Dean J.
Kalamazoo, MI
Services
Dean can care for
Availability
One of the biggest differences between my prior pet sitting days and now is my flexibility due to my remote work. When I pet sat extensively throughout Chicago, my tour managing days had ended and I worked a full-time 9-5 downtown. This was fine for my clients, as they had a similar schedule. But I now work fully remotely, so I have a highly flexible schedule that allows me to spend much more time with your pets throughout the day than I could years ago. I essentially do my best to work around your pet's normal routine. I'm happy to accommodate early mornings, evenings, or midday visits whenever possible. My goal is to make life feel as normal and stress-free as possible for your pets while you're away.
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About Dean J.
Safety, trust & environment
When I'm in your home, I treat it with the same respect I'd expect someone to show mine, as I've also hired pet sitters over the years for my own critters. I follow your instructions (the more the better!), keep you updated with photos (lots!) and messages, and make sure your pets receive the same routines, rules, and attention they're used to (e.g., their feeding schedules, medications, favorite walking routes, cuddle time, or simply keeping them company).
Information Dean J. would like to know about your pet
Some things that are especially helpful to know ahead of time: Brief overview of their general daily routine (meal times, potty schedule, walks, etc.) General temperament and how they typically behave around new people, such as whether they're shy, nervous, or have any big fears or triggers that would be expected (thunder, other dogs, strangers, etc.) Any special care needed like medications, medical conditions, allergies, or mobility limitations ---- Things I want to know after booking: More details on routine (e.g., feeding times/amounts, expected outside times/amount) Favorite toys, games, treats, walking routes, or cuddle spots House rules you'd like me to maintain (furniture, sleeping arrangements, commands, feeding rules, crate routine, etc.) Anything that helps them feel safe, happy, or calm—or relatedly, anything I should avoid No detail is too small! As someone who has parented their own very particular pets and sat critters with a variety of temperaments and needs, I'd love to know all the specifics!
A typical day
Because I work remotely, I'm able to structure my workday around your pet's routine rather than the other way around. This is great for both me and your critters; they get more companionship, more potty breaks, more playtime, and fewer stretches alone. Every pet is different, of course, so I do my best to follow the routine they're already comfortable with. That could mean an early morning walk, midday potty breaks, medications at specific times, afternoon play sessions or a run, evening couch hangs, or sticking to a favorite walking route. I want life to feel as normal and stress-free as possible while you're away. You'll also of course receive regular updates with plenty of photos of what we get up to!
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
Remote Worker, Happy Critters!
Pet care experience
Animals have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I've been lucky to parent dogs, cats, and horses, including two retired racing Greyhounds and a tuxedo cat who made me a certified cat person. Beyond my own, I've been caring for pets professionally (i.e., beyond friends and family) for more than 15 years, and after taking some time away while completing my PhD and living abroad, I'm excited to be back doing something I've always loved. In 2011, I started walking pups professionally in Chicago as a side gig during my breaks from tour managing for a band, which quickly turned into my dog-walking clients asking me to stay in their home with their pets while they were away. Over the span of just a few years, I built relationships with more than 30 clients, with most of them turning into repeat (and repeat and repeat!) clients. I've cared for dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and temperaments, from tiny Yorkies to Great Danes and everything in between. I've also worked with many pets that required extra patience or specialized care. I've cared for senior pets, dogs < 1yo, a blind Australian Cattle Dog, a deaf cat, highly anxious and stranger-wary dogs, VERY stranger-wary cats, a Beagle with a seizure disorder, and pets receiving medication. I've also been the go-to sitter for a couple of families going through difficult times with their critters, including caring for their pets with terminal illnesses during their final days (both a black lab named Maggie and the sweetest deaf black cat named Sam) . Over the years, I've handled a few very unexpected situations as well. Whether it's a medical event requiring an unexpected trip to the veterinarian or even arriving to a cat drop-in visit to find that the apartment had experienced a break-in (in my Chicago days, which included working with police and gathering the terrified cats from the apartment stairwell), I've stayed calm, communicated clearly, and focused on keeping the critters safe and the clients informed. There have also been several occasions where I've extended my stay last-minute due to a client's canceled flight or interrupted travel plans.
Reviews
Dean took wonderful care of our Aussiedoodle while we were out of town. We had multiple updates throughout our vacation and knew that she was in good hands! Our home was beautifully kept. You can’t get better trusted care than Dean!!
About Dean J.
Safety, trust & environment
When I'm in your home, I treat it with the same respect I'd expect someone to show mine, as I've also hired pet sitters over the years for my own critters. I follow your instructions (the more the better!), keep you updated with photos (lots!) and messages, and make sure your pets receive the same routines, rules, and attention they're used to (e.g., their feeding schedules, medications, favorite walking routes, cuddle time, or simply keeping them company).
Information Dean J. would like to know about your pet
Some things that are especially helpful to know ahead of time: Brief overview of their general daily routine (meal times, potty schedule, walks, etc.) General temperament and how they typically behave around new people, such as whether they're shy, nervous, or have any big fears or triggers that would be expected (thunder, other dogs, strangers, etc.) Any special care needed like medications, medical conditions, allergies, or mobility limitations ---- Things I want to know after booking: More details on routine (e.g., feeding times/amounts, expected outside times/amount) Favorite toys, games, treats, walking routes, or cuddle spots House rules you'd like me to maintain (furniture, sleeping arrangements, commands, feeding rules, crate routine, etc.) Anything that helps them feel safe, happy, or calm—or relatedly, anything I should avoid No detail is too small! As someone who has parented their own very particular pets and sat critters with a variety of temperaments and needs, I'd love to know all the specifics!
A typical day
Because I work remotely, I'm able to structure my workday around your pet's routine rather than the other way around. This is great for both me and your critters; they get more companionship, more potty breaks, more playtime, and fewer stretches alone. Every pet is different, of course, so I do my best to follow the routine they're already comfortable with. That could mean an early morning walk, midday potty breaks, medications at specific times, afternoon play sessions or a run, evening couch hangs, or sticking to a favorite walking route. I want life to feel as normal and stress-free as possible while you're away. You'll also of course receive regular updates with plenty of photos of what we get up to!
Dean J.
Kalamazoo, MI