Tia & Mario D.
Seminary Hill, VA
Active SAHM w/ fenced-in yard
Pet care experience
I grew up with two dogs - of all sizes and breed mixes - in the house at all times and helped train our dogs since I was 12. At 16 I started volunteering three times a week at our local humane shelter after school. I groom, bathe, and clip my Pomeranian myself (a shelter dog, if you can believe it), and we brush his teeth 2-4 times a week. My enthusiasm and love for dogs has made me the de facto dog boarder/walker for friends and neighbors, driven by my own eager offer of help whenever the need arises. I just want to pet and play with all the dogs! This summer ('23) I'll be watching several friends' dogs as well, so I will be accepting more than one client at a time. The dogs I'm watching are lovely and I've watched with multiple dogs before, so I know they'll do well with any other dog we watch. Feel free to ask me about them, I'm happy to expand on it to ease your mind. My work is my four year-old son, and we are active. A standard day starts with breakfast and a morning dog walk/bike ride around the neighborhood or to a nearby park. We'll play and get ready for the day back home, then go out on adventures: this usually consists of us racing through the woods screaming "We're running!", "accidentally" falling into streams, or hunting for bugs and mushrooms at a nature preserve or park. Our little explorer dog comes - we are a pack after all - and if you're comfortable we'd love to take your dog, too! If it is an errand/library/museum day our dog stays at home, and we are never gone longer than 3 hours max. The afternoon consists of playing and relaxing around the house and yard, then an evening walk after dinner. Brushing and belly-rubs in front of the TV is our preferred end-of-day activity! We are happy to take dogs with all levels of activity! We are in and out of the house often, and if your pup needs a little less adventure time and a little more nap time, we can make sure he gets that. We know how to rest as hard as we play! I walk with a leash and a pocketful of treats to help encourage good leash manners. My neighborhood has many dogs, all well-cared for and responsibly walked. We have a wooded dog walk behind the neighborhood that connects to Holmes Run and three parks within walking distance, as well as two dogs parks.
Reviews
Our two dogs had a wonderful stay! We had tons of pictures and communication. Thank you!!
Tia was wonderful with Cannon as always. Our go-to sitter :)
Tia and her family were so wonderful to our sweet Ollie! We were heading out on an extended vacation, and it would be the longest we've been away from Ollie since we got him. Tia and Mario instantly relaxed any anxieties we had with a great meet & greet where Ollie and their dog, Maui, immediately became the best of friends. While we were gone, she kept us updated on their adventures with pics of Ollie and the pups out at the dog park, on trails, long walks, and of course just general playtime at the house. We know Ollie had a great time because he came home and proceeded to sleep the entire rest of the day. We're so grateful to them for taking such good care of our pup while we were away.
Thank you so much for being so flexible and taking great care of Zeus!
About Tia & Mario D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have a fenced in yard, thoroughly tested by my 10 lb. escape artist Pomeranian, and a dog- and child-proofed home with cleaning supplies and food safely behind doors.
Home
Information Tia & Mario D. would like to know about your pet
What is your dog's basic routine? How does your dog react to strange dogs or people on walks? Does your dog sleep near you at night? Is there any special thing that your dog loves, like a Kong full of peanut butter, a tennis ball, or ear massages?
A typical day
We are outside with our dog a lot exploring different places like Dora Kelley, Green Spring Gardens, Huntley Meadows, etc. Some mornings we garden or dig in the backyard, others we walk to one of three nearby parks. We love to throw balls or squeaky toys, play hide and seek with treats, and dole out belly rubs and butt scratches liberally. Since my dog and child are small, but very active, there are plenty of chances for rest and activity throughout the day, so we can accommodate all activity levels!
Services
Tia & Mario can host
Availability
My son is a fan of throwing balls and letting dogs in and out of the house, but otherwise leaves dogs alone - he doesn't want to encourage licking.
About Tia & Mario D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have a fenced in yard, thoroughly tested by my 10 lb. escape artist Pomeranian, and a dog- and child-proofed home with cleaning supplies and food safely behind doors.
Home
Information Tia & Mario D. would like to know about your pet
What is your dog's basic routine? How does your dog react to strange dogs or people on walks? Does your dog sleep near you at night? Is there any special thing that your dog loves, like a Kong full of peanut butter, a tennis ball, or ear massages?
A typical day
We are outside with our dog a lot exploring different places like Dora Kelley, Green Spring Gardens, Huntley Meadows, etc. Some mornings we garden or dig in the backyard, others we walk to one of three nearby parks. We love to throw balls or squeaky toys, play hide and seek with treats, and dole out belly rubs and butt scratches liberally. Since my dog and child are small, but very active, there are plenty of chances for rest and activity throughout the day, so we can accommodate all activity levels!
Location
Alexandria, VA
Pets
Tia & Mario D.
Seminary Hill, VA