Dog Sitting Marlborough

About: I grew up with three dogs, have dog-sat for neighbors, and lived with a cat that I helped care for. I am very energetic and I have cared for puppies and both large and small dogs. I have a full time job with some flexibility, so I am free most evenings/nights and all of Saturday. My Sunday availability is in the morning to mid-day. I am happy to play with and entertain pets, and follow your instructions on feeding, walks, and house rules. I have had an anxious dog, so I want to make sure your pet is comfortable.

About: Welcome to Happy Pals located in convenient Marlboro, MA. We have been caring for dogs for over 27 years. Brady is the resident pet. He is an adorable 15 year old Cocker Spaniel – yes – named after Tom. We have had Brady since he was a puppy. Brady is a sweet and friendly dog so as long as guest(s) can hang out with him. Our home has a large, beautiful, private backyard that is perfect for your pups to play in. Each day stay for your pal includes two walks around our neighborhood as well as unlimited indoor/outdoor playtime. The inside area of our home has a large, open concept with plenty of room to walk around and play. During the dog days of summer, our home is cool as we have central air conditioning. If your fur-baby boards over the weekend, we will also include a trip to the local park! We are able to supervise your pups 24x7. We are able to provide transportation to a vet for any emergency situations. We have a great relationship with Brady’s veterinary clinic. Our home also is not far from emergency services at Tufts University in Grafton. Elaine has been certified in CPR and pet first aid in the past and plans to retake this course and become recertified. We will provide you with as many updates/pictures of your friend’s stay as you would like to receive. We can't wait to meet you and your fur-babies! Benefits of staying with Happy Pals: •We always strive to pamper your friend. Safety is top priority. •Elaine and her husband Ken work closely together as a team during all visits. An advantage of staying with Happy Pals is that there are two adults always caring for your pet. If one has something unexpected come up, the other is always right there. If an unexpected emergency came up with both of us, we have a backup plan if the guest doesn't have an emergency contact. We have two different family members (both dog lovers and owners) who are nearby and have volunteered to help out if there were any unexpected emergencies with the caregivers. Both are home full time enjoying retirement and taking care of family. •If you would like your fur-baby to go on field trips, we can discuss the possibility of going to local dog friendly parks such as Callahan State Park, Great Brook, or Gates Pond. Safety is always top priority so we can see if this would work well during a particular visit. •Traditional boarding facilities charge extra fees for play time. Non-stop play times as well as walks are always included. •Bottled water and Milk Bone treats are always available. •We are very mindful of food allergies and food sensitivities. If your pet requires a special diet, we are happy to cook any special meals. •If help is needed transporting the guest to our home for a stay, we can help with pick ups and drop-offs. •Location is convenient to major routes (Rts. 495, 20, 30). •We have a lot of room. If you feel as though your pal may need some private or alone time, we have a lot of room for he/she to stay completely separate if there may be another guest at the same time. •Guests can sleep where they are most comfortable (living room, bedroom, etc.). •We try to keep the number of guests at a time low to give each guest the most attention possible. We carefully consider the mix of guests if there will be some overlap. We always feel bad if we cannot accommodate a guest on a particular date due to numbers but we feel that it is important to keep numbers low for all guests to be happy and safe. If you know particular dates ahead of time, please let us know even if a formal reservation request isn't sent right away so that we can keep the dates in mind while scheduling. Summertime (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and major holidays are the busiest. •If your pet has a scheduled grooming or vet appointment during their stay in a nearby town, we can make sure that they get there. •Updates and pictures are sent to you of your friend throughout the visit. Also, please feel free to call or e-mail anytime to check on them. •Flexibility in drop-off and pickup times. You are able to drop-off and pickup your pet at times when traditional boarding places are closed. Please note: if our calendar says "booked" for particular dates that you are interested in, please still contact us with a general inquiry e-mail. It is possible that a day that says "booked" could also be a day that another guest is leaving. We have enough room to accept several dogs; however, it is always our goal to have no more than 1-2 guests at a time to ensure that every guest receives a lot of individual attention. More dogs are listed in the profile to have flexibility with the calendar since some guests leave and come on the same day. Confirmation at booking: Up-to-Date vaccinations; Flea/tick preventive treatment; Negative fecal exam. Please note: now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted, there has been a larger volume of requests than usual for summer stays. I apologize ahead of time if there is a small delay in returning your message. We are usually able to return a message within an hour or two but over the summer it will definitely be within 24 hours at the most. If you need to reach out regarding a date coming up quickly, please feel free to call me directly using the Rover # showing in the profile. The calendar may look open regarding dates near 4th of July right now because we are in the process of finalizing holiday reservations but the days right around the holiday are now busy with furry guests. If we aren't able to help out on specific dates this summer due to higher volume of requests, we would love to meet you in the future and help out with a future date. Thanks. Elaine, Ken, and Brady (woof) I am home the majority of the time. We are able to follow your pet's schedule exactly the way it is at home. We like to review the schedule at a Meet and Greet - feedings, exercise, sleeping. We have safety gates near main doorways. We do not crate guests unless asked to by the guest. We take leashed walks. We are home the majority of the time.

