20/08/2025
Warning - long read 😄
I am creating show leads for over 13 years, it all started when I was showing my own dogs and was looking for something more special than just plain boring cord, I was looking to buy and didn’t find anything I liked since I had something very specific in mind, so after a while I decided to make it myself.
Later friends, friends of friends started to ask for them and the rest is history 🙂
I love my job and messages when you receive your package sharing your excitement after opening it or pictures and results of dogs absolutely makes my day 🙂
Over the years there was some ups and downs, like when Covid hit and no shows were happening, later horrible inflation, I still didn’t raise any pricing and continued working just like before.
Few months ago my tax extemption of one of the taxes ended which in part resulted my taxes getting up by around 5 times, then I started to think to myself if it’s really worth it since it becomes more of a hobby than a job? Well, I just continued working.
Fast forward to now, today I was informed that Lithuanian post temporarily stops all shipments to US until further notice starting tomorrow (US stops de minimis exception which extempted parcels worth $800 or less from import taxes and Lithuanian post is waiting to hear how payments etc will work before they resume shipping to US again), it came as a shock since probably 50% of my clients are from US.
I cancelled my plans of the day to finish one more order for a client in US which I received last week when I was away for a holiday. It was a very specific order (not the style or length I normaly do), I informed her the news of the post and told post closes in another 3 hours so I tried to hurry up finishing it, when I finally did I sent pictures like I normally do, since order wasn’t paid I sent her the link for payment and asked if her address is same as last time.
At this point I still didn’t hear back (I’m aware of time difference) I just packed it along with other parcels I had to ship hoping to hear back soon. I arrived at the post, sent all my packages apart this one and decided to wait a little hoping she replies (she mentioned while ordering she needs them urgently, so I figured she really needs them). She finally did, saying she supposed to get free shipping, I said yes, we agreed free shipping while ordering 5, but she ordered only 2, so I included shipping fee (fun fact, couple years ago when inflation hit and shipping prices went up drastically I still kept same fee partly covering it myself which usually is around €12 to US while I charge €6.50 still), she didn’t reply. I told her I’m standing at the post office waiting, do I send it or not? She told thank you, I will wait.
Wait for what? Lol. I just wished her luck finding leads somewhere else. I put aside all my plans of the day just to finish her order which not only requires my time but also materials. I felt so done today.
I am not sure of the reason I am sharing all this today, I guess this silly situation was all I needed to reach a breaking point and wanted to get it off my chest and if you made it to the end - thank you 🙂
I am glad the vast majority of you - my lovely clients - understand the value of handmade work, the time and heart that goes into it and most often the process from tje moment an order is placed is smooth and pleasant for both sides, so thank you for that - I want you to know I truly appreciate it and you are the only reason I’m still doing it.
On a bright note, today at the post office I found out there are some exceptions for shipping to US, so I would be able to ship after all.
So, these two now famous leads are available - it doesn’t have soft collar part (perfect for heavily coated toy breeds like toy poodle, pekingese, pomeranian etc), complete length 60’’ or 1.5m, €30 each, you can find a lot more ready to go leads in available album with soft collar part, I also have wide selection of colors for bait bags with magnetic closure, not forgetting washable male belly bands 🙂
