My livelihood is animals. I love my pets as much as my children and will care for yours as if they were my own! From a young age, I bonded with animals. My grandparents (in their 67 years of marriage) always had 2 dogs and 2 cats, therefore I helped care for so many of them for decades. I learned a lot about pet care from a very young age. My grandparents had a dog with a seizure disorder and as a young teen I was taught how to care for the dog. One of my saddest moments was having to say goodbye to their Doberman when I was 13. I had him in my life since age 5. They also had a Great Dane. I have 5 of my own dogs. (Chihuahua, Frenchie-Boston, Mini-Aussie, and a Pug.) Then the other week, a Lab was at a high kill shelter and was in an emergency situation so we agreed to Foster him. Well, we fell in love, named him Dax. He’s a 1 year old Ruby Labrador. I also have a cat and we have reptiles. Although I do prefer to come to your home, I have taken dogs into my home for a Holiday/long weekend or when a repeat client needs to keep their dog in my home. We have a good sized fenced in backyard and a 5 bedroom home with a downstairs “hang-out” area where we spend time with all the animals. I have done “doggy day care” in my home as well, but I mainly house-sit while I care for your pet(s); I will change cat litter, do light house cleaning, water plants, bring garbage in or out, check mail, etc. I do drop ins and will walk or jog your dogs (or service any of your pets) for any kind of pet care that you need. I have many years of experience with all kinds of animals including special need pets and exotic ones. We took care of a snake in our home for a friend for 4 months. Also, a Hedgehog. I do have a pet sitting website and many references. My aunt joked I am the “dog whisperer” and Dr. Doolittle as I always have them following me around :) I do consider my Business Cindy’s Canines & Critters “family-operated.” My husband is a busy VA Physician, working 4 days a week, but off for 3 (he helps me out) and besides caring for my own pets, this is what I do full-time. My 2 children (10 and 16) are in school, and they do help me in the summer and on weekends, (they are also avid animal lovers) and I am available most Holidays. My son Sam is good at helping me walk dogs if need be. He also picks up dog poop, mows lawns, shovels snow, and cleans yards. If I’ve been booked, he’s stayed in homes caring for cats and dogs for my repeat clients. I am readily available. I take last minute jobs typically as well. Typically I get booked faster May-August. September and October are busy, and November through April slow down. I offer dog walks, $15 for 15 min or $22 for 30 min. I offer a senior discount to those 62 and older. I offer drop in visits as you desire for $33 for an hour to spend time with your pets (which could include a walk and food, water, play time, and clean up). If I have to travel more than 20 minutes from my home for drop-ins, I charge $40 for the hour to make up for gas and extra travel time. If you are having financial trouble and I’m not too booked, I may be able to work with you. I may charge a bit more than some other part-time pet sitters, however I am full time, pour my heart into this, and I have decades of experience. I will give you Top-notch care. My motto is to go over and above and leave the home better than when I arrived. If you are gone more than 1 day and your preference is for me not to house-sit, I can come 3 to 4 times a day and we can work out a rate that is daily/weekend or weekly instead of the drop in visit charge. Many of my clients don’t need me to stay overnight especially when they have cats. I have worked with “hard to handle” dogs and big dogs and am not fond of raising my voice at an animal and definitely no spanking. I prefer redirecting and distraction or a “time out” in kennel or other area. I have also worked with families who use shock collars and I carried around a remote. That is the most I will agree to do where ‘discipline’ is concerned. I’ve done a bit of dog training with pups, but definitely don’t claim to be “professional” trainer, but I do have a very good intuition knowing how to work with a dog. I can also bathe or handle any sized dog. For example, I walk 2 dogs during week days, one is a big Alaskan Malamute, and I can easily walk both big dogs at once. Although we live in a way where our pets are our family and can “run the house” and go on beds-furniture etc. and our cat and dogs sleep with us, I respect what you want in your home. I am more than used to my clients having cameras in their homes, I just ask at the time of hiring to be told and especially if there is one in a bedroom I will be sleeping in. We have Blink cameras in our home as well and if I need to leave my home for an hour or two and have your dog for an extended stay, I watch my camera downstairs to ensure all is well. I’ve worked with puppies who whine at night and need extra care/potty training and also dogs with separation anxiety issues and feel I’ve learned good tricks over the years. For house-sitting with your pet(s) I can bring my own blankets, pillow, and food. I can sleep on a couch or in a guest room or wherever you want to put me. The only thing I ask for is the Veterinary information and WiFi-password. I know I have many pictures in my album… I’ve cared for so many pets I wanted to brag on all of them. I love each and every one of them!!