Benjamin M.
Arlington, MA
Your dogs vacation home
Pet care experience
My name is Benjamin Mitchell and I am a 27 year old dog enthusiast. A few years ago my life changed for the better when my sister adopted her dog, Rufio. I had no idea that little 7 pound Chiweenie (Chihuahua/Dachshund, that prior to her picking him up, I was hard-pressed to say something that small was a dog!) was going to change the way I operate my own life. However, soon Rufio became the focal point in my house. I found myself reading Puppies for Dummies and then eventually owning the entire Cesar Millan library. Shortly after Rufio had arrived I started making plans to get my own dog, and obviously Rufio needed a friend! That is where my Shiba Inu, Link, enters the story. Now I had two dogs to care for and I realized just how much I loved to care for these animals. I was as excited as they were to get up and go for our morning walk before breakfast. I would browse pet sites online all day because obviously they needed every single new toy out there! My new hobby was fast becoming my new obsession. The eagerness with which I approached any task with the dogs led me to try and find a way to work with dogs in my everyday life. I realized my opportunity to get into the business after dog sitting for my friend's 95 pound Doberman Pinscher. I was apprehensive to care for such a large powerful animal at first, but I grew to love him and thus started advertising on Craigslist and through word of mouth I would sit pets if anyone needed. My clientele slowly started to grow, and I started to take this business opportunity more serious. Since that time I have added walking, medication administration, day-trip and puppy potty-training packages as well as my newest pack member, a Weimaraner named Aurora. I am a full-time dog walker and sitter, therefore I will be able to provide your dog with my full attention should you need my services. This has been my occupation for over three years now, and I love it more and more everyday. Why I love dog sitting I have been a dog lover since I can remember. My family never had the money to take care of dogs when I was younger so I never had one, but some of my fondest childhood memories are of wrestling with my cousins Rottweiler. My love for dogs was greatly intensified when my sister adopted her dog, a Chiweenie (Chihuahua Dachshund). At this point I started reading anything to do with training dogs and how to properly take care of them. I loved taking care of her dog so much I decided I needed to get one for myself, and because you know her dog needed a friend. As soon as I had the funds to properly take care of a dog I got my Shiba Inu, Link, when I was 22 years old. He is now a five years old and, he is the focal point of my life along with his sister, a Weimaraner named Aurora that is a year and a half younger. I love to play with, walk and hang out with the dogs, I really would not rather be doing anything else than playing with my dogs and I hope some day I can play with your dogs as well. Any questions about my history with the dogs or anything please feel free to ask, I wont be offended by any questions to do with the dogs or my personal life. About my yard I have a fairly large, fenced in, backyard. By no means would I say I have "land" for my dogs to roam but as far as in the city goes my backyard is larger than most. I have had 4 large breed dogs and 2 small breed dogs running around playing in my yard and there was still PLENTY of space. It is all flat (except for the holes the dogs have dug and I subsequently twist my ankles in) with two small trees and neighbors on all sides. My experience administering medication I am comfortable administering medication as long as I have the proper instructions. I have dealt with a surprising amount of problems in my short time as a dog caregiver and have become comfortable dealing with problems that arise from our dogs everyday curiosity and playfulness. I have a very large first aid kit, including a pill gun if necessary for administering suppositories.
Reviews
Tanner had another great stay with Ben! Ben is always very accommodating with pick up and drop off times and Tanner is always happy to see Ben!
Great stay overall. The backyard was lovely, Fitz clearly had a blast. He was very tired out. Will definitely be using Benjamin again!
I have used Ben's dog walking services on numerous occasions, most recently for the last two weeks while I was out of town. He is very pleasant, reliable and flexible in meeting our requests. Maisy, our energetic (and slightly anxious) setter loves him and she doesn't love everybody!! Ben is great and I would recommend him highly!
Ben is excellent-he responds quickly to questions via text, is willing to accommodate my fluctuating schedule, and is great with dogs!
About Benjamin M.
Communication
Skills
Home
Information Benjamin M. would like to know about your pet
I love dogs of all sizes, shapes and breeds. I will obviously have some questions but no overarching concerns.
A typical day
Here's where we'll take our walks I love to walk my dogs on the Minuteman trail in Arlington/Cambridge/Lexington. I live directly off of Massachusetts avenue and as such am less than .25 miles from an entrance to the trail. On top of that Spy Pond is right atop my street. My Shiba wont touch the water but all the other dogs have loved it, and with your permission I will bring the dog to the water (weather permitting). I also like to bring my dogs to Menotomy Rocks Park in Arlington, MA for a little bit of a hike, there is also a small pond there for the dogs to play in. Finally I also like to frequent the area dog park at Thorndike. Your dog's sleeping arrangement All of the dogs in my house sleep in the bedroom with me, if you prefer your dog to be crated and kept out of the bedroom I will oblige, but in general the dogs sleep in my room. I have a large wire crate with a thick dog bed in it as well as a Yogibo (extremely large bean bag chair) that my dogs love to lounge on, in my bedroom. Time I'll spend with your dog I am a full time walker and sitter nowadays so your dog will either be walking with me all day or so tired and passed out back at my place with my own dogs. Whatever their activity level we can make their stay work. Extra house-sitting services I also don't mind taking care of in home plants, and other animals (fish, hamsters, rabbits, etc.) whilst you are away.
Services
Benjamin can host
Benjamin can watch in your home
About Benjamin M.
Communication
Skills
Home
Information Benjamin M. would like to know about your pet
I love dogs of all sizes, shapes and breeds. I will obviously have some questions but no overarching concerns.
A typical day
Here's where we'll take our walks I love to walk my dogs on the Minuteman trail in Arlington/Cambridge/Lexington. I live directly off of Massachusetts avenue and as such am less than .25 miles from an entrance to the trail. On top of that Spy Pond is right atop my street. My Shiba wont touch the water but all the other dogs have loved it, and with your permission I will bring the dog to the water (weather permitting). I also like to bring my dogs to Menotomy Rocks Park in Arlington, MA for a little bit of a hike, there is also a small pond there for the dogs to play in. Finally I also like to frequent the area dog park at Thorndike. Your dog's sleeping arrangement All of the dogs in my house sleep in the bedroom with me, if you prefer your dog to be crated and kept out of the bedroom I will oblige, but in general the dogs sleep in my room. I have a large wire crate with a thick dog bed in it as well as a Yogibo (extremely large bean bag chair) that my dogs love to lounge on, in my bedroom. Time I'll spend with your dog I am a full time walker and sitter nowadays so your dog will either be walking with me all day or so tired and passed out back at my place with my own dogs. Whatever their activity level we can make their stay work. Extra house-sitting services I also don't mind taking care of in home plants, and other animals (fish, hamsters, rabbits, etc.) whilst you are away.
Location
Arlington, MA
Pets
Benjamin M.
Arlington, MA