I have spent my entire life raising and caring for dogs in one form or another. I cared for my own yellow lab, Trapper, for 14 years (the last of which was especially difficult, as she suffered from joint pain and near the end of her life had to be carried outside to pee every day). I've done quite a bit of dog-sitting for friends of mine over the years, and have learned the joys of caring for dogs big and small. A friend of mine who rescued a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua mix from a shelter often asked me to dog-sit for her, and the trials of caring for a formerly-abused dog who was deathly afraid of anyone besides her owner taught me a great deal about what it takes to build a relationship with even the most untrusting dogs. The key is patience and respect. I respect every dog I care for, and I expect them to do the same for me. Sometimes that takes some time, which is where patience is necessary. When seeking out my services, my clients can rest assured that they will get an extremely reliable, trustworthy, and caring professional who has just as much stake in their dog's well-being as they do.