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Barbara M.

South Lawndale, Chicago, IL

5.0 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
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Services

Barbara can host

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
Spayed and neutered dogs only
No females in heat
Takes only 1 client at a time

Barbara can care for

0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs

Availability

I work from home full-time, which means your furry little one will get plenty of attention throughout the day. I have the flexibility to take them on walks, enjoy playtime like fetch or tug-of-war, and give them the love and companionship they need—whether it’s a quick potty break or a full day of care.

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Boarding Cancellation Policy:

About Barbara M.

Communication

5 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in under an hour
80% bookings with photo updates

Skills

10 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

Whether I’m caring for your pet in my home or yours, their safety and comfort are my top priorities. I follow any instructions you provide closely—feeding schedules, medications, preferred routines, and behavior notes are all part of the care plan. I also keep your pet's environment calm, clean, and cozy, just like you'd want it to be. In my home, I care for only one household’s pets at a time to make sure your dog gets plenty of one-on-one attention. I supervise all outdoor time and never allow off-leash play unless in a securely fenced area. I also have Pet Sitter Insurance for added peace of mind. If I’m visiting your home, I treat your space with the same respect and care I give your pet—double-checking doors, cleaning up, and keeping things tidy and secure. And if anything seems off while you're away, I’ll keep you informed right away.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has 1 dog
No children present
Dogs allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 2-4 hours

Information Barbara M. would like to know about your pet

1. Does your dog know any obedience commands? 2. Is your dog good with other dogs? 3. What is your dog’s favorite game to play? 4. Dietary restrictions? a. I cook home-cooked meals for Chewy, and I know it can comfort other dogs too. Are there any home-cooked meals your pups can eat? 5. Are there any tendencies your pup exhibit when on walks? (for example, Does your dog shows any sign of aggression? or When feeding around other dogs or being overprotective around his toys?)

A typical day

Spacious Home and Yard: Chewy and I live in a single-family home with a private fenced yard in; your pup will have a lot of space to play and rest, whether indoor or outdoor. I'll never put a dog into a crate. Tons of Toys to Play with: Chewy is subscribed to a monthly membership, a new dog toy collection. It will be endless fun. Did you say it was your Doggy's birthday?: Tell us if your doggy birthday is taking place when they stay with us. We have a special Dog Birthday Surprise for our Birthday pooches. Missing your pup while you are gone?: I got you covered. I will be happy to send you text photos of your pup having fun with us daily.

Location

Chicago, IL

Barbara M.'s Neighborhood

Pets

The sitter DogMom &the MegaSaga pup

Pet care experience

Hola! I’m Barbara—an economic justice advocate, Red Cross volunteer, and total bonafide Dog Mom. I grew up surrounded by German Shepherds, but as an adult, I fell in love with the little ones—starting with my very first Shih Tzu, who looked more like an Ewok than a dire wolf! For over 20 years, I’ve been the go-to pet sitter for neighbors, friends, and family. I’ve walked and cared for cats and dogs of all ages and sizes, from playful puppies to seniors needing a little extra TLC. In 2020, my life changed when I adopted a special-needs Shih Tzu named Chewy, who has a rare condition called Megaesophagus and eats upright in a “Bailey chair.” Chewy’s thriving journey has been such a gift—and we’ve shared it with a supportive community through his Instagram Now that Chewy is doing great, we’ve been hosting more furry friends and officially joined Rover to offer personalized, loving care to other pets—especially small to medium dogs. I work remotely, so I’m home most of the day and love having a companion to walk, cuddle, and care for. ✅ We only care for one household’s pets at a time—so your dog(s) will get all the attention ✅ Calm, flexible, and experienced with both healthy pets and those with medical or mobility needs ✅ Fully covered with Pet Sitter Insurance for your peace of mind ✅ Let’s set up a Meet & Greet to see if we’re the right fit! Whether you’re going out of town or just need a reliable sitter, Chewy and I are ready to make your dog feel right at home.

Reviews

Nelly T.
Boarding • May 18, 2026
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Barbara is an absolutely wonderful host! I truly cannot thank her enough for the incredible care she provided to Maeve during boarding. She was extremely detail-oriented, followed every instruction thoughtfully, and cared for Maeve as if she were her own. Most importantly, she made Maeve feel comfortable, safe, and loved throughout her stay. I highly recommend Barbara to anyone looking for doggy services and would absolutely book with her again in the future! Maeve and Chewy had such a wonderful time together, and the detailed updates and photos throughout the stay brought me so much happiness and peace of mind. It was clear to see just how much Maeve genuinely enjoyed her time there.

Ryan N.
Boarding • Feb 23, 2026
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We love Barbara and Chewy!! So incredibly thoughtful, communicative, and sweet! We truly trust her with our dog, and can't say enough good things about how amazing she is! Highly recommended!

Claire S.
Boarding • Jan 02, 2026
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Took very good care of my dog, Hobbes, over a somewhat longer period (12 days). He seemed happy to be staying with Barbara and I got many photos of him out and about. Barbara also did a great job keeping up with some special care he needed, and I'd be happy to book with her again!

Michelle W.
Boarding • Sep 20, 2025
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Once again, Barbara is awesome! She takes great care of our senior dog and we highly recommend her.

About Barbara M.

Communication

5 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in under an hour
80% bookings with photo updates

Skills

10 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

Whether I’m caring for your pet in my home or yours, their safety and comfort are my top priorities. I follow any instructions you provide closely—feeding schedules, medications, preferred routines, and behavior notes are all part of the care plan. I also keep your pet's environment calm, clean, and cozy, just like you'd want it to be. In my home, I care for only one household’s pets at a time to make sure your dog gets plenty of one-on-one attention. I supervise all outdoor time and never allow off-leash play unless in a securely fenced area. I also have Pet Sitter Insurance for added peace of mind. If I’m visiting your home, I treat your space with the same respect and care I give your pet—double-checking doors, cleaning up, and keeping things tidy and secure. And if anything seems off while you're away, I’ll keep you informed right away.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has 1 dog
No children present
Dogs allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 2-4 hours

Information Barbara M. would like to know about your pet

1. Does your dog know any obedience commands? 2. Is your dog good with other dogs? 3. What is your dog’s favorite game to play? 4. Dietary restrictions? a. I cook home-cooked meals for Chewy, and I know it can comfort other dogs too. Are there any home-cooked meals your pups can eat? 5. Are there any tendencies your pup exhibit when on walks? (for example, Does your dog shows any sign of aggression? or When feeding around other dogs or being overprotective around his toys?)

A typical day

Spacious Home and Yard: Chewy and I live in a single-family home with a private fenced yard in; your pup will have a lot of space to play and rest, whether indoor or outdoor. I'll never put a dog into a crate. Tons of Toys to Play with: Chewy is subscribed to a monthly membership, a new dog toy collection. It will be endless fun. Did you say it was your Doggy's birthday?: Tell us if your doggy birthday is taking place when they stay with us. We have a special Dog Birthday Surprise for our Birthday pooches. Missing your pup while you are gone?: I got you covered. I will be happy to send you text photos of your pup having fun with us daily.

Each sitter joining Rover needs to pass a background check. And by booking on Rover, you can get photo & message updates, 24/7 support, and reimbursement for eligible vet care.
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Verified Enhanced Background Check
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Verified Enhanced Background Check

Barbara M.

South Lawndale, Chicago, IL

5.0 out of 5 stars
26 reviews