Rising Stars: Meet David (DahVeed) Perl

Today we’d like to introduce you to David (DahVeed) Perl.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My early 20’s I spent much of my time dealing with and battling drug addiction. I was in and out of various institutions or programs for three to four years. As I gained a footing in recovery, I started a job as a barista in the early 2000’s, making $6.75 an hour. Over the next six years, I worked my way up to be a Manager-In-Training at the second coffee shop I worked at. During that time, I also got married. Due to issues at work with upper management, I was told I had to leave my job. I remember having barely any money and going to free food banks to get by. I told myself this wasn’t my calling in life, that I didn’t want to live this way and I made a great effort to overcome the adversity I was facing. I replied to a Craigslist ad to help walk dogs and be around a doggy daycare and was soon working again. Less than a year later, I was in the process of getting divorced and looking for places to live. If that wasn’t enough the doggy daycare place decided they were closing and things didn’t look good again. Rather than feel sorry for myself or throw a pity party, I found the inspiration to start my own dog walking and pet sitting business.

The owners of the doggy daycare handed me their client list (Wow!) and before I knew it, I had my own business. And here I am now….around fourteen years later….still running my business. It is very empowering. Recently I had the opportunity to go to New Orleans to shadow an amazing dog trainer I respect and that I’d been following online for over ten years. Life-changing experience. So presently, I’m an aspiring dog trainer and hope to add that to my business in the coming months. I feel so grateful to be where I am today and am humbled by all the love and support shown to me by the people that surround me. I truly believe the best is yet to come. Lastly, because I’ve been so blessed I feel a “calling” to help others, lift up people from feeling down and inspire others to become the best versions of themselves as well.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My life in the past was full of obstacles, mountains to climb and falling down and getting up. Whether it was struggling in school, my drug addiction, getting divorced, just getting by financially or dealing with the ups and downs of clinical depression. I think most people expect life to be an easy, smooth road. Firstly, I would tell anyone to stay far away from expectations for a variety of reasons. Secondly, life is not a Disney movie. It’s difficult and there are many challenges in store for us along the path. And lastly, for the most part, it was not outside forces that always caused my struggles. I played a big role in creating chaos and heartache in my own life. It was messy and a little clunky but I made it through the tough times. I had to look at myself and fix what I could to get to the point where I am today. Today I am driven to become the best version of myself that I can possibly become. I’m forty-four years old and life keeps getting better and more meaningful. Many people, for whatever reason, lose their love for life or become bitter, sad, lonely and resentful. I try to find meaning in everything I do. Maybe it’s because of all the struggles I’ve been through but I appreciate life. I try to Give Thanks for everything that comes my way. I hope to always keep striving, continue to learn and grow, connect in a meaningful way to those around me, create community and be thankful for all the blessings.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For the last fourteen years, I have worked for (I like to say “with”) myself as a dog walker and pet sitter. In the coming months, I hope to add dog trainer to that as well. I’m personable and run more a mom and pop style of business which I love. I really enjoy my business being small because I can pay better attention to detail. I’m consistent, hard-working, always there for my clients, flexible with my time and schedule, good with dogs and people and (most importantly) love what I do. I believe that because I love what I do, I feel free and can tap into the real me. It has also been very empowering working for myself. My self-confidence has grown exponentially as a result. Although I use the word “client” when talking about business, I don’t look at people like that. They are good people who trust me with the care of their beloved dog or cat (and one time a couple of chickens!). I’ve even become good friends with many of them that extends way beyond walking their dog. People trust me because I care about what I do and put my all into it. When I’m walking a dog or pet sitting or studying dog training my mind is not daydreaming about where I’d rather be. I’m happy and content. I’m in the moment and present. Amazing things happen when I’m in that zone. Endless possibilities of goodness exist in that sweet spot. And they exist for everyone. Each person has the ability to tap into that and lift themselves up. How amazing is that!

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’m unsure how to answer this question. Language is very important in our daily life and I am not a fan of the word “risk”. When I look up the definition, it explains it as “the possibility or chance of loss or injury”. What I would say is I weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a given experience or situation and make the best choice. When I was let go from my coffee shop job, I had the choice between staying in the coffee industry as management at another coffee shop or taking a job as a dog walker and doggy daycare attendant. I guess you could say I took a risk by choosing the lesser-known entity. But is choosing happiness a risk? I feel like it was more of a conscious choice. And on that note I would like to say that we constantly have a choice of what action to take or how to respond to a situation. It’s in our hands more than we would like to think. It’s easy to blame the universe or other people for something that didn’t go our way. I believe we can improve and uplift our situation if our mind, heart and actions are in the right place. Goodness waits for us. We just have to work hard (Work hard!) and reach out for it.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.casperscrusaders.com
• Instagram: @casperscrusadersdogwalking
• Facebook: Casper’s Crusaders