I really have to say that my favorite clients have been real animals, seriously! I had a company that specialized in flying with pets on private jets. That morphed into pet nanny duties in home and at destinations around the world. It was fabulous!! It actually helped my intuitive service skills develop because when you are trying to satisfy the needs and provide for the safety of someone without language skills, you learn to be observant and empathetic.
My longest-term clients were 2 Golden Retrievers and 2 cats and their humans. I have the scars to prove it! I’ll never forget the first time we met. I descended the steps of the private jet I had prepared for their flight and met the car bringing my clients to the jet. I learned some big lessons right there on the tarmac.
When I cheerfully greeted them all they only had one dog at the time, Dolce, and she was beautiful. I assured her parents that I could take her so they might focus on getting settled on the jet. They handed me the leash, Dolce flew out of the car and promptly swept me off my 4″ heels and across the ramp. How to make a great first impression right? I escorted her to a grassy area and then onto the jet while hoping nobody would notice my torn hose or bleeding knee. We got settled and I discreetly changed hose in the lav after applying a Band Aid to my wounded knee. Off we went.
Dolce had a larger-than-life personality and she cracked me up. I usually had to keep her tethered in flight since she felt her skills were needed on the flight deck and would have spent the whole flight up there competing for window space if left to her own devices. She and I spent lots of time looking out the cabin windows, though, and she paid close attention to my running description of the land passing underneath us. She was always curious and extremely intelligent. We quickly became a team focused on her needs.
Everything changed one day when we took a flight to Idaho from Monterey, CA. We landed in Idaho and got out to stretch our legs and visit the grass. Then everything changed… A woman came out of the FBO to meet Dolce’s Mom on the ramp. That woman had a small white fur ball that she handed to my client and Dolce was NOT amused. Everyone gathered around the adorable new Golden Retriever that was to join the family. Gabbana had arrived!! What the Fluff???
Oh, this was wrong on every level. The door shut, then we taxied out and took off to head back home with that NEW DOG on board!! Dolce took one sniff and promptly chose to deny and ignore the situation. Maybe we were just giving this dog a ride?? Nope, we landed back in California and that dog was placed in the SUV that would take the newly expanded family home. Oh, not good!
Gabbana grew quickly and learned a lot from Dolce. Like how to take his seat immediately if we hit turbulence, wherever he wanted to!
They became my go-to critics on whether the catering was up to par.
Eventually we all became family, celebrating birthdays and holidays together. I would accompany them to their homes in Michigan and Pebble Beach and we would have sleepovers while I helped as my client’s assistant and home manager. They largely ignored the cats who totally ignored them. The dynamics worked.
The cool thing about flying with dogs is that they always seem to like the food served… to anyone. They never try to hide when they aren’t feeling well like a lot of humans do, so if you are attentive you get a warning before they redecorate the plane. They are extremely happy if you just stop and scritch them on the head and they have simple needs. Well mostly.
Yes, I have to say that my favorite passengers have been animals. They are grateful for any attention or efforts and never leave the paper strewn all over the jet or wrappers in the cup holders. I learned a lot from my pet clients; like how to be grateful for small things, have simple expectations and to always sniff my food before I eat it. Perhaps they are the answer to air rage and the stress of traveling. I just always found my days more centered and satisfying when working with pets.
*In memory of Dolce, the Princess. I have no doubt she is managing and preparing the next part of the journey for the rest of us.
Whitefish Dog and Home 