• "E" is for Emmy the Pet Sitter

Darcy models the Emmy the Pet Sitter T-shirt

"Emmy the Pet Sitter" is the name of my business. I did no market research and, as I recall, asked the opinion of only one or two friends. On good days I like the simplicity. My name is Emmy. I'm a pet sitter. On bad days it brings to mind a certain self-important someone: "I'm Popeye the sailor man!" Thump thump of chest.

I'm a sole proprietor and I plan to stay that way, so the "Emmy" part is applicable. For 32 years I worked in a large organization, and while there were many things I appreciated, it's a relief to be on my own.

When I tell people what I do, nine times out of ten they'll say, "I know someone who's looking for someone to walk their dog," but I'm a live-in pet sitter. You leave your house to go on vacation and I move in to take care of your animal(s).

My friend Brenda sometimes refers to me in the third person. "Look who's here—it's Emmy the Pet Sitter!" she'll say as she opens her door and her dogs, Arlo and Darcy, rush to greet me.

It's giving me a bit of a swelled head, but I guess that's OK as long as I don't start thumping my chest.