Heyhey! Thanks for checking out my profile, keep scrolling for more about me and my experience with a variety of breeds :) For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a pet in my life. I grew up with a Shih-Tzu-Poodle mix named Rosie, and later, my family adopted a pug, Gypsy, who we had the joy of teaching how to be a dog. At 10 years old, Gypsy required significant healthcare. I took on the responsibilities of feeding her, walking her throughout the day, and addressing her medical needs. On occasion, she had to wear a diaper due to incontinence, required medicated baths once (sometimes twice) a day for chronic yeast infections, and needed daily ear and face fold cleanings—all of which I managed before and after high school, until they both passed away of old age. During COVID, my mom adopted an Australian Shepherd, whom I helped train. I took on the night shifts, waking up almost every hour to take her outside to potty. I also leash-trained and crate-trained her and set a goal of teaching her to use communication buttons. Eventually, I left for university and started working as a pet sitter, caring for people’s pets in and around Peterborough, ON. I had the pleasure of walking dogs and checking on cats before and after my classes. The pets had the time of their lives during our visits—running through parks and forests, enjoying all the sniffs, stopping for pats and sticks, sometimes meeting other dogs (depending on their reactivity), and fulfilling any special requests from their owners. Occasionally, a dog wouldn’t want to go on a walk, and that was fine too. We’d snuggle and play indoors, ensuring they burned off energy while taking occasional potty breaks to do their business. For me, it was pure joy. I got to spend my free time opening doors to greet the most excited pet faces, offering snuggles, wrestling with harnesses, and going on big adventures—all while clearing my mind of daily stresses. I also occasionally dog-sat, staying in clients’ homes to care for their pets. I continued their feeding, walking, and medication routines while also handling light housework, always ensuring the home was cleaner than when they left it. One memorable experience was pet-sitting for the Dean of the Forensics Department. He had two dogs, some chickens, and two roosters. Each day, I would let the chickens and roosters out of their pen to graze the property, take the dogs on long forest walks, and return to play frisbee in the yard. Afterward, I’d give the dogs their frozen bones to enjoy while I watered the owner’s garden. I spent the rest of the day soaking in the peaceful surroundings and playing around with the dogs, before gathering the chickens back into their pen for the evening. Some breeds I have had the pleasure of caring for: Dachshund, Shih-Tzu, Havanese, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Bull Dogs, Beagles, Maltese, Bichon, Corgi, Frenchie, Pug, Goldendoodle and Doodle breeds, Poodle, Saint Bernard, Bernese Mountain Dog, Weimaraner, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Nova Scotia Duck Toller, Potcake, Husky, Newfoundlanders, and a variety of mixed breeds. Other pet care: Reticulated Python, Ball Python, Rabbits, Rats, Hamsters, Guinea Pig, Roosters, Hens, Budgies, and fish.