I’ve had animals in my life for as long as I can remember, so caring for them has always been second nature to me. I grew up with both cats and dogs, and for some reason in my teens, our household animals started latching onto me one at a time, over anyone else in the house. My childhood cat, Bernice, was actually the same age as me! She essentially became “my” cat when we were 15 and shared a converted attic space attached to my bedroom. I was put in charge of all things Bernice, including making sure she had her own comfortable space where she could admire our dogs from a distance, as she mostly preferred. Around the same age, I also started helping care for my “god dog,” and my mom started regularly dog-sitting for friends and family. Having different dogs in our home taught me early on that every animal comes with their own personality, routine, boundaries, and comfort level. After college, our family dog, Marmalade, decided I was her new human and that my dad was now chump change. Between my own pets and the animals I’ve helped care for over the years, I have experience with both cats and dogs at different ages, energy levels, and temperaments. I really love learning about our furry friends and all their little quirks. Whether your pet wants long walks and playtime, constant affection, or would prefer that I simply respect their personal bubble and provide snacks, I’m happy to meet them where they are and keep their routine feeling as normal and comfortable as possible while you’re away.