Summary

Availability: Available

Rates: Negotiable

References: Yes

Insurance: Yes

Services Offered

Dog Walking

Dog Sitting

Dog Daycare

About Me/ Company

2021 has been quiet for obvious reasons. That followed a half year of me doing house sits and pet sits in New Zealand, looking after rescue dogs, cats and rabbits, which have been rescued and adopted from a leading animal rescue organisation in New Zealand.
I am a reliable, organised, energetic, trustworthy lady who took taken early retirement to look after my elderly Dad, who sadly passed away, and then I had my elderly Mum to care for, while limiting the amount of 'sits' I was able to do, while sharing Mum's care with my sister. Sadly, she has passed away at a grand age. I am based in the East Staffordshire, but cover the UK. Being with dogs is in my DNA and I connect immediately with them. I miss the company of dogs, as I have always been a pet owner, and even as a 10 year old, I walked local dogs. My first dog was a Lhasa Apso cross, who I adopted from my next door neighbour upon his second marriage. I have also owned pets such as hamsters, tortoises, rabbits, cats, a bearded dragon and goldfish, and we always had a dog. Sadly, my last dog, my rescue dog, a Lakeland x Border Terrier, passed away at the good age of 17, and I miss him very much, but at the moment, feel I would not have another dog, as he is irreplaceable. I am a keen walker, and love the outdoors, so you would not need to worry about your dog receiving plenty of exercise, especially if they are a breed which requires a lot of walking.
I have had extensive experience of looking after rescue dogs or dogs who have experienced a traumatic past. The standard comment I receive on completion of a sit, is how happy and settled the dogs are. I also keep the owners updated on a regular basis, either by email or text, so the owners are assured that the animals are settled in the owner's absence. This is appreciated by most owners.

Previous Experience

I have been a house sitter for 7 years and a dog sitter for 5 years. I have been a dog walker for The Dogs Trust, when it was The Canine Defence League.
I have previously bred, worked and shown Border Terriers, one of whom qualified for Crufts. My dogs have lived to the good age of 15, 16 and 17. I was continually congratulated on how I kept all my dogs at the required weight for their breed.
The breeds I have looked after since being a dog sitter are King Charles Spaniels, Cockapoos, Poodles, Jack Russells, Chihuahuas, Border Collies, Bearded Collies, Lurchers, a Bichon Frise, a Great Dane, Standard Poodles, German Pointers, German Shepherd Dogs, Labradors, Retrievers, Border Terriers, Dachshunds, Chesapeakes Retreivers, Greyhounds, Chihuahuas, German Pointers, Pomeranians (medium and teacup), Yorkshire terriers. Lhasa Apsos, a Havanese, beagles a British bulldog and French Bulldog, Pugs, Cockapoos, an Australian Labradoodle, Huskies, Staffies. a gryffon, a shitzu and fox terriers. and Romanian rescue dogs. All of various ages, sizes and ages from all backgrounds The oldest dog I look after is currently aged 17. I am also used to giving medication to dogs.
My aunt owned poodles all her adult life, and my uncle owned English Bull Terriers for all his adult life. As a dog lover, I would spend a lot of time with the dogs from an early age.
I have also looked after cats of all breeds and ages, from pedigree cats to fireside cats.

Qualifications & Training

I have successfully completed a Diploma Course Veterinary Support Assistant with Distinction. I have over 7 years experience of housesitting and 5 years of dogsitting, i am a reliable, organised person with a professional approach.
I have a Food Hygiene Certificate and I am DBS checked (the former CRB check).
As a homeowner, I have experience of dealing with household issues as they arise. I am happy to answer any questions you may have and I do have outstanding references.

Relevant Info

My father is from a farming family. His love and respect of all animals was in his DNA, which I have inherited. My mother had 'green fingers' which I have also inherited, so there is no reason to worry that your garden. I have been a young farmer in my youth.
During my years showing dogs, I also typed manuscripts for one of the UK's leading authors of books on sporting dogs, and working dogs.

Other Services

I am fully insured. I am happy to also look after other pets/animals which may be in the household, while looking after dogs or cats. As a child, I had a menagerie of pets, including fish, hamsters, rabbits and tortoises. I have also looked after goats, ducks, chickens, cows and horses.
I am happy to look after elderly dogs, as there is often a quiet dignity and gentleness about them. The eldest cat I have looked after was 21, and sadly died last year of old age. The oldest dog I look after is 17.5 years of age.
I have have now looked after several rescue dogs and cats, which I enjoy, as they have a tendency to exude a wonderful friendliness and enthusiasm in response to kindness.
I have 'green fingers', and I would not let a garden deteriorate without ensuring it was watered regularly during the summer months, where necessary