Looking for work is not the most thrilling task. Finding the right opportunities can be tough. It’s not often the perfect opening falls right into your lap. Lucky for you dog lovers out there looking for work: that perfect opening is here!
A job listing that’s somehow still available seeks someone in London to care for a beautiful home and even more beautiful Golden Retrievers full-time.
“A busy couple are looking for a live-in housekeeper at their 6-storey town house in Knightsbridge. They are both international business people who travel frequently and have 2 dogs. This is an informal property and they need someone to keep on top of the house while they come and go and to have sole responsibility of the dogs in their absence.”
The dogs’ names are Oscar and Milo. You’d be taking them on twice daily walks and managing their care. The listing specifically emphasizes a passion for dog care and past experience in this would also be a plus.
Oscar and Milo are not pictured.
You would also have to do some basic housekeeping duties, including cooking, laundry, food-shopping, and cleaning. You live where you work, and room and board is covered. I don’t think you’d find a living situation much better than that on Craigslist!
So even though you get to live in a nice home rent-free and spend your day with two beautiful Goldies, you also get paid between £30,000 and £32,000 (about $38,500 and $41,000) per year. According to USA Today, the average salary for a job like this here in the states is around $21,000. This job sounds like a top tier opportunity!
It’s a Monday through Friday job with occasional weekends. I don’t think I’d mind the extra hours of pup time.
The listing was posted on October 15th, so if it isn’t gone by the time you read this I’d be shocked. If it is still there: To apply you just have to create an account on the staffing website Silver Swan Search.
Qualifications For A Dog Care Job
It’s not required to have a high school diploma, but the majority of employers will want to see that as the minimum degree attained.
Most employers tend to also prefer candidates with previous experience taking care of animals. You can always volunteer at a shelter and take any necessary classes and training with them. Aspiring pet-sitters can also take courses through the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.
Most importantly: employers always want to see a candidate with a true passion for dogs. If you’ve read this far, you’re probably that someone.
H/T: Insider Featured Image: Congerdesign via Pixabay
Kristen and Duncan Dupree agreed that their wedding day would be the first time that Duncan saw her in her dress. They knew that some couples preferred to do a ‘first look’ before the wedding, but that wasn’t the path they wanted to take. However, they decided that they wanted their Labrador Retriever named Zeke to be an important part of their wedding day. That decision made Kristen rethink the whole ‘first look’ idea.
There was a time when Kristen and Duncan actually joked about Kristen doing her first look with Zeke. But then, as the wedding approached, Kristen realized that this idea wasn’t so crazy after all. Zeke is their best friend, and Kristen wanted to see his reaction to her in her beautiful dress.
“On the wedding day, I started to get some pre-ceremony jitters and really wanted to see Zeke prior to walking down the aisle,” said Kristen. “Zeke had been hanging with Duncan and the groomsmen all day. My matron of honor went to get him for me and it truly was a special moment for me. In the middle of a busy day of hair, makeup, setting up, and pictures, it was nice to just love on my dog.”
As soon as Zeke came out to see Kristen, he got very excited. He rushed over to his mom and immediately began giving her kisses. She was so excited to receive this kind of love before the ceremony, and her excitement can be seen in all the photos. Kristen even gave Zeke a big kiss in return at the end of the photo shoot.
Farlow Photography took photos of this entire exchange. Despite being different than a traditional first look, it is still extremely heartwarming. It is clear that Kristen and Zeke love each other very much. Many other dog lovers commented on how adorable the photos are.
“My bridesmaids, mother, and mother-in-law were the only ones to see the photo shoot,” said Kristen. “They all had huge smiles on their faces. We are all dog people and they knew how happy I was to see my boy!”
Zeke was an important part of the wedding. Not only did he star in these photos, but he also stayed in the groom’s suite during the reception. He even came out to the dance floor for a special dance toward the end.
Kristen and Duncan are so happy that Zeke was able to celebrate their big day with them. He’s such a huge part of their family, and he goes everywhere with them, so of course, they couldn’t let him miss out on this big moment. Plus, the photos will be memories that the happy couple can cherish forever.
Conan is the special operations military service dog who helped take down Isis leader al-Baghdadi in a raid last month. Her work has earned her special recognition. Introducing Conan as the “world’s most famous dog,” Conan was honored in the Rose Garden of the White House. Conan got very cozy with Vice President Mike Pence, nudging him for head scratches, proving that even the mightiest of dogs want nothing more than love.