About: Hi My name is Julie & I’ve been an animal lover all my life. I’ve always had dogs since childhood and now am a proud dog mom to an adorable 10 year old rescue mix. He happily stays with family while I pamper and care for your pet in the comfort of their home environment. I recently decided to turn my passion for animals into a career and would be honored to be trusted to care for your fur baby as if they were my own. Dogs and cats seem to gravitate naturally towards me, I’m able to win over even the shyest pets and love doing so. I am currently working part-time with a highly flexible schedule, allowing me ample time to give your furry friend the love and attention they deserve. As a massage therapist, I bring a gentle touch to my pet care, ensuring your pup receives plenty of petting, belly rubs, and ear scratches—if they enjoy that kind of affection. I prioritize their comfort and well-being, adjusting my daily routine to meet the specific needs of your pet. Whether it's taking them for long, leisurely walks or adhering to a strict feeding schedule, I am dedicated to providing the best care. Additionally, I am experienced in administering medications, ensuring that your pet’s health is always in good hands. Your pup will feel pampered and loved while you are away!

“Very prompt, communicative, caring for our pet and responsible. Difficult to find someone so reliable.”

Ashrith M.

About: I work as a part time veterinary technician, very confident in giving medications. Will stay at your home with your pets to help them be as comfortable as possible and stay on routine while their owners are away. Love taking them for walks and hikes and make sure we have plenty of play time together! I would love to meet your fur-babies and help you be able to relax and enjoy your time away. I send updates and pictures so owners know their babies are enjoying their time too! I currently work part time as a veterinary technician, my shifts are between 5-7 hours Monday through Friday. Can do potty breaks during the longer shifts if needed. I stay in your house with your pets so they are comfortable in their own environment and follow their regular routine as much as possible. Plenty of time for exercise and play!

“Jacqueline was kind, communicative and thorough. She brought wet food to my cat upstairs when she was too nervous to come out to make sure she ate, and let me know the time she gave my cat her medicine so I knew the timing for the next dose (super helpful).”

Amanda K.

“Lucy did an amazing job! She did exactly what we needed her to do, take care of our puppies on our wedding day. Very communicative and the dogs seemed to love her.”

audrey o.

“Susan was so kind to help me out last minute and walk pearl for an hour today! Communication was quick and it looks like pearl had a lot of fun!”

Carly M.

About: I’ve had cats and dogs since I was born. Caring for my furry family has been a part of my life ever since. I helped care for my dogs when they got up there in age. I’m familiar with medicating my own pets and can surely learn your routine too. I’m currently home for school for the summer so I have most days completely free. I’m also one of the main carers for my two furry siblings while I’m home. I’m used to giving pills even if the pet won’t take a pill pocket (my cat won’t either). Rain or shine I’ll take your pet on a walk. Just let me know where the leashes are!

