Giving up my dog for YackPack

Today we start sharing YackPack with the world. To arrive at this point, I've made some hard decisions:

• Should I continue my consulting work? (No)
• Where should we headquarter the company? (wine country, not Silicon Valley)
• How much of my life savings should I devote to the venture? (Most of it -- ouch!)

The hardest decision I made was also the most personal: I gave up my dog.

After buying a small home four years ago, I was finally able to get any pet I wanted. I choose an Australian Shepherd puppy and named her Kaya. We bonded. At that time I worked mostly from home, and Kaya always sat near my feet. When I got weary from the computer, we would go outside for frisbee. Ironically, Kaya was with me when I started researching what would become YackPack. When I had to leave to do user research, we greeted each other on return. You get the picture: Kaya and I were tight.

Fast forward to Spring 2005 . . . my company was ready to move into a real office. No dogs allowed. I knew that Kaya would be home alone all day -- and usually into the night. She would have no place to run and no companionship. We tried various solutions, but nothing worked. One day I took some deep breaths, switched off part of my brain, and posted an ad on Craig's List.

Kaya now has a new companion, a 10-year-old named Lucy. She lets Kaya sleep on her bed.

This may be a coping mechanism, but here's how I like to think about it: I did not give away my best dog for my company. Instead, I gave up my dog to pursue my dream.

Today that dream starts becoming a reality.

Comments

[Michele]

That's really sad. I don't know if I'd have the guts...

Anyway, I've signed up and can't wait to test YackPack. When will you start sending invites? :)

Good luck!