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I am lucky enough to have lived every single day of my life with pets of some variety–dogs, cats, hamsters, and betta fish, primarily. Some were family pets, but most have been my own. I was seven years old when my parents allowed me my first pet of my very own (Fluffernutter, a brown-and-white banded Syrian hamster), and I still remember spending months poring over library books and researching everything I could about hamster care before bringing her home. Currently, I have one cat (Sushi, light of my life), but she’s only an only child because I don’t yet have the financial means to be the maniacal menagerist of my dreams. Meeting and loving and taking care of animals has always been the brightest part of my life; I genuinely cannot imagine a life without them, and I hope I never have to. Although this is my first time formally offering pet-sitting services, I’ve been caring for others’ pets for years, starting around age twelve. I’ve pet-sat for friends and neighbors, taking care of their dogs, cats, horses, and fish. My responsibilities have included everything from feeding and administering medication (when needed) to walks, cleanup, and making sure each pet gets plenty of attention and companionship. While most of my experience is with dogs, cats, horses, and fish, I love animals of all kinds and would be happy to care for most any critter. I spent approximately a year as a Pet Care Specialist at PetSmart, where my primary responsibilities included caring for the store’s fish and reptiles. It was a job I absolutely loved, and I still miss all of the little critters I looked after. I’ve also had a few hamsters over the years, and a close friend of mine had mice, rats, and snakes, all of which I spent a fair amount of time interacting with. Even when I don’t have experience with a specific animal, I always take the time to research their needs and follow all care instructions closely to ensure they’re well looked-after. When it comes to reptiles, I’m comfortable with general care, though I’m not able to provide feeder animals larger than insects. When it comes to dogs specifically, I have the most experience with medium and large pups and am comfortable caring for dogs of most sizes. However, I am not able to sit for any giant breeds. While I love them dearly (and have spent a great deal of time around Newfoundlands in particular), I want to ensure I can safely and confidently handle any situation that may arise. One of my favorite parts of pet-sitting is getting to know each animal as an individual. Every pet has their own personality, preferences, and quirks, and I make it a priority to learn those so I can care for them beyond just the basics. Whether it’s discovering their favorite toy, their ideal walking pace, their go-to nap spot, or how they like to be social (full cuddle mode or quiet companionship), I want your pet to feel understood and comfortable. I also have experience caring for shy and anxious pets. I understand that building trust can take time, patience, and consistency, and I’m more than happy to meet animals at their pace. Even confident pets can feel unsettled when their person is away, so creating a calm, safe, and reassuring environment is always a top priority for me. Above all, I treat every pet in my care the way I treat my own—with attentiveness, respect, and a lot of love. My goal is not just to meet your pet’s physical needs, but to make sure they feel safe, happy, and cared for while you’re away. I know how important that peace of mind is, and I’d love to provide that for you. A quick snapshot of my care style: • Experienced with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, fish, and small pets • Patient and gentle with shy or anxious pets • Take the time to get to know each pet’s personality and preferences • Attentive, detail-oriented, and happy to follow specific routines and care instructions • Always willing to learn and provide thoughtful care for new types of pets • Not able to sit for giant dog breeds • For reptiles, comfortable with general care but unable to provide feeder animals larger than insects