When members of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, commonly known as Delta Force, landed outside al-Baghdadi’s compound in North West Syria, al-Baghdadi reportedly attempted to flee. He grabbed 3 children and ran down a tunnel that was a dead-end. Conan’s handler released her to make chase. Upon reaching the end of the tunnel, al-Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest. The explosion resulted in al-Baghdadi’s death as well as the death of the 3 children. Conan was wounded while in pursuit but recovered well and was back on duty the day after her photo was released.
Ceremony Attended by President, First Lady, and Vice President
Conan appeared before the press to receive a medal and a plaque. President Trump commented that he “actually believed Conan knew exactly what was going on.” We believe he is right! Conan is a highly skilled, very intelligent service dog whose intuition and understanding of events cannot be overstated. President Trump went on to call her “brilliant,” “so smart,” and “one tough cookie.” Hear hear, Mr. President!
Conan’s regular handler did not appear before the media for security reasons. The leash was being held by a probable secret service agent and of course, Conan’s behavior was pretty impeccable. It seemed pretty obvious that Conan got nothing but good vibes from Vice President Pence, though! Conan kept nuzzling the Vice President’s hand and the Vice President would oblige with a scratch. As soon as he stopped, Conan nuzzled again. It was endearing to both the Vice President and Conan.
“Having this extraordinary dog here today is all a reflection of our armed forces and the great job that they do. Conan is really a hero,” said Pence, while petting Conan’s head. “It’s really a joy to be able to help welcome him here to the White House.”
Thank you Conan for your extraordinary service to the United States!
My dog Cody recently celebrated his 11th birthday. That beautiful little creature has lived on this earth for barely over a decade, but there’s no denying he’s an old dog. If I were to calculate his human-equivalent age the way we’ve all been doing it for years, I’d multiply his 11 years by 7 and say he’s about 77 in “human years.” New research says that long-followed formula is not really accurate though.
A recently published study conducted to determine how human epigenetic clocks differ from animals’ found a more complex answer. The research was based on the idea that chemical modifications to a person or an animal’s DNA create those “clocks.”
The status of that DNA methylation (changes caused by chemicals essentially) can be sort of converted into age estimates or predictions of life expectancy.
The research focused on a single breed to make isolating the genetic factors responsible for aging easier: Labrador Retrievers. 104 Labs ranging from 4 weeks to 16-years-old participated in the study and had their DNA methylation patterns studied.
The Similarities Between Human And Dog Development
What the analysis says is basically this: Dogs (or at least Labrador Retrievers) and humans share similar aging and mutation rates.The similarities are especially apparent in very young or very old pups and people.
Evidently, some aging factors are a “continuation of development rather than a distinct process.” Matt Kaeberlein, a biogerontologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, explained what this means.
“We already knew that dogs get the same diseases and functional declines of aging that humans do, and this work provides evidence that similar molecular changes are also occurring during aging. It’s a beautiful demonstration of the conserved features of the epigenetic age clocks shared by dogs and humans.”
The data indicates dogs and humans have matching life stages. For example, a 7-week-old puppy would be about equal to a 9-month-old human baby in development.
Basically, a dog’s epigenetic clock initially ticks much faster a human’s, but eventually that ticking slows down.
How To Calculate A Dog’s “Human Age”
Considering all this, it turns out calculating dogs ages isn’t as simple as “multiply by seven.” The researchers were also able to develop a new formula applying to dogs older than 1 year. A canine’s “human age” roughly equals16 ln(dog age) + 31. (Thenatural logarithmof the dog’s actual age multiplied by 16 plus an additional 31.)
Most smart phone calculators have the “ln” function, so feel free to try it out on your pup. The calculation would make my Cody just over 69-years-old, which I’ll take over 77!
The new formula also matches up the average life span of Labrador Retrievers (~12 years) with the worldwide lifetime expectancy of human beings (~70 years.)
Why Do Some Dogs Live Longer Than Others?
The short answer is, scientists aren’t sure about this yet, but they’re working on it.
Steve Austad, an evolutionary biologist and aging expert at the University of Alabama in Birmingham says the similarities between human and dog DNA methylation processes could be applied to issues like the different life spans among different dog breeds.
