Oh hey, look at that, a new category of post!
Welcome to the first iteration of The Art of Improvisation! In this category, I'll be talking about all things within the life of an actor / the theatre in general that you go into with certain expectations, but that reality proves to be a bit different. Whether for the better or for the worse, expectations have to shift and you're forced to improvise!
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Guys, so many people have dogs in the city. I'm truly thrilled to see so many K-9 companions walking the streets of NYC alongside their owners, but there was definitely a part of me that anticipated there would be fewer. I imagine living in the heart of the city with a pup is difficult, from ensuring they're getting exercise to finding where they can go potty. I applaud those pet owners who are doing it with style.
You may or may not know, but Mychal and I are dog parents! We have a beautiful Schnoodle named Atticus Finch. He is the dorkiest, sleepiest, most excitable 65-lb gentle giant you ever did see, and we are proud to call him ours. Before we got married, Atticus was Mychal's son, but I am very pleased to report that since moving out here, Atticus has fully accepted me as his dog mom.
You also may or may not know, but Mychal and I live just outside of Manhattan in NJ. Mychal and I decided that we didn't want to live in the chaos of the city and would rather take the commute in and out of NY so that we could come home to a more peaceful, suburban oasis. That obviously came with its perks, and it presented us with a unique set of challenges as well.
It's one thing to be dog parents living in NJ in the home we have -- without access to a private and/or gated yard -- and working "normal people jobs": that's tough enough. But being dog parents with that living situation but both parents are working actors? It's a new ball game, one that we've had to adapt to quickly with every new opportunity that has come our way. It's a lot to juggle! Between ensuring that Atticus can get outside every 8 hours at the very least and allowing ourselves the time demanded of us at auditions, callbacks, rehearsals, performances, or two doe shays, all the while taking AT BEST 40 minutes of commuting time into consideration, the task becomes more and more daunting.
So what do you do? Here are a few things that might help that we've learned through trial and error:
Have Contingency Plans in Place BEFORE Necessary
If you're planning to make a big move into the city and bringing a furry friend, start creating your "just-in-case" checklist now so that it's not a major source of stress when it becomes essential. It's hard to be excited about an upcoming project that will take you away from home all day long for rehearsal when you have a fur baby trapped inside the house for 12 hours straight; don't make it more difficult for yourself by putting on the added pressure of a countdown. So start figuring out now what you'll have to do if you can't get home. Are you asking friends to check in and take the dog outside? Are you leaving them with overnight boarding because you won't get home at a decent hour? Is there anyone close to home that can pop in in the middle of the day? Ask these questions now, not when it becomes apparent (because trust me, IT WILL BECOME APPARENT SOONER THAN YOU THINK).
Make Friends With the Neighbors
I can guarantee you -- you can find a neighbor that loves animals and/or has one of their own that would be more than happy to check in on your pet in a pinch. It's a fairly harmless ask, and it's easy enough to repay the favor if they ever need it!
Enlist The Help of Friends
Do you have friends that live anywhere near you? You're lucky! Ask a friend to stop by and hang out at your house for the afternoon while you're away. Not only will your pup be familiar with them and therefore comfortable hanging out with them, but you will be more at ease with a friend that you trust taking care of them. And if you ever need to be away from home for long-term, I have no doubt you can find a friend that will either dog-sit in their home, or house and dog-sit for you (as long as you give them enough warning).
Consider Your Pup When Planning Upcoming Work
This one may seem obvious, but plain and simple: before you commit to a job or make plans to attend an audition, stop and think how it will affect your fur baby. Will it take you away all day long, for a prolonged period of time? Will there be an opportunity for you to stop home at some point in the day? Is anyone else around that can help during that day / time frame? Will it take you away from home, period? All of those questions require answers.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
For those of you out there with live-in family, roommate(s), or a significant other, this one is crucial. Talk about your daily schedules, ensure that the dog has enough face time -- as well as outside time -- with at least one of you during the day, and touch base with each other throughout the day, especially if plans change.
Listen to Your Gut
I unfortunately speak from personal experience on this one. If you have a gut feeling that something is off about the person you're leaving your dog with / asking to take care of your dog, you're often right. Whether it be a private boarding individual or a boarding company, bad vibes are bad for a reason. Advocate for your dog and take them out of the situation if you need to. And on a similar topic, note how your pup pup acts when you reunite with them. Are they anxious? Are they scared? They should come back to you about how you left them -- if not more excitable because they're back with you! I expect you know your own fur baby well enough to know when something is amiss -- pay attention and adjust as needed.
You really never stop to think about all these things until you have to -- I certainly took living in AZ with a fenced backyard and a doggy door for granted. It has been a difficult transition for all of us, Atticus included, considering he's still learning to love the "apartment dog" lifestyle, but there really is nothing better than coming home and being greeted with such unconditional love. I wouldn't trade it for anything! Do you have any other tips or tricks that I can add to my arsenal? Let me know down in the comments -- I'd love to chat.
Thanks for reading, #DreamTeamHLJ, and give your puppies a kiss from me!
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