“Sarah was great with our cat Cedar. She took good care of our timid cat and followed our directions perfectly. She is super nice and friendly, as well. Will definitely book with her again!”

Majestia P.

“Danya did a wonderful job taking care of our precious cats and treated them like her own! She was highly responsible, responsive, and went above and beyond our expectations and what we asked of her. She was absolutely wonderful and we will definitely be booking her for future vacations!”

Aaron M.

“Georgina was amazing with our cat during our vacation. She made sure to customize her time with our cat's needs. I would gladly let her watch our cat anytime.”

Karen M.

About: I have taken care of animals my whole life and love animals more than anything! I am comfortable with dogs and cats of all sizes and can even help take care of your other small pets if needed. I have 10 years of experience working with/training dogs and would love to help you out with your furry friends! I currently have open availability! I have a few dogs who have long standing daily spots in my schedule but there is still plenty of time for me to help out with your fur babies! I will be giving your pets my undivided attention the entire time they are in my care. I never walk multiple dogs together (unless they are from the same household) and only let them off leash in a well secured fenced in area. The rest is up to you, let me know what you are comfortable with and I will happily abide.

“Great experience with this great sitter! Sam is conscientious, reliable, and fellow cat owners, take note: the first pet sitter I've ever had that actually cleaned up my cat's hairball instead of leaving it for me to come home to. Highly recommended!”

Callie M.

“Carlos once again did a fantastic job caring for our senior cats. He kept us up to date and ensured our cats had their medicine, special diet, and other needs met. He also took care of mail and packages. We will definitely use Carlos the next time we are away!”

Jeff H.

“Caroline was a very caring and reliable pet sitter!”

Jennifer L.

About: I have a lot of hands-on experience caring for dogs, especially high-energy breeds. I have my own dog, Roo, who is a Vizsla, so I’m very used to active dogs that need plenty of exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Because of this, I’m comfortable with long walks, runs, play sessions, and keeping dogs engaged so they’re happy and tired by the end of the day. I’m attentive to each dog’s individual personality and needs. Whether your dog loves adventures outside, structured walks, or just wants companionship and attention, I’m happy to adapt to what makes them most comfortable. I’m also used to maintaining routines with feeding, exercise, and basic commands to keep dogs feeling secure and cared for. What sets me apart is that I genuinely enjoy spending time with dogs and understand the responsibility that comes with caring for someone else’s pet. I treat every dog like my own and make sure they feel safe, exercised, and loved while you’re away. I am currently home for March break from school, so I am looking to spend the time helping out! I can make myself free all times of the day, any day of the week, as long as you let me know in advance! Safety and trust are my top priorities when caring for pets. I make sure to follow each dog’s normal routine as closely as possible, including feeding schedules, exercise, and any specific instructions from the owner. Keeping a dog’s routine consistent helps them feel comfortable and secure while their owner is away. When I’m in a client’s home, I treat the space with respect and make sure the environment stays calm, safe, and clean for the pet. I pay close attention during walks, keep dogs securely leashed when outside, and always monitor their behavior to make sure they’re safe and comfortable. Because I have my own dog, Roo, a Vizsla, I’m very familiar with staying attentive to a dog’s needs, energy levels, and safety both indoors and outdoors. I also believe communication is important, so I’m happy to send updates and photos so owners know their pet is happy and well cared for.

“Gabi was great with our cat and I would not hesitate to hire her to care for Mabel again. She was communicative, flexible, and gave me thorough updates everyday. I felt totally at ease while Mabel was under her care!”

Sammi D.

“My dog was so happy when I got home. Loved Sky's assistants (twin daughters) . My cat was well cared for too. She provided a mid day visit while I was gone for 3 days. Sent pics. Recommend”

Lisa R.

“Alexandria did a wonderful job of getting to know and care for a smart and sassy Chihuahua Amanda. She showed great affection for Amanda and I am certain she has that ability to get to do the same for most any dog out there. You will very happy with Alexandria. I almost think Amanda misses Alexandria ore than me, but that’s just fine. It demonstrates Alexandria commitment to Amanda.”

Jackie T.