Hi Sarah,

I agree with a lot of what has been said and not so with some of it. I DO THINK it would be certainly acceptable to ask a nominal fee to be paid for your efforts. Of course, you may not be a professional (yet) but you may very well have a knack for this sort of thing. Also, you are not just a little kid (I checked your profile and you are 16 - 17ish) who would simply be rewarded by having the opportunity to "play with" some dog and likely accomplish nothing.

Like others had mentioned, we all have had jobs or commissions as kids and getting paid was a very good learning experience for us. We learned the value of hard work and a job well done and the most basic of all lessons - nothing is free. Also because we are paid far less as young adults, we learn that a car, a trip or something of equivalent value takes alot ALOT "ALOT" (get it - ALOT) of trained pups, or shoveling manure or snow - whatever. It is a great lesson in life. So we now know that a gift of similar significance is a really great gift and not to be taken lightly!!!

I worked summers from 15 years on with road paving crews, landscapers and general maintenance through my college years to help pay for my education. As an artist and an art major, I had unique God given abilities (as does everyone) that were often taken advantage of. "Paint me a portrait", "draw my dog, my girlfriend (no pun connection - just what came to my mind in that order)", "Can you do a Landscape?" How about an oil, just a quick sketch... etc., etc.. Just because you are good at something doesn't mean that you are just waiting for the next opportunity to spend the next week with all your free time doing something for someone else. Your local mechanic doesn't come home and spend all his free time fixing his neighbors cars for nothing. At least mine doesn't. I had to have spent hundreds of hours on freebie artwork. And the more you do, the more is expected... and Oh my God, no one would ever expect you to think of charging them!!!! My mom used to volunteeer me to do things like CRAZY!!! Paint the Sistine chapel at her church, "Oh Danny will do that for you Father". "Oh no, don't be silly... he wouldn't think of accepting money".

Anyways, since it all got started on the wromg foot, my only way out gracefully was to simply decline. I couldn't go back now and start charging for these things? Even though I was now earning my living for these same services. I "never did" before. So my advice is to go ahead and charge.

I would take the $7.50 she offered and I like the suggestion of accepting your pay for a successful endeavor. So wait to be paid after you've accomplished your objective, And I also agree that you probably should not be too unrealistic. One session is asking a lot of you and the pup. How about 3 - 2 hour sessions in which you play 1/2 hour each session (for which you don't charge) - but you do charge for a total of 4.5 @ 7.50 = 33.75 - oh heck, round it off for say $30.00. I would gladly pay that for a successful outcome.

I know others disagree, but again - you are 17 years old and it is not unreasonable to expect to get paid for a job. Even McDonalds pays $7.50 to flip a hamburger!