Destiny B.
Destiny B.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Thoughtful, Experienced Dog Care
My name is Destiny and I grew up caring for large and small dogs and cats. I have hands-on experience raising puppies and kittens from birth through adulthood. As an adult, I continue to care for both cats and dogs, including adopted shelter cats and my own Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle. Both of my dogs are neutered, gentle and affectionate. My Standard Poodle loves to run and play and can be wonderfully bouncy, but he's also surprisingly nurturing and likes to make sure everyone is okay. My Labrador is basically Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh—a lovely potato who is particularly drawn to wee, scrappy dogs. I actively study canine behavior and learning. I train and participate in dog sports including obedience, scent work/nose work, agility, Barn Hunt and NASDA. I'm comfortable observing canine body language, following established training and management routines, providing enrichment, and adapting my approach to the individual dog. Most importantly, I genuinely enjoy getting to know animals as individuals. I don't expect every dog or cat to immediately love me, and I don't force interaction. I believe comprehensive care starts with paying attention to what makes an animal feel safe, comfortable and understood.
Cat care experience
Destiny also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
So happy to recommend Destiny but also hope this doesn't impact her availability because I can't imagine taking my Leela anywhere else. Leela is my heart dog. She's under 20 pounds and let's just say she has some personality quirks (part terrier). Because she's not a big dog, I was a bit concerned about Destiny's existing crew (her Lab and std poodle) but we spent time at her home and her two dogs are so well-behaved. Her Labrador and my Leela get along like peanut butter and jelly. She was careful to administer allergy meds that Leela takