Pet sitter Li finds joy in every new skill a dog learns, seeing it as a small but meaningful accomplishment.
Li runs a "dog kindergarten" in Wuhan, capital city of central China's Hubei Province, providing pet sitting and trainings to dogs care throughout the day and helping these fluffy creatures to develop good habits.
Unlike traditional pet boarding, Li's facility allows dogs to roam freely during the day. Some puppies come here for daily daycare, while others stay longer when their owners are on travel.
"Many pet owners think that their dogs feel lonely at home. If there is no one at home, dogs are often confined to a cage, or wait for their owners at the door. We don't use cage, as we want to help them interact," said Li.
Meal times serve as training sessions, where dogs learn behaviors like sitting, spinning, and shaking paws. Through structured feeding and individualized instruction, they gradually understand and follow commands.
One of her stars is a white puppy named Doubao who has been attending classes since Li's facility opened to business. Thanks to its ability to execute commands accurately, Doubao has earned the role of "class leader" among the dogs.
"When I first brought Doubao home, it made a mess everywhere. I remember cleaning up at three or four in the morning, which was really frustrating! Now, it listens and understands what I want it to do," said Chen, Doubao's owner.
Dogs also have their physical education session, a time for movement and activity enhancement. By evening, the "kindergarten" quiets down, and Li takes a moment to send updates to pet owners.
Despite the busy daily routine, Li finds fulfillment in the small milestones these furry students made.
"Every time a dog learns a new skill, there's a sense of achievement. I hope they will have fun and make friends here. And I also hope their owners, whether on a business trip or busy with work, will not worry about their pets. I'm making my contribution to promoting a pet-friendly world," said Li.
Pet sitter finds joy in daily routine
