Surely you can sniff out canine-related calling

Opinion

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I love dogs and I’m really into canine care, training and their health. I love hanging out with them. We understand each other. I’m not a big talker with people, but I really enjoy being with my dogs at home, on walks or teaching them tricks and I also watch a lot of dog videos online. I’m not looking to be a veterinarian and I don’t know if I want to be a vet nurse either, but I do know I really want to work with dogs.

I’m not going to be happy as a regular nurse (which my mother is pushing). Do you have suggestions for me? I’m a person who doesn’t want to learn just by reading books. I like and need action and I enjoy working both indoors and outdoors.

— Dog Lover Needing a Career, Winnipeg

Dear Dog Lover: You might check things out by getting a part-time job at a vet’s office to help you get acquainted with other jobs there. By the end of the summer, by watching and assisting, you might know what you want as a career.

You could also check out animal training businesses, animal shelters or dog-walking operations, for starters. You could also look into volunteering, or even working, at the Winnipeg Humane Society.

Look at the upcoming year as a search for the right fit for you in the dog world.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m sad to the point of crying that my aunt is leaving her partner here in Winnipeg and moving back to the West Coast. She says she never liked the vibe of Winnipeg and has been wanting to go back home.

She is a lesbian and so am I, and I want her to take me with her, but I’m only 16. My parents say I can go next summer after I graduate high school, but that seems so far away.

My aunt seems to agree with them, although we’re very close and she understands me and knows how much I want out to get out of here and go where she goes.

I noticed this week she’s not really pushing for me to go with her. I can’t figure out why.

— Confused, St. Norbert

Dear Confused: Because she’s going home single, she might want time to meet and mingle and possibly find a new mate. Having a teenager to look after might make that more difficult and she would feel bad leaving you alone when she goes out.

It’s also possible you might feel lost and lonely in a new place so far from home and if your aunt has a job to go to and you don’t, you could be lonely when she’s at work.

Moving somewhere else can seem like a fun idea before you actually get there, but when the initial couple of weeks are up, you can find yourself homesick and want to be back with the group of people who really love you — parents, siblings and good friends. When you only really know one person in a new community, you can end up feeling pretty lonely at times.

I get the sense you don’t want to lose someone close who understands what you’re going through as you grow up. Why not consider contacting the Rainbow Resource Centre (rainbowresourcecentre.org) about their roster of activity and interest groups. The centre offers support for the LGBTTQ+ community in the form of counselling, education and programming for people of all ages.

You’ll definitely make new friends there by taking part in activities and discussion groups. You’ll also find a whole new world of like-minded people who understand you. The bonus in not relocating right now is you’ll still have your family and close friends as a home base.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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