Rebecca O. - Pet-loving poet to care for your dogs

Thank you for checking my profile. I am planning a move back to Tucson, AZ soon and will no longer be available to dogsit in the DC area.

I spent this past spring volunteering at HOPE Animal Shelter (a no-kill shelter in Tucson, AZ), from February through April. There, I cared for dogs and cats.

I also exchanged dogsitting and housekeeping for a room in the home of a busy University of Arizona student.

References provided on request.

When I was three years old, I confronted the landlord's dog, a good guard dog who barked and scared me. She was taken aback, did not bark at me anymore, and from then on we were friends. I tried to make friends with every dog I saw, and admit I am still tempted to do so.

When I was six, my mother bought us a dog to keep us company in the wake of my parents' divorce. Distraught by having to leave my father's house for a "stupid surprise", I wailed "The only present I want is a puppy!" She wishes she'd had a video camera to record my reaction to seeing, in fact, a puppy - I was surprised all right!

I took more pictures of Spots than any of my family members, taught him to "smoke" a treat (by holding it in his mouth - balancing it on his nose wasn't impressive enough!), and chased him on foot through farmlands and swamps one night when he got out (I caught up with him by a chicken coop; he was a bird dog after all).

Spots was with us until I was 16, at which point we had to put him down because cancer caused him a lot of pain and made it difficult for him to eat.

Meanwhile, my dad got two dogs. Whereas Spots was a 70lb Brittany (he was a VERY big boy for his breed, not overweight), Dad got a Bichon and a Maltese. Quite a different scene! Milo and Maggie are still with us.

Now that I am in my 20s, I often dream of having a dog, but I know that dogs like good, stable homes, and they aren't cheap. Until I can provide for my own, will you let me get to know yours?

The only concerns I would have about walking a dog are:

1 - Is he/she a "runner" who likes to break away?
2 - Is he/she trained to heel, or does he/she like to tug?

I am used to walking dogs who like to tug and feel confident walking them (the husky I sat was always forging ahead), but if it usually takes a big, strong, bodybuilding man or woman to handle your dog, I do not fit that description.

If you book me as a sitter, I would ask about medications, your dog's training, how your dog is with people and other animals, how your dog rides in the car (in case of emergency), and vet contact info (also in case of emergency).

Yes, my car runs well and has a clear back seat.

Yes, given instructions.

Yes.

I have a 9-5 internship on Monday-Wednesday, but can spend time in the evenings and at lunch. I am completely free on Thursday-Sunday, and would be happy to spend as much time as your pup needs to feel happy and healthy while you are away.

Generally I would walk Aurora until her high energy level went down to a calm pace, throw her tennis ball until she grew bored and demanded a belly rub (which I admit did not take long), and gave her the demanded belly rubs (which were never eternal and thus never long enough for her satisfaction, but I did my best). I'd let her out in the morning and evening, and she was good about asking to go outside when she needed to. What kind of care does YOUR dog need?