Antonia A.
Sonoma, CA
Fenced Yard*Pampering &Nature Paths
Pet care experience
I’ve had dogs, cats and birds most of my life. Now that I am pet-free I find I miss their companionable company however I am concerned about the expense a full time pet might incur. The next best thing for me is occasional boarding and home and pet sitting. A few years back, I worked as a personal assistant for a local woman, helping manage her large estate including supervising home improvement projects and pet sitting for her two Pekingese whenever she went vacationing or cruising. I adored her dogs and enjoyed taking them on hiking paths, dog parks and neighborhood walks. I am basically a caretaker. I had a long career as a loving active nanny. I also had a table massage and water therapy business for three decades.. Rest assured while I'm with my pet pals, although they will miss you, they will also be pampered and played with, petted and walked often and loved temporarily. I am a bicyclist, swimmer and yogini and am high energy. Let me add that I have been on a lifelong learning journey to live my life with an open heart, an open mind and 100% integrity. Thank you for your consideration.
Reviews
Antonia was wonderful with our Stella. She got 2 walks a day and lots of love. This was our first time using Rover and made it a lot easier to get away without worrying about our puppy. She texted us with pics etc which was an added plus.
When I went on vacation I left my fur baby with Antonia and Shilo was (fur baby’s name) very content. Antonia would send pics to me often and I really appreciated that. Antonia is a fun loving, kind to all especially the beloved Animal Kingdom. You can rest assure your fur baby will be well taken care of and completely content in her care. I definitely will leave Shilo with her again.
I have known Antonia for almost 15 years. She was a nanny for my son for several years and also took care of him and our house. While at the time we did not have pets, Antonia is conscientious, reliable, thoughtful caretaker. I wholeheartedly recommend her to care for your pet and watch your home:
Antonia helped raise my two sons in Sonoma for over 6 years. She’s a trustworthy person with integrity and great character. There would be no issue with her watching your pets.
About Antonia A.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I am a very organized clean person who can guarantee your home will be as good as you left it the day I arrived. Although your pet's needs are my top priority, I will water plants indoor and outside to your specifications. I have also had some experiences with swimming pools making sure chemicals stay balanced and netting up leaf debris. As a water massage therapist with my own Watsu pool which is similar to a hot tub, I learned to balance the chemicals in hot tubs as well. I am very comfortable giving your pet whatever medications needed. And although I've never had to inject a dog, I do occasionally help give insulin shots to my young granddaughter with type 1 diabetes. When boarding your pet at my home, your cat or dog is welcome on furniture and my lap. Any questions? Let’s talk and see if we’re a good fit.
Information Antonia A. would like to know about your pet
I do like info on feeding, playing, sleeping, usual routine and walking preferences. I like to know basically what makes your pet happy and/or sad or angry. Please be honest about any problem behavior your pet might occasionally demonstrate and what's the best way you attempt to correct that behavior. For example, if your pet is aggressive toward other dogs or people, I like to know the best way you've dealt with such behavior. You know your pet best and I trust your advice. For example, lots of children ask if they can pet a dog I might be walking. If I know in advance that your dog is afraid or unused to children, I can explain kindly to that child and parent why they must say hello and admire my pet pal from a distance..
A typical day
I get up early always, usually between 5 and 6 am. I take my animal friends for a brief walk for bathroom relief, then feed them while I have a cup a tea. If you have a yard, we might play fetch before I shower and dress. Depending on the season and your pets preferences, I usually like to take a real walk between 8am and 10 am for at least 30 minutes. I usually have coffee and breakfast around 11:30am. Weather permitting, I like to sit outside with a manuscript or laptop and either write or edit, while your dog plays nearby. I have a fully fenced yard for when I board a pet and if you too have a fenced yard, I find most dogs enjoy sitting outside with me. I aways keep a water bowl for my pet pal and a water bottle for me outside. If you don't have a fenced yard, I'm happy to sit inside with my pet pals outside on a secured leash. Midday around 2 or 3 we'll go for another walk, length depending on your pets age and preferences. Then home. I don't watch much TV but I do like to play music on my phone and mini speaker. I might do a little yoga and writing in the afternoon and or evening. I eat around 6 and would feed my pet pal a second time if a second meal is preferred for them. I never offer them table scraps but I will cook up any meet you like to add to their kibble. Then before retiring I like to go for another walk, 10-30 minutes depending on the pet and the sunlight. If it's dark, we might just have a brief relief walk in the neighborhood. I always bring poo bags for walks. My pet pals are welcome to sleep wherever they are used to sleeping. I like to lie in bed and read starting around 9 or 10pm. Then we sleep and do it all again.
