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Seinatra · 05-03-2005, 09:48 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050502/...NlYwNsbjc1Nw--

Man gets the poop on outsourcing

By Holly McKenna
Mon May 2,12:58 PM ET

DELMAR, N.Y. (Reuters) - Computer programmer Steve Relles has the poop on what to do when your job is outsourced to India.

Relles, one of a rising number of Americans seeking new opportunities as their work shifts to countries with cheaper labor, has spent the past year making his living scooping up dog droppings as the "Delmar Dog Butler."

"My parents paid for me to get a (degree) in math and now I am a pooper scooper," Relles, a 42-year-old married father of two told Reuters. "I can clean four to five yards in a hour if they are close together."

Relles, who lost his computer programming job about three years ago, got the idea of cleaning dog dirt from people's back yards from Mark Booth, a friend in Buffalo, New York.

Relles has over 100 clients who pay $10 each for a once-a-week cleaning of their yard.

Relles competes for business with another local company called "Scoopy Do." Similar outfits have sprung up across America, including Petbutler.net, which operates in Ohio.

In the United States, there are about 63 million dogs, each producing about 23 "presents" per week, which if left can be unsafe for children and pets.

Relles says his business is growing by word of mouth and that most of his clients are women who either don't have the time or desire to pick up the droppings.

"St. Bernard (dogs) are my favorite customers since they poop in large piles which are easy to find," Relles said.

His "scooper" is a converted ice scrapper duct-taped to a ski pole. He flicks the poop into a dust pan lined with a plastic bag, then loads the waste into a large garbage can which he takes to the dump when full.

"It sure beats computer programming because it's flexible, and I get to be outside," he said.

TripperFan · 05-03-2005, 10:16 AM

THAT'S IT!!! That's what I'm gonna do!!

I love dogs and the outdoors and have always said if you have to deal with the sh*t in the corporate world, I'd rather deal with the REAL stuff and dogs!

Max Whittaker · 05-03-2005, 03:23 PM

I certainly wouldn't mind that sort of career. I'll keep it in mind!

dawsongirl · 05-03-2005, 03:35 PM

Eww.

ponytail · 05-04-2005, 06:47 AM

I actually tried to get a pooper scooper job, but the lady told me she was just starting out and when she got busier she would call me. Never heard from her. I would love to do something like that. I dread the job I have now.

05-03-2005, 09:48 AM	#1
Seinatra Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 29, 2004 Location: Gran Chaco Posts: 1,840	For Anyone Having Trouble Finding a Job, Possible Career Change http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050502/...NlYwNsbjc1Nw-- Man gets the poop on outsourcing By Holly McKenna Mon May 2,12:58 PM ET DELMAR, N.Y. (Reuters) - Computer programmer Steve Relles has the poop on what to do when your job is outsourced to India. Relles, one of a rising number of Americans seeking new opportunities as their work shifts to countries with cheaper labor, has spent the past year making his living scooping up dog droppings as the "Delmar Dog Butler." "My parents paid for me to get a (degree) in math and now I am a pooper scooper," Relles, a 42-year-old married father of two told Reuters. "I can clean four to five yards in a hour if they are close together." Relles, who lost his computer programming job about three years ago, got the idea of cleaning dog dirt from people's back yards from Mark Booth, a friend in Buffalo, New York. Relles has over 100 clients who pay $10 each for a once-a-week cleaning of their yard. Relles competes for business with another local company called "Scoopy Do." Similar outfits have sprung up across America, including Petbutler.net, which operates in Ohio. In the United States, there are about 63 million dogs, each producing about 23 "presents" per week, which if left can be unsafe for children and pets. Relles says his business is growing by word of mouth and that most of his clients are women who either don't have the time or desire to pick up the droppings. "St. Bernard (dogs) are my favorite customers since they poop in large piles which are easy to find," Relles said. His "scooper" is a converted ice scrapper duct-taped to a ski pole. He flicks the poop into a dust pan lined with a plastic bag, then loads the waste into a large garbage can which he takes to the dump when full. "It sure beats computer programming because it's flexible, and I get to be outside," he said.

05-03-2005, 10:16 AM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	THAT'S IT!!! That's what I'm gonna do!! I love dogs and the outdoors and have always said if you have to deal with the sh*t in the corporate world, I'd rather deal with the REAL stuff and dogs!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

05-03-2005, 03:23 PM	#3
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	I certainly wouldn't mind that sort of career. I'll keep it in mind!
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

05-03-2005, 03:35 PM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Eww.

05-04-2005, 06:47 AM	#5
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	I actually tried to get a pooper scooper job, but the lady told me she was just starting out and when she got busier she would call me. Never heard from her. I would love to do something like that. I dread the job I have now.