I have always been a huge animal lover and the joke is that "I speak dog." I ask to pet strangers dogs on the street, and they always respond extremely well. I love spending time with dogs- from petting them in bed (or on the floor), playing fetch, or going for long walks or hikes, I love it all. Family friends have asked me to dog walk/pet sit for them starting in 2011. I've done everything from stopping by to check on the animals and walking them, to staying over in the family's house for up to 14 days while caring for the animal(s). I've watched anywhere from 1 dog/1 cat at a time, to staying in a home with 2 dogs, 5 cats, 8 finch birds, koi fish, and a parrot at a time. When pet owners go away, it can be sad or stressful for their dogs and other animals. I feel it's best to keep their routine as normal as possible, by not only having the dog stay in the home, but for myself to stay with them as well. That way they will have company, and will be in the comfort of the home they know. I got my first pet dog at 9 years old- she was half Newfoundland, half Labrador. She weighed 80 lbs which was more than I did at the time. As our family pet, we all took turns walking, playing, picking up after, and caring for her. I spent hours playing with her in the back yard, teaching her tricks, and going for long walks. She lived until the ripe age of 14, and lost a leg towards the end due to cancer. (Along with having only 3 legs, she was on medication in pill form that I gave to her everyday.) She wasn't just a family pet, but more like a sibling to me- she was my litter mate and I grew up with her. In 2016, I hiked the Appalachian Trail- a footpath spanning 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. Along the way, my hiking partner and I got a 7 week old puppy. We carried her until she could walk, and we raised her along the way. Between her, my first dog, and others I've raised or petsat for, I am experienced with puppies and senior dogs alike.