That’s actually something Kaeberlein hopes to do with Dog Aging Project. The hope is epigenetic profiles of all dog breeds can help us understand why some dogs develop disease at younger ages or die earlier than others.
So before you order your dog’s next birthday cake, take out a calculator for those candles.
Sergi has always craved adventure, so it was no surprise that he took on the challenge of sailing across the ocean all by himself. Though he knew he had years of incredible experiences ahead of him, he had no idea that he would acquire a furry sailing partner along the way.
During Sergi’s journey he made a pit stop in Sardinia, Italy. What he thought would be a regular pit stop turned into the place in which he would meet his very best friend, Nirvana.
Sergi found Nirvana wondering the streets of Saldinia. Though she was friendly, it was clear that she had been severely neglected. After taking her to a local veterinarian to make sure she was healthy, he made the decision to take her along on his adventures.
He knew it would be an adjustment, but he couldn’t stand the thought of leaving sweet Nirvana behind.
Once Sergi made Nirvana a member of the canoe crew, it was time to teach her the ins and outs of living on the ocean. To Sergi’s surprise, Nirvana caught to her new lifestyle in a flash.
It’s as if Nirvana knew this was how her life was meant to be, as she quickly became the perfect boat dog. She was well behaved, easily stayed on their canoe during their travels, jumped into the water to swim when they were close to shore, and even jumped on to rocks that would cross their path. She was born to be a sailor!
Sergi and Nirvana went on to experience some of the most incredible adventures you could even imagine. They sailed through crystal clear waters, hiked through mountains, and canoed through underwater caves.
Though their sailing adventures started about 6 years ago, they are still living the dream to this day. Sergi and Nirvana are still chasing the next adventure, but now they have a new comrade to add to their crew.
Nirvana stumbled upon an abandoned kitten while she was sniffing around a town in Spain. The two took the days old kitten back to their home, where they bottle raised him and officially welcomed him into their special family.
Nirvana and Goku are now the best of friends and do absolutely everything together. If you see Nirvana, then you are sure to see Goku right beside her. They have a bond like no other and will get to experience a lifetime of adventures together!
This week President Trump made an appearance in the White House Rose Garden with Conan, the Belgian Malinois who participated in the special forces raid in Syria that resulted in the death of Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Conan was “slightly wounded” when Baghdadi killed himself with an explosive in his Syrian compound. Reports are that demand for this rare, excellent working dog breed are soaring due to the hero’s notoriety … no doubt by many who do not understand the demands of these smart-as-a-whip working dogs, and the extraordinary training and active lifestyle that best serves them. For those of you tempted by the allure of purchasing the equivalent of a canine Navy SEAL—resist and adopt a mutt from your local shelter. You both will be better served.
One of the unique aspects of adopting a shelter dog is the fact that, so often, there is little information known about the dog’s previous life. We may always have to wonder: were they loved, were they lost, were they okay before I found them? Even the smallest snippet of background information can make a dog’s personality and temperament more easily understood.
Evan Strand and his girlfriend Hannah Dordal had recently gotten a Labrador puppy. Like all Labrador puppies, little Waylon was energetic, curious, playful, and a fair but mischievous pup. The couple decided that they would adopt an older dog to serve as a good example for him. An older dog that knew the ins and outs of being a model companion would be good for little Waylon and the family overall.
The couple found Willie through the Humane Society in Woodbury, Minnesota. He seemed like a calm, collected, and sweet dog so they went to meet him. It seemed fated, with the names Willie and Waylon but they took Willie on a walk to seal the deal. While signing the adoption papers, they learned a fact about Willie’s past: he had been surrendered by a man that was going into hospice care.
This broke the couple’s heart but also painted a clear and impossible to ignore picture about Willie. He had been loved. He had been wanted. He had been okay. Now that Evan and Hannah had found Willie, they wanted to let Willie’s former family know that Willie was going to continue being loved, wanted, and okay.
They asked the Humane Society if they could have the previous family’s contact information, but of course they couldn’t release that information to Evan and Hannah. The couple threw a long shot and took to social media instead. Evan posted,
“Willie is a very loving and well trained dog, this leads me to believe his owner was attached to him and would appreciate being able to see him again and know that he made it to a good home.”
