships
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s rare to find a lonely or anxious dog in Josephine Low’s care. The 67-year-old mother of one has a special connection with her “furkids” and simply can’t bear to leave them alone at night. Her solution? She stays by their side – at all times of the day.
A Home Away from Home
Low doesn’t sleep in her room. She sleeps in the hall with them, on the sofa. “If I go upstairs to my room, the dogs get scared, and I just can’t do that to them. Most of the time, I’m in the hall watching TV while doing my other work. They always hear sounds and know I’m around. It helps them feel less jittery and anxious.”
A Meet-and-Greet Before Boarding
Before taking in a new furry friend, Low has a meet-and-greet with the dog. “The dog gets to run freely around my house to see if they’re happy here. If the dog is happy with me, and I’m happy with them, then it’s a yes. But either of us can say no, too.”
Going the Extra Mile
Low also goes the extra mile to ease the separation anxiety some dogs experience. “If a dog is especially attached to their owner, I’ll ask for a piece of their clothing. Dogs rely on scent, so having something familiar, like a shirt, helps them feel more at home.”
A Lifetime of Furry Friendships
Low’s love for dogs runs deep, shaped by a lifetime of furry friendships. “All my life, I’ve had dogs,” she shared. “It started with my dad, another dog lover, who brought home a dog when I was young. My parents were always busy with work, so I spent most of my time with the dog.”
A Solution to Pet-Sitting
When her niece adopted a puppy but couldn’t keep it, Low stepped in. “That dog came back to me, and over time, we ended up with more dogs because we didn’t spay him. It’s been a constant ever since – dogs have always been part of my life.”
A Passion for Pet Boarding
Even after her last personal dog, an abused schnauzer she rescued, passed away, Low couldn’t imagine life without canine companionship. “My husband and I argued about getting another dog. He worried about the long-term commitment, especially when it came to travel,” she explained. “That’s when my daughter suggested pet boarding. She said, ‘Why not have dogs around without the full-time responsibility? You can decide when you want to take them in.’ It was the perfect solution!”
Conclusion
For Low, pet boarding is more than just a job – it’s a way of life. “Dogs are incredibly loyal. They sense when you’re upset and somehow make it all better,” she said. “At 67, life has its ups and downs, but these dogs uplift me. They make my life more fulfilling. They nudge me, cuddle up, and I won’t feel upset anymore. I cannot not have that.”
FAQs
Q: How does Josephine Low ensure the comfort and happiness of the dogs in her care?
A: Low ensures the comfort and happiness of the dogs by providing a meet-and-greet before boarding, asking for familiar items such as clothing, and going the extra mile to ease separation anxiety.
Q: What inspired Josephine Low to start pet boarding?
A: Low was inspired to start pet boarding after her niece adopted a puppy but couldn’t keep it, and she took it in, eventually ending up with more dogs.
Q: What does Josephine Low love most about her job as a pet boarder?
A: Low loves the loyalty and companionship of the dogs, saying they sense when she’s upset and make it all better, and they make her life more fulfilling.