"Oh no," I thought to myself.
I'm so used to getting items delivered "next day" from Amazon that I didn't think it would be an issue.
Knowing the food we had wouldn’t last that long, I began calling local pet stores and big box stores in search of this one specific product. I called nine places—yes, nine—and with each "no, we don’t carry that," my worry grew.
It was Friday night, the vet was closed, and they wouldn’t reopen until Tuesday.
By the tenth call, I was feeling a bit desperate.
Hooves and Paws, a pet store located about 30 minutes away, was my last hope. When the person on the other end of the line said, “Yes, we have two bags,” I nearly jumped out of my chair. I told them I’d take it and would be there in an hour. Phew.
The relief I felt was overwhelming—after hours of searching, I finally had a solution. It took persistence, but in the end, I didn’t give up, and Buddy would have the food he needed.
Life is filled with moments like this, where things don’t go according to plan. Maybe
it’s a project at work that hits roadblocks, a home repair that becomes more complicated, or a goal that seems just out of reach.
In those moments, it can be tempting to throw your hands up and say, "Forget it." But persistence is often the key to solving the
problem and finding a solution, even when it seems impossible.
1. Take a Breath and Stay Calm
When you’re in the thick of a challenge, like I was when trying to find Buddy’s food, it’s easy to get caught up in frustration or panic. Take a
moment to breathe, clear your head, and calmly assess your options. I could have easily stopped after my fourth or fifth call, but taking that breath kept me grounded and focused.
2. Break It Down
Big problems can feel overwhelming, so
break them down into smaller tasks. For me, it was simply a matter of calling stores one by one. I wasn’t thinking about the next ten calls—I focused on each call, and eventually, it led to a solution. In any challenge, try breaking the task down into smaller, manageable steps.
3. Consider Alternative
Solutions
Persistence doesn’t always mean doing the same thing over and over. It’s about looking at the problem from different angles. If the stores I called hadn’t worked out, I would have explored other options—maybe asking friends who own rabbits, exploring other online 24-hour shipping options, etc.
4. Celebrate the Small Wins
Each time I made a call, even though I was getting “no” after “no,” I hoped I was one step closer to finding a solution. When you’re working toward something, don’t wait until the end to celebrate—acknowledge your progress along the way. Each small win gets you closer to your goal.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
When we’re stuck, we sometimes feel we need to handle everything ourselves. But reaching out for help can make all the difference. Whether it’s asking someone for advice or calling in an expert, asking for help can unlock a
solution you didn’t consider.
Persistence doesn’t guarantee that things will always work out perfectly. But it does guarantee that you won’t walk away from a challenge wondering what could have been.
Whether you’re chasing down bunny food, working on a personal goal, or tackling a tricky project, persistence is your most valuable tool.
In the end, finding that pet food was more than just a solution to a problem. It was a reminder that
persistence pays off.
And now, every time we feed Buddy his supplemental food, I’m reminded of the power of sticking with something—no matter how many “no’s” you face along the way.
I’ve also learned an important lesson: this special food takes at least a week to be delivered, so from now on, I’ll make sure to place the order as soon as we open the second bag. That way, we’ll always have enough on hand and won’t have to scramble at the last minute.
