I often wonder about why and how I began The Pet Set. I mean, greeting cards for dogs? How did I come up with this, and more importantly, why now?

For as much self-persecution as I bring upon myself about “failing” at corporate life, it dawned on me recently, that maybe I outgrew it.

Only with age do we begin to recognize who we are. And maybe that’s so obvious, after all — we’ve been living with our “selves” for so long, why wouldn’t get to know that individual well?

That recognition and acceptance help sharpen our life-tools in so many ways — tools that simply weren’t functioning in our 20s and early 30s, at least for me they weren’t (I have a closet full of old suits that can attest to that!)

We grow out of a lot of things as we mature: decorating sense (calico curtains?), friends, clothing (especially so)…and jobs.

There is no way I could take my current self back to the restrictions and maneuvering of office life…it would be like serving a Big Mac with champagne. (not that there’s anything wrong with that :))

So, as I witness my own maturing process (yet another expression line appeared this morning)…I’m telling myself that I out grew one part of my life in order to begin a new part…dog greeting cards and all things dogs.

My next chapter is starting to form itself, and I think I see a castle in Scotland in the image.

image: Colleen Madden for the-petset.com

Having admitted that I spend inordinate amounts of time at the supermarket, I should also tell you that for some reason while shopping, elderly customers always seem to want to talk to me.

“It’s strange for there not to be doughnuts on a Saturday, is it not?”…harped one white-haired, but beautiful woman recently. I think I suggested she buy a cake instead. Although the doughnut line seemed poetic, somehow.

I can always tell what time of day it is by the increase of older customers in the store: Sunday, church is out…it must be 1:00pm.

Immediately after my encounter with my new friend, I started to wonder what kind of older person I will be. Will I be alone? Will I be kind? Sour, bitter, energetic, valued…? Will I cook? Will I travel…have a dog?

I hope I become like one of those fabulous women who’ve decided to write a novel at 60…get it published and then end up on the (older) Oprah show. I’m thinking I’d like to start a foundation of some kind.

And I do plan to be living in New York or England, and stroll the avenues together with one of my other fabulous older women friends.

And I hope to be kind. With lots of doughnuts.