I'm a reliable, resourceful, trust-worthy and creative green-thumbed animal-lover in my early 60's, with 15 years of experience with long and short term sits (urban, rural and suburban). Where two are better than one, my partner, an hvac tech, is available--we have excellent references together, as well.
I (we!) offer thoughtful, cheerful care for pets, plants and homes, and glowing references to this effect. I've received many repeat invitations to sit. I truly enjoy caring for animals, plants, and homes--and animals and plants, at least, clearly love me back. I'm a good communicator, flexible, have been the first sitter for many homeowners--and enjoy staying in touch.
I am a top-notch, 'green'-oriented, problem-solver; respectful, considerate, neat, conservation-concious, non-smoking, with a wide range of skills and long experience caring for many kinds of homes, including extensive gardens, ponds, pool, chickens, ranches, condos, car care, and pets with complicated care routines.
We offer you peace of mind so you can relax on your trip--we're homeowners and have been on both sides of house-sitting. During sits, we have repaired phone lines, furnaces, fences, toilets and leaky roofs; facilitated vet care; co-ordinated repairs; fed-exed packages, found lost things, facilitated hay sales; healed sick cats, and taught old dogs new tricks.
I'm a writer and visual artist, recipient of national and state awards, with books published and another underway. I've taught in university and community non-profit settings for 25 years. I'm also a yoga teacher with an interest in organic gardening and integrative medicine and an herbalist; meditator, gardener, and big reader. I like to walk, camp, feed birds, devise cat toys, cook, and enjoy the outdoors. I have volunteered my time in diverse ways.
Because I work/write at home, and apply for a housesit only because I want to be where it is, I am mostly on the premises daytimes, so in company with your pet(s) and will be there nights.
I appreciate and enjoy caring for a clean, quiet, pleasant place to live. For longer-term sits with no pets and no yard or other work, you don't pay me to housesit; I don't pay you to housesit--but given gas, food and other rising costs and my tiny income, I do appreciate owners' appreciation in the form of gas or grocery gift cards. For less than 2 weeks or if pets need extra care (walks at 5 am, pills or shots, for example), it depends; we'll discuss.
I'm happy to put you in touch with previous happy owners and to talk with you in detail by phone and/or or Facetime. I've had to pleasure of caring for multiple wonderful homes and pets and owners and gardens via HouseCarers and look forward to talking with you about being the next.
Best wishes for your search and safe travels.