I know leaving your pets behind can be hard. For many of us, they aren’t just animals; they’re family. They’re part of our routines, our homes, and our everyday lives. So trusting someone new with them (and your home) is a big deal. I understand that because I’m a pet parent too. My husband, Sean (more about him later), and I share our home with our dog, Bowie, and our cat, Ace, and they are very much part of our family. So much so that the last time we had to leave them in someone else’s care, I told my husband it felt like leaving the kids with a babysitter. Obviously pets and kids are very different, but the feeling of entrusting a piece of your heart with someone who isn’t you is pretty similar. That kind of trust is not something I take lightly. I’ve been pet sitting for almost 10 years, and one of my favorite parts has always been getting to know each pet as an individual. Every pet has their own personality, comfort level, and way of communicating. I love learning the little things that make them who they are; their routines, their favorite walks, their quirks, and the things that help them feel safe and comfortable while their people are away. Some pets are ready to be your best friend the moment they meet you, while others need a little more time and patience before they decide you’re okay; I’m happy to meet them wherever they’re at. I think a lot of that understanding comes from my own experience with animals. I’ve shared my life with pets for as long as I can remember, and growing up with rescue dogs taught me early on that patience and trust look different for every animal. Those experiences are a big part of why Sean and I chose to adopt Bowie, and they continue to shape the way I show up for the pets I care for today. For housesitting bookings, Sean and I work together as a team. He has been pet sitting alongside me for about five years and works from home most days, which means he’s often able to stop in throughout the day for potty breaks, playtime, and extra companionship. Having that additional support allows us to provide more consistent care and helps pets spend less time alone while their families are away. Outside of pet sitting, I work for a local family-owned plumbing company while also working toward my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. While those things may seem unrelated, both have taught me the importance of patience, communication, reliability, and paying attention to the small details, which are qualities that naturally carry over into the way I care for animals. At the end of the day, my goal is simple: I want your pets to feel safe, comfortable, and loved while you’re away. I also want you to have peace of mind knowing they’re being cared for by someone who truly understands how much they mean to you.