Rover sitters Amy and Charles Johnston enjoy making their clients feel special. The couple run an overnight boarding business from their farm in Sperry, Oklahoma, where canine guests are shown the ropes by their playful dog Memphis, a mini Goldendoodle.
The Johnstons commemorate each pet’s stay with an adorable portrait that hangs on the Bub Club wall of fame. This display, located in the family’s home, features each dog having fun on the farm in a stunning photograph taken on the property. Parents of these good boys and girls also receive a magnet of the photo when the stay is over, Amy says.
Amy, who spent several years side hustling as a nature photographer, first came up with the idea when she saw a sign reading “Bub Club” at a craft store.
“I wanted to do a special photo for pet parents and thought this sign would be perfect for a wall display with our clients’ pictures,” she tells Rover. “Our sweet dog Emma crossed the rainbow bridge in May of this year, and her nickname was Bub. She was our first family dog, so we thought she should have the club named after her.”
A Second Act
Before becoming a Rover sitter, Amy did in-home childcare for over 20 years while raising her four kids.
“Once our last child left the nest, we decided to move from Colorado to Oklahoma to buy a little land and raise animals,” she says. “My husband found a great job, but I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.”
About a year after arriving in Oklahoma, the Johnstons adopted Memphis.
“Emma was getting older and we wanted her to share her doggy wisdom with a new friend while she was still able. Emma loved going for car rides, but we soon realized that Memphis did not. Memphis would get carsick every time we tried to go anywhere, which meant no trips to the dog park or training classes for socialization. It’s so important for her to interact with other dogs, so I decided to try pet sitting through Rover. If we couldn’t take Memphis to the dogs, we would bring the dogs to us!”
Amy has worked as a full-time Rover sitter since 2022 while Charles assists in the evenings and on weekends when he’s home from work. Since welcoming the first dog into their home last August, business has been steady. So far, all members of the Bub Club are canine; but Amy says felines are welcome guests and prospective Bubs, too.
Welcome to the Bub Club
“When I first started pet sitting, I wasn’t sure how many clients I’d be working with, so the first few photos on the Bub Club wall were printed fairly large,” Amy explains. “Once we welcomed more dogs, the wall began filling up quickly, and I switched the photos to a smaller size. That’s the only reason that some are larger than others. We love them all the same!”
Getting the Perfect Shot
When pets are visiting the farm, Amy takes plenty of pictures. Rover requires that sitters provide photos with each client update, but getting the money shot calls for a little extra work.
“We try to get the Bub Club photo outdoors at golden hour so that it can include a pretty Oklahoma sunset,” says Amy. “It involves a lot of silliness to get the perfect picture, and sometimes I take 100 to get just one amazing shot. Charlie typically has the dog on a leash, and we walk out to a beautiful pasture. I’m usually making crazy noises to get them to look my way.”
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When the photo shoot is over, the dogs are rewarded with lots of play and some treats. Amy sifts through photos, digitally edits the best one, creates a cute caption, and sends it off to an online photo lab for printing. Once an order arrives, the portrait is hung and the magnet is provided to the family upon pickup.
While the Bub Club boasts 25 members at present, Amy says she has no favorites when it comes to the animals. When it comes to the photos, however, “Butters the Basset Hound is a top contender,” she reveals. “I can’t resist those ears.”
Pet Sitting With Rover: A World of Bubs
Unsurprisingly, it’s not just the Johnstons who appreciate the Bub Club’s adorable factor. According to Amy, families love seeing their dog’s portrait and get a kick out of seeing other pets who have made the farm their home away from home, too.
“The best part about pet sitting with Rover is getting to spend time with sweet dogs,” Amy says. “I have had everything from puppies with endless energy to senior dogs who just need a good napping spot. Memphis is always a good host and seeing her become her best, most social self because of her Rover friends is priceless. I can’t imagine a better job.”
To learn more about or book services with Amy and Charles, see their sitter page, Amy & Charles J.
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