Pokéhusbandry

When I was first asked for my Poképrofession, I wasn't sure what to say.  Obviously Pokémaster came to mind, because we all want to be, but I was forced to take a step back and think about what I actually do in the Pokéworld; how I contribute to the Pokécommunity.  
I looked over to my stack of guides and handbooks, garnished with personal notes and various stats I wrote in myself, chewing on the fact that I rarely use them for tips to beat the Elite Four or for solutions to in-game puzzles, but rather for the Pokédexes contained within.

Before I even start a game, I always pick out which Pokémon I want to raise and how I want to raise them, details include at what level to evolve them, and which moves they should learn to maximize integration with the rest of the team and to cover their individual weaknesses.  This could classify me as a Pokébattler or Pokétrainer, but I delve deeper into the Pokémon themselves; they're not tools for victory or trophies for my collection.  They're mine.  They're my Pokémon, and I want them to be the best they can be.  Pokémon are worth nothing to me unless I get to raise them.  I could battle using my Mewtwo, or trade it for some level 100 Magneton or something, but where's the fun in that?

I have a notebook in which I write my ideas.  If I suddenly think of a Pokémon I'd like to raise, I always write it down and do a bit of research into how I'd like it to end up.  Sometimes I'll come up with a plan for a Pokémon weeks or months before I actually raise it.  I'll chart a course for its whole life before it's even born.

That's what makes me a Pokémon Breeder.  My goal is to bring out the best traits in any Pokémon, and to produce a stellar example of each breed.  If I'm going to raise a Skitty, it's going to be the best Skitty the world has ever seen, not because it's the most powerful Pokémon or the best at battling, but because it will be the best at being a Skitty.