About Me: I love dogs and dogs love me. I have a strong connection with dogs and have always enjoyed their companionship, love and loyalty. I grew up caring for several wonderful dogs and in late 2016 said goodbye to my labradoodle, my loyal, loving, hilarious companion of 17 years. Since my guy left, I have filled the dog-love void by boarding some of my friends’ dogs at the beach. I love these visits and, I'm not sure, but I suspect the dogs enjoy them even more than I. Recently the 9-year-old precocious daughter of a a friend of the family studied my interaction on the floor with her family dog and asked me, "Andrew, do you speak dog?" In all modesty, I do indeed speak dog. What to Expect: From your dog's perspective, it's a luxury beachfront vacation. Because I'm around a lot, I provide lots of stimulation for my furry guests and they promptly forget they are supposed to miss mom and dad. The fun stuff includes: * Sitting on the front porch sofa and watching the beach life pass by on the strand. * Walking, sniffing, and socializing on the strand or greenbelt. * Playing dog games. I know the rules to chase, reverse-chase, paw-slap, tug, and find it. * I am friends with my neighbors' dogs, so play dates are easy to arrange. * Romps at the dog park or on the beach are common. * With your permission, we might even drive to the dog beach at Huntington. * I will provide your dog with conversation and eye contact as if he/she were my own. * I enjoy grilling steaks, burgers, chicken, and fish at sunset and love to share. * "Couch hounds" are not only allowed on all sofas and beds, but are encouraged. * Ocean breezes and fans are cooling, but I will turn on the AC if it gets too hot. * Because I am retired, I can offer to never leave your dog alone. My Relevant Formal Experience and Education: In addition to all the general experience I've gained by being caring for dogs for such a long time, I have a bit of formal experience and education as well. I took my labradoodle to a group puppy class over 12 weeks or so where we learned positive reinforcement training techniques. My guy was so smart that he skipped the next grade and went directly to Canine Good Citizen School, where we learned more commands and discipline, again using only positive reinforcement techniques. These classes were super fun and I highly recommend them. My guy lived a long, active life and suffered a few injuries along the way. I have experience medicating and nursing old dogs and have even performed the doggy Heimlich maneuver one evening when my labradoodle was choking. Beyond my training classes, I also took an Animal Behavior course in the psychology department during my undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University. I really love hosting dogs as I get to experience so many different breeds and personalities. I know your dog and I will have a blast.