The post was shared an incredible 13,000 times. It was eventually seen by a member of Willie’s extended family who informed Evan and Hannah that Willie’s previous caregiver had succumb to his illness and passed away in hospice. Evan and Hannah were so very sad to hear of his passing and disappointed that they could not deliver the comfort they hoped to deliver with a last visit from Willie.
We believe that there is truth in the adage, “it is the thought that counts.” Thanks go out to Evan and Hannah for bringing Willie to his new forever home.
Maggie the Bulldog never asked for a life of crime, but that’s what happened after she was stolen in 2015. She had been living happily with her dad in Northern California until a couple snatched her from her home one day. Her dad was unable to find her after that, and unfortunately, she ended up in the wrong hands. She found herself living with two criminals that would bring her with them whenever they went to rob a house.
A rise in house robberies was noticed in Lido Key, Florida one week. Usually, the police have a difficult time describing suspects due to masks and other disguises. However, all these reports included one important detail: a white Bulldog. During every robbery, the duo made sure to have Maggie by their side, so the police warned people to be on the lookout for two individuals with a dog of that description.
After the announcement about Maggie was made, an individual in the area happened to run into a man and a white Bulldog. When they reached down to pet Maggie, they realized that she fit the police description perfectly. So, that person called the police right away.
Officers rushed to the area, searching for the criminals and their dog. They found them hiding in a bathroom, and sure enough, Maggie was right by their side.
The two criminals were faced with multiple charges including trespassing, burglary, and grand theft. Most importantly, Maggie was taken away from them. The poor dog had never wanted to be an accomplice to their crimes. She just wanted to be a normal dog.
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services took Maggie in. They scanned her for a microchip, and they learned that she actually had a family in California. They learned that the burglars had stolen her back in 2015, so the officers were determined to get her home to her true family.
When the officers contacted Maggie’s dad, he was very excited and grateful that she had finally been found. However, Maggie was still nearly 3,000 miles away! The reunion would take a lot of work, but everyone involved was eager to help.
Maggie’s dad scheduled her to stay at West Coast Veterinary Center of Sarasota for her required 14-day quarantine. They would make sure she was healthy and properly treated before making the long journey.
The police department was able to raise $800 to transport Maggie back to her dad. She was brought home by a service called Haulin’ Paws. Maggie’s dad requested to not have his identity shared on the news, but the person who brought Maggie to him said that the reunion was beautiful.
“As soon as Maggie saw him, she took off bolting, running to him. She actually ripped the leash out of my hand to get to him faster,” said Todd Grippe from Haulin’ Paws.
Of course, no matter how long a dog is separated from their loved ones, they’re always excited to be reunited. Dogs can’t forget their families that easily. So, both Maggie and her dad are very happy that they were brought back together after all these years. She is relieved that her life of crime is finally over too.
Volunteers are an absolutely essential component to an animal shelter’s success. Just ask any shelter director, veterinarian, or staffer. They will tell you that it would be impossible to keep up with the shelter’s demands without the help of dedicated and big-hearted volunteers. It takes a whole lotta love and hard work to keep homeless dogs safe, healthy, and happy while waiting to go home with a forever family.
Children stand to benefit in immeasurable and innumerable ways through volunteer work. It fosters empathy, teaches responsibility, and allows kids to build social and working skills that they will take into every classroom and job they enter throughout their lives. There are plenty of ways that shelters can put smaller hands to work. Today we will share 9 ways your kids can volunteer at shelters along with some practical tips to keep everyone safe and happy while doing it.
(Note: Every shelter has their own volunteer policies. Call your local shelter to ask about age requirements.)
#1 – Give a Shelter Dog Attention and Love
The most important and immensely rewarding gift a child can give to a homeless dog is love. Dogs end up in shelters for a wide variety of reasons. Some of them end up in shelters because their humans cannot care for them anymore. Others end up there because their humans never cared. Still others end up needing to be sheltered because something unexpected happened.
That was the case with Tye. He is residing at the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, where my family volunteers. He was a member of a large and loving family but when his human passed away, a former service dog trainer, all twelve of the orphaned dogs had to be taken into the shelter. Imagine going from living with a family, surrounded by those you love to being in a new place all alone.