Services
Antonia can watch in your home
Availability
I am a published writer and see my boarding pets and home and pet sitting as a way to be mostly alone (from people) and have fun with other people's beloved pets. I take lots of healthy walks with my pet pals while having the privilege to be away from the distractions and responsibilities of my own home. House and pet sitting in the past has always allowed me greater freedom to work on my various writing projects while enjoying the company of dogs and or cats, and on one occasion an interesting large parrot. I love early morning, mid afternoon (heat permitting) and evening walks in nature, dog parks and neighborhoods. If your dog wants lots of petting or to fetch a ball for hours, I'm game. For cats, I take my cue from them. Some like cuddling and petting, some, it seems like to initiate the petting and the playing. I like a clean orderly space and you will always return to a home that is at least as clean and orderly as you left it.
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About Antonia A.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I am a very organized clean person who can guarantee your home will be as good as you left it the day I arrived. Although your pet's needs are my top priority, I will water plants indoor and outside to your specifications. I have also had some experiences with swimming pools making sure chemicals stay balanced and netting up leaf debris. As a water massage therapist with my own Watsu pool which is similar to a hot tub, I learned to balance the chemicals in hot tubs as well. I am very comfortable giving your pet whatever medications needed. And although I've never had to inject a dog, I do occasionally help give insulin shots to my young granddaughter with type 1 diabetes. When boarding your pet at my home, your cat or dog is welcome on furniture and my lap. Any questions? Let’s talk and see if we’re a good fit.
Information Antonia A. would like to know about your pet
I do like info on feeding, playing, sleeping, usual routine and walking preferences. I like to know basically what makes your pet happy and/or sad or angry. Please be honest about any problem behavior your pet might occasionally demonstrate and what's the best way you attempt to correct that behavior. For example, if your pet is aggressive toward other dogs or people, I like to know the best way you've dealt with such behavior. You know your pet best and I trust your advice. For example, lots of children ask if they can pet a dog I might be walking. If I know in advance that your dog is afraid or unused to children, I can explain kindly to that child and parent why they must say hello and admire my pet pal from a distance..
A typical day
I get up early always, usually between 5 and 6 am. I take my animal friends for a brief walk for bathroom relief, then feed them while I have a cup a tea. If you have a yard, we might play fetch before I shower and dress. Depending on the season and your pets preferences, I usually like to take a real walk between 8am and 10 am for at least 30 minutes. I usually have coffee and breakfast around 11:30am. Weather permitting, I like to sit outside with a manuscript or laptop and either write or edit, while your dog plays nearby. I have a fully fenced yard for when I board a pet and if you too have a fenced yard, I find most dogs enjoy sitting outside with me. I aways keep a water bowl for my pet pal and a water bottle for me outside. If you don't have a fenced yard, I'm happy to sit inside with my pet pals outside on a secured leash. Midday around 2 or 3 we'll go for another walk, length depending on your pets age and preferences. Then home. I don't watch much TV but I do like to play music on my phone and mini speaker. I might do a little yoga and writing in the afternoon and or evening. I eat around 6 and would feed my pet pal a second time if a second meal is preferred for them. I never offer them table scraps but I will cook up any meet you like to add to their kibble. Then before retiring I like to go for another walk, 10-30 minutes depending on the pet and the sunlight. If it's dark, we might just have a brief relief walk in the neighborhood. I always bring poo bags for walks. My pet pals are welcome to sleep wherever they are used to sleeping. I like to lie in bed and read starting around 9 or 10pm. Then we sleep and do it all again.
Location
Sonoma, CA
Antonia A.
Sonoma, CA