In addition to care instructions, I always try to ask questions about your pets normal behaviors to make sure I notice if anything is off with them while you’re away. For example, - Does your pet have any anxiety triggers, such as thunderstorms? Is it normal for them to hide for hours at a time? What can I do to help them feel safe? -Does your pet have any health issues that might come up during our time together? Should they arise, for which issues should I contact you? For which issues should I contact your veterinarian? -How would you rate your pet’s play appetite/energy level? What are their favorite ways to burn off energy? What are their favorite toys? Is it normal for them to not be interested in playing? - How many times per day does your pet eat? How much should I feed them each time? At what times of day should they be fed? Is it normal for them to leave food in their dish? - Are there any “house rules” for your pet that you would like me to enforce while you’re away (e.g. no jumping on counters)? How would you like these rules to be enforced? - Does your pet have any physical boundaries or preferences for how they are handled (e.g. if they don’t like being picked up)? - For dogs, how many walks do they get per day? At what times of day should their walks be? How long should each walk be? - For cats, how often do they like their litter box to be cleaned? Do they sometimes have accidents outside their box? If your dog exhibits any of the following behaviors, I may not be the right sitter for you: -Barking for extended periods -“Flopping down” mid-walk for extended periods of time, unwilling to continue walk -Aggressiveness (bearing teeth, snarling, snapping, lunging, biting). Even the sweetest dogs sometimes become aggressive when they feel threatened due to traumas from their past. I do not judge you or your dog if this is the case for them, but it is outside my comfort zone as a pet sitter.

When I meet a cat for the first time, I give them plenty of slow blinks and wait for them to approach me in their own time. If they seem nervous, I may sit near them and talk to them to help them get acclimated to my presence. As an owner of a cat with a high play drive, I know how important it is to keep them active and stimulated. Your cat will have no shortage of attention and affection when I’m around! When I first meet a new dog, I’ll extend my hand for their approval before goin’ in for some nice scritches. On walks, I tend to let the dog lead the way and take their time as they investigate all the good sniffs in the neighborhood. When at home, I’ll play with all their favorite toys and give them all the belly rubs their heart desires. And of course, few things in life can beat snuggling up on the couch with a dog after a long day!