Tye, and all the dogs in shelters, need love. They need as much human touch and interaction as they can get. Children can deliver affection and attention to dogs in need, helping them feel more safe and secure in an unfamiliar and frightening situation. And the best part? Kids will enjoy giving the love and affection just as much as the dogs will enjoy getting it.
As much as the dedicated staffers at shelters would love to be able to take each dog out for a satisfying and invigorating walk each day, it is just not possible. This is an area where volunteers can really step up and make a big difference in the daily lives of sheltered dogs. Even a short walk allows a shelter dog to get outside, smell all the exciting and engaging scents around the property, and get some exercise. Just the opportunity for a dog to be able to do their business outside is hugely satisfying and important.
Our local shelter has a fairly large outdoor area where dogs can be walked. Depending on the location, some shelters allow volunteers to take dogs off property for longer walks. Check with your local shelter’s director to see what is and isn’t allowed.
When dogs are able to perform basic commands, such as sit, it really improves their chances of getting adopted. When they meet potential adopters, they can put their best paw forward by showing off what good manners they already have. It also shows potential adopters how smart they are and that they are responsive to training. Kids learn valuable lessons in tenacity, positive reinforcement, and consistency when command training.
My boys love to help out in the kitchen. If they can get a little messy and lick their fingers in the process, they are all the more excited to get involved. Kids can get their kitchen fix making treats for local shelter dogs. To keep dogs active and engaged, shelters keep treat puzzles on hand for the dogs. A bored shelter dog will find plenty of entertainment in licking a frozen peanut butter-stuffed Kong. It’s an easy and fun way for your kids to contribute.
Ingham County Animal Control recently launched a new program that recruits community kids to read books to shelter dogs. They call the program S.P.A.C.E. Tails. Kids ages 6-16 can sign up for designated times lots to come read to shelter dogs. The shelter says of the program, “The shelter environment can be overwhelmingfor many pets, we have found reading to our residents reduces anxiety and creates a calming environment.” If your kiddo loves to read and loves dogs, this could be a great way to volunteer at your local shelter.
On top of loving up shelter pups from head to toe and taking them outside for a leashed walk, shelter dogs greatly benefit from some off-leash play sessions in or outside. Many shelters have meet and greet rooms and outdoor dog runs that can be used by volunteers to let a dog off leash and loose for some good old fashioned play time. Throw a tennis ball, squeeze a squeaky toy, or play a loud of keep away. Whatever games your kids like to play with pups, let them have it with a willing and excited shelter dog participant.
To help shelter dogs look and feel their best, you and your kids can spend time bathing and grooming them. The human interaction that happens with grooming can be helpful in and of itself. Being touched and paid attention to makes shelter dogs feel more at ease. Beatifying shelter dogs can help make them look and feel more attractive to potential adopters, too. Ask your local shelter if there are certain days or times of the month when it would most benefit the dogs to get a bath and brush. Is there a big adoption event coming up? Get those puppers ready for their big day with some primping and pampering.
Tips for Successful Junior Volunteering
Shelters welcome helping hands of all sizes. Genny Carlson-Brown is the Executive Director of the Humane Society of St. Joseph County. She told iHeartDogs, “I love when children come to volunteer at the shelter. I grew up on a farm surrounded by animals but here in our urban area, those opportunties don’t happen so often for our youth. Not only do they learn basic animal handling and how to care for the pets, junior volunteers learn compassion for the animals and really come away with a sense of accomplishment after volunteering. They gain confidence and learn all while giving back. It’s truly a win win.”
Kids can play with adoptable dogs in the meet and greet rooms.
Naturally, there are some tips you should bear in mind as you serve with your kids at an animal shelter. The prime concern is safety for the dogs and children alike. Some of the guidelines we learned during our volunteer orientation include:
Kids must be supervised by their parent or guardian at all times.
Kids should wait outside of the kennel while the adult gets the dog leashed.
Adults should be the only ones opening and closing doors. This avoids any animals getting loose or any fingers getting smashed.
Exercise common sense with leash walking. If your kid weighs 35 pounds, let them walk small and medium dogs but leave the big dogs to an adult. It’s also a good idea to take the lead when encountering another dog or human.
