Am I working?

ooer ,jealously no doubt, you don't have to look back far in our history and see where the obsession with work comes from!
the pilgrim fathers when they arrived in the americas were not so keen on having fun! where are we today with that one?!
i wish i had your 'job'...

Of course you are working - you are paid by people to care for their dogs. You are running a business.
If you can, try to ignore your sister when she makes such a silly, goady remark, no matter how tempting it is to respond. It does sound as if she could be envious of what you are doing.
Congratulations on finding something you obviously enjoy and are successful at.

If you are paid you are working. You will probably have costs eg insurance, equipment (like a car for transporting). If you are not paid, only doing the dog care as a favour to the owners, I wouldn't use you are working to describe what you do, definitely busy. Using working generally makes folk think you have a job via an employer or you have your own business.

Macadia

Thank you everyone for your advice, confirmation and ideas. Yes, welbeck I think I will agree with her rather than arguing. It does make her statement seem rather silly. I argued once but that didn't work. Jealousy? I hadn't considered that. I was beginning to wonder if I was wrong because she kept correcting me. Yes, Georgesgran I claim this income, am insured and paying my taxes like a proper business. My sister is a bit older than me and does enjoy an argument and upsetting me or others when she has had a bad day. I will try these suggestions to see if that stops her mocking me.

My sister also likes to argue for the sake of it. She was also envious that I had my own money because I worked. Don't let her get you down, you are working and are being paid for it.

My concern in asking about paying tax, insurance etc was in case Macadia wasn’t and her sister (who seems jealous) might ‘dob’ her in. I’ve heard that happen.
It’s obviously a small business, she’s her own boss and has lovely, furry clients.

My aunt was like this to one of her sisters, another aunt. Constantly putting her down, belittling any achievements. If it wasn't about your job/business, I suspect it would be something else. Said aunt also couldn't 'permit' any family member to have an illness or ailment without her having had it worse; it was amazing how many 'top specialists' had been amazed at her survival.

It is just the way with some people, unpleasant though. My suggestion would be to smile, ignore, be glad you are not her.

Course you are. You can't go off for the day and just leave them can you anyway

They are not your dogs; you are caring for them for their owners, who presumably pay you. You have a responsibility to walk and feed them and so on, so yes, you are working. No-one said we aren't allowed to enjoy our work. I used to be a professional orchestral musician, and that's a job you don't do for the money, though it's on a par with teaching. It's easier than teaching, though.

Macadia In one way it’s not a ‘job’ because you are doing what you love - and you are being paid - lucky you . Your sister is just jealous - just ignore her

What does your sister do for work - chop sugar cane? Break concrete with a kango hammer? Lumberjack?

I have learned (and it took me a long time!) that just because they are sisters (I have two) they are not always your friends.

Mine have put me down all my life, I have given up on them, I don't need the negativity. I agree with JaneJudge.. tell her where to go!

Oh my goodness. I just today wound back to this original post and found all of your lovely words of encouragement and I now have tears streaming down because I have never had anyone be so nice to me as all of you have. No, I still don't think my sister is jealous. I think she is insane. You cannot even imagine how your short sentences and words of encouragement make me feel. I am in tears at the moment. I feel that you are my family because my actual family is really, really mean!

Macadia - thank you for coming back.
I'm pleased you feel supported here. How ridiculous she is!

Isn’t it funny…. peoples conceptions I work 20/25 hours a week voluntarily people don’t think it’s work because I m not paid but I work hard and it’s quite physical work too
Work comes in all shapes and sizes whether it’s voluntary, small business or in a big company
I know you say your sister isn’t jealous i think you’re wrong I thing she envies you doing a job you love, a job of your choice and enjoy your days with the animals
Take no notice either laugh it off or say what’s your problem with my career and put her on the spot

thank you *NotSpaghetti". I have had a rough day today. My DH had a very long seizure today and has not woken for days and my son is dying from cancer but I am still happy with my doggy friends. I think I am in a state of shock but I am still plodding along.

Thank you bluebelle I appreciate your kindness. I am so alone here but GN keeps me alive.

Macadia I'm sorry that you are going through the troubles you are - and what terrible worries about your husband and son.

Whether you have a job or not must seem pretty irrelevant some days but at east your dog friends will bring some happiness into your life and give you a "break" from worry.