I grew up in Belgium with cats, chickens, and goats as well as with horses and four dogs, and currently live with two wonderful dogs - an older mellow lab who has helped me raise my two kids who are now teenagers and a busy GSP. My pointer and I are avid nature lovers and hikers and can walk for up to ten miles at a time together. I took basic obedience classes with both of my dogs when they were younger and learned even more while working with a private trainer and my pointer. Even though I am not a dog trainer at all, I will definitely encourage basic good habits when taking care of your dog. I took a class in dog management when I volunteered for a non profit that trains service dogs and led group hikes for people and their dogs in Marin County for many years. Years ago, despite being busy as a mother and part-time teacher/advisor (I have degrees in pedagogy, languages, and literature and have worked in elementary through collegiate education for twenty-five years), I decided to attend a dog CPR class as well as pack management classes and became certified as a dog walker and sitter with dog*tec. I have worked on Rover as well as for myself over the years (you can find my older site Chez Anne Pet Sitting online). I have my own insurance and am a caring, curious, reliable, thoughtful, and trustworthy person. In your absence, I will work hard to make your dogs as happy as they can be, by combining some of the things that canines tend to love the most: comfort, positive attention and guidance, fun outings, and a stable pack/another family to become a part of. If you want to avoid impersonal and overcrowded kennels and would like your dog to feel stimulated while also truly cared for while you are away, you have found the right place! Though my pointer is very active and I am happy to care for energetic dogs, I also very much enjoy taking care of older and special needs dogs. I am a very attentive and caring sitter, and every dog (or cat) will be cherished while in my care!