Approximately 3 million dogs enter shelters in the US every single year. That’s 3 million bellies that could use a good rub. 3 million backs that could use a good scratch. 3 million pets looking for a forever home. You and your kids can make a difference for the shelter dogs near you. Check out your local shelter and find out all the good that you and yours can do.
The Street Dog Foundation has rescued so many dogs in need of urgent care throughout the years. Though they have been a part of several desperate rescue situations, Liam’s story is forever imprinted on their hearts.
The rescuers at the Street Dog Foundation were made aware of an abandoned dog living behind a warehouse in Memphis. Once they arrived at the scene, they couldn’t believe their eyes.
Hiding between two dumpsters was a pitiful pup who’s spirit had been broken. He was covered in wounds from head to toe, and had the look of absolute fear in his eyes. After further assessing his wounds, it was clear that he had been used as a bait dog.
After everything he had been through, he was of course terrified to be surrounded by unfamiliar humans. Luckily, the rescuers of the Street Dog Foundation were prepared to do whatever it took to gain his trust and bring him to safety.
After hours of reassuring conversation and the offering of treats, they were finally able to scoop the injured dog into a blanket. They carried him to their car as they promised that his life of pain was now behind him.
The rescue team immediately took him to a nearby animal hospital where he received the medical care he so desperately needed. He was covered in wounds that needed to be treated and severely dehydrated from a life of neglect.
“The vet told us that in the 28 years she’s been practicing, she’s never seen a dog with as many bite wounds and live.” – The Street Dog Foundation
His stay in the animal hospital was documented day by day, and it was incredible to watch him come out of his shell more and more each day. What began as a terrified dog that could barely stand to look anyone in the eye, ended up a joyful pup who happily carried his new stuffed toy around the yard. He also seemed to enjoy having a special name of his own. His rescuers now called him Liam, and he truly glowed each time they spoke his name.
Even more amazing than his miraculous recovery was his reaction to other dogs at the clinic. Unfortunately, many bait dogs carry around a chronic fear of other dogs which can make it difficult to re-home them. While at the animal hospital, Liam not only tolerated the presence of other dogs, but actually made friends!
After a long hospital stay with a staff that was dedicated to get him well, Liam was finally ready to experience life as a loved indoor dog! He then set off to his foster home where he continued to heal and come of out his shell.
After some much-needed TLC and being medically cleared, Liam was finally ready to head off to his forever home. Luckily for Liam, his future family had been following his progress and knew they wanted to be the ones to give him the future he had always deserved.
Liam now spends his days in a loving home with his new furry best friend Dalia, who was also rescued by the Street Dog Foundation. This match was meant to be!
We cannot wait to watch Liam and Dalia thrive in their forever home together! Thank you to the Street Dog Foundation for making this incredibly transformation happen.
If you would like to watch Liam’s transformation week by week when he was first rescued, you can search the hashtag #sdfLiam on Instagram, or follow Liam and Dalia’s Instagram.
The Agility Competition at the Westminster and Crufts dog shows are a source of pure entertainment for dog lovers. It’s exciting to watch the incredible canine athletes, but the real fun is the unpredictability of the dogs themselves.
Take for example, Mia the Beagle. During her 2017 Westminster run, Mia was more interested in the crowd and the state of her lady parts than the competition.
And then there was Kratu’s 2019 Crufts performance. The shaggy Romanian rescue dog created his own path through the obstacle course, occasionally sprinting over to the sidelines to visit onlookers.
This year, a jaunty little Bichon Frise named Winky stole the Westminster show. His performance was excellent. He hit every obstacle just as he should. However, he did so at a glacial pace!
It seems sweet Winky forgot that speed is a big part of winning an agility competition! Maybe he mistook the course for the show ring? Watch as he prances through the course like he’s out for an afternoon walk!
Perhaps Winky and company aren’t used to such large crowds when they compete. Maybe they find the announcers distracting.
Whatever the reason for Winky’s leisurely performance, he certainly seemed to have a good time. Better still, the crowd adored him!
In contrast to the show portion of the competition, agility is all about fun. Every dog that qualifies to compete at Westminster or Crufts is already a champion, and the seasoned handlers understand they occasionally have “off” days.
I don’t know about you, but I enjoyed Winky’s performance just as much (if not more) than Verb the Border Collie’s winning run! It’s a great reminder that it’s not whether you win or lose, what matters is that you have a good time!
