2024-04-06 10:21:27
Virginija Austynė from Klaipėda deserves a lot of respect, because she did what many of us fear: the mother of two daughters, who held a prestigious position in a bank for 20 years, quit this clean and comfortable, but unrefreshing job and became an animal groomer.
What’s more, V. Austynė devotes a lot of her time to volunteering at the animal shelter and not only that: she grooms all homeless dogs and cats for free and prepares them for a new, better life.
You listen to Virginia and agree with shame that our mission on this earth is not to make a lot of money, to reach the heights of our career. We all want to be useful to those around us, and the most important thing is that our activities give us satisfaction, so that we feel happy! Lacking inspiration? Be sure to read.
– Tell us how and why you were ready for huge life changes: you gave up your long-term job in a bank and dived into various sciences – massage, baby massage, finally – you became a professional puppy groomer?
– They say that a person needs to change jobs every seven years. My childhood dream job was banking, so I pursued it for a long time and purposefully, after I got a job, I progressed within the organization by taking new positions.
I had to change three financial institutions, so in 20 didn’t last long. However, in the last years of his career, the work routine began to weigh on him. I began to understand: no matter how much I worked, what results I achieved – it was still not enough.
The realization that because of the efforts of us, ordinary employees, the banks are accumulating unrealistic profits, and we never get a “thank you”. Anyone who has worked in a bank knows for sure that it is a busy, stressful profession. I began to long for certainty, the result of work, something where I could realize myself.
That’s how I enrolled to study massage specialty at Klaipėda Ernest Galvanauskas professional center (studies lasted 2.5 years). I really enjoyed studying, I learned a lot, which I can apply even on a daily basis in my family. But fate had other plans for me. After graduation, the Covid19 pandemic began, so working in the massage field was not possible. Although the housemates are really happy with these skills (laughing). I truly believe that regular massage can prevent many diseases or their complications. Baby massage is especially important because it helps the development and development of babies.
And the idea of learning animal grooming came naturally after I started volunteering regularly at the “Be My Friend” animal shelter. By the way, I have been volunteering there for five years. And I strongly invite everyone to join.
I like to joke that the shelter represents a sports club for me, a psychologist, I met great friends there (both two-legged and four-legged). I realized that I perfectly understand the behavior of dogs, I have no fears, and a nicely “groomed” client evokes super emotions. So, I finished animal grooming courses in Kaunas and have been going to work like a holiday for a year and a half.
– Tell us what the daily life of an animal groomer looks like?
– The daily routine of an animal groomer – hair… Lots of hair. They accompany you everywhere, whether you like it or not, clean or not. Gotta put up with it (laughing).
– Is this work difficult?
– Every day is different. I am learning every day because different breeds of animals are “groomed” differently.
– How do you manage to negotiate with four-legged customers?
– There are good and bad ones, but there has never been one that could not be cut or skinned, somehow we come to an agreement. You have to accept that this is not an easy profession. As with people’s hair salons, everyone wants to get their hair done in the evenings, weekends or before holidays, so no regular schedule.
Another job came out of animal grooming (my daughters help here the most), we help and take care of pets while their owners are on vacation. I often joke that our puppies also take a vacation from routine and home. They visit us in a cozy home environment with walks in parks, by the sea, in the garden.
Working with animals is really responsible and difficult, but it is the sweetest for me.
– The most memorable, or maybe the funniest incident from your work practice?
– When working with animals, every day is like an adventure, but I will remember one for a long time. The customer brought three kittens for bathing: two young kittens and an older cat. First I bathed him and let him dry. Later I took up cats. After bathing them, I look, the rind is gone! I searched the whole hairdresser – there is none… I look – the window is left a little for ventilation… In other words, I have already started creating the worst fantasies of what happened to that kitten. After all, it’s not a dog here, it’s easier to find a dog if it has run away, and a kitten will crawl into a crack, and that’s it! Literally, I turned gray by at least five hairs, just looking – a friend comes out from behind the corner of the closet (laughing). Good lesson. Now not only are the windows closed, but the doors of the barbershop are also locked because there are tricksters who manage to open the doors.
Another funny thing happened before this Christmas. We had an amazingly good Labradoodle Bella at home to take care of. The dog is really fantastic, she didn’t bark, she didn’t ask for food, she didn’t climb into the bed – in short, a dream pet. I praised her so much to everyone! On my last day of maintenance, I just had a Christmas event for which I baked a big bowl of kibbins. And what do you think, while I took my own puppy outside for a walk, when I came back I realized that there was no smell left of the treats I had prepared! I had to buy food in a hurry in the store. And Bella’s full Christmas came earlier than she expected (laughing).
– Do you volunteer at an animal shelter and are now grooming homeless animals for free?
– A lot of shelter pets have been in my bathroom. Not all savages like it.
It is extremely sad that people treat animals like unnecessary things, play with them, and throw them away when they get bored. I think the government should tighten the laws regarding the care and maintenance of animals, breeding…
– Tell us about your family.
Family is my fortress. I am raising two daughters with whom we like to travel, ride bikes, play board games, etc
– What do you do in your free time?
– In my free time, my biggest hobby is an animal shelter, I also like to spoil my family with delicious food, go for a walk by the sea, and visit the most beautiful places in Lithuania.
Another passion in life is dancing. I have been dancing Zumba for many years. Later I thought I wanted to try more styles, so I line danced. With the dance group “Vyšnaitės” (Plikiai), we participate in various events, dance at town festivals, and are actively preparing for the summer project in Palanga “Draugystės tiltas”. About 1,500 dancers participate in it, and the event grows every year.
– What is your biggest dream?
– I dream that my daughters will be good and happy people, most importantly – pursue their dreams.
I have a puppy from the shelter – Franko, I love him like a real member of the family.
I would be incredibly happy if not a single unwanted, abandoned animal remained in the shelters.
I already have my dream job!
Maybe it’s banal, but I dream that peace prevails in the world and wars end as soon as possible.
2024-04-06 10:21:27