Let’s start with the GOOD stuff: • We are a mature couple with many years of experience owning and loving dogs as our family members. In our home, dogs are regarded as nothing less than a shade below royalty. We love them more than some people, truth be told • We have a good-sized fenced yard for your dog and we also like be outside. We go for walks every day and often on longer hikes on the weekends. Your dog will have daily exercise geared to their age and needs. • We live less than 5 minutes from a lovely walking trail. Ugly disclaimer: We typically do sidewalk walking for much of the year to reduce the possibility of picking up ticks in the woods. If it’s winter time, hiking and walking IN the woods are a “go” for us and your treasured pup too • We know stuff about dogs and dog behaviour. We aren’t trainers or vets but my husband has owned several large breed dogs in his lifetime and I have had several medium sized dogs myself over the past 45 years. We also take care of dogs for friends on a fairly regular basis. As such, we are pretty comfortable with any things your pet might need. Are they on a special diet? We’re ON it! Do they have to be given medication? We have it covered. Do they have lots of play time? HECK YES. We expect dogs to bark to communicate. We anticipate they might want to sit on the couch to look out the window. We’re cool – we have it covered • We are good communicators most of the time and are happy to send you updates/ progress reports. We will rely on you to let us know if that is something you'd find helpful or not. If you are a little nervous about leaving your pet we'll update you as you prefer. Likewise, we are also really good at reassuring, snuggling with, entertaining and distracting “Rover” if he is a bit sad when you leave. We’ve got this! • People actually pay us to take photographs sometimes. That being said, it means we will send you a photograph or two so you know that your sweetie is safe and happy while you are away. Who knows-- it might even be a framer! • If you tell us that its okay, your dog will go virtually everywhere we go. Car rides? –Yes. For a walk to the pub and a visit with some locals if they enjoy meeting people with? YES! The Santa Claus Parade- Of course! • We are a non-smoking home • We have no pets of our own at the moment meaning we have undivided attention to share with your dog. Our hearts have not quite mended from losing our last loves—Sydnee, over ten years ago and Milly, quite recently. • We adore kids (almost always) but our kids are all adults and live on their own. Again – this translates into undivided attention for your dog.