For me, the person in Gilroy who most epitomizes this kind of following one's heart and in doing so has discovered her calling in life is named Carmela Siboldi.

You may be surprised when I tell you what her profession is: she runs a doggie daycare business.

I first met her when I needed someone to care for my two cats. Spookey, a feral cat I had adopted, needed medication twice a day for a week while I was out of town.

When I found a small listing in the phone book that read "Creature Comfort," little did I know what kind of caring professionalism I was about to experience.

A woman named Carmela Siboldi answered and said she would need to come over and meet my kitties. She also said giving medication would be no problem.

Siboldi has worked with animals for many years, showing dogs and working with breeders. When she began stopping by peoples' houses, she enjoyed caring for their cats, dogs, and parrots so much that she hated leaving.

Her love of animals evolved into the daycare at her country property where she has plenty of room for dogs to run and play. Now she has them with her all day, starting at 5am, with the last ones going home about 7pm.

Creature Comfort is an apt name for a place with couches and beds for the dogs to rest on instead of being kept in kennels. Not to mention air conditioning and heat when the weather is too hot or too cold.

Out in the yard, the dogs have pools to play in and lots of toys. "How do you keep them from fighting?" I asked.

"I interview them," Siboldi answered. "I can tell right away whether they will get along with the other dogs. I don't take any that show aggression."

With so many owners at work all day, many dogs are neglected or stuck inside. At Creature Comfort, it's not unusual for dogs to become healthier and lose weight from getting so much play and exercise.

For the past 6 years, Siboldi has come to my home whenever I travel, and not only has she cared for my cats, but she takes the time to leave me little notes about how they have been doing.

When I was gone to Europe for three weeks, I worried about expense, but Siboldi never gave me the feeling so many business people do today that they just want to get as much out of the customer as possible.

There have been times when I've needed her to just stop by once on a weekend and she hasn't charged me at all.

The last time she watched the cats for me when I was on a long weekend, she didn't take the check I left for her. She left a note with it that read, "You overpaid me last time. I'm happy to stop by, Carmela."

She could have more animals in her care, but is careful not to accept more than she can give enough time and attention to. Word of mouth has always provided her with enough business, but maybe you'll be lucky enough to get on her waiting list. For more info, call: (408) 848-8495.

If only there were more people in business like Carmela Siboldi, who "loves the labour of her trade apart from any question of success or fame," someone who has followed her heart.

Kat Teraji Kat Teraji is communications coordinator for a large nonprofit that benefits women and children. Her column appears every Friday. You can reach her at kattoy@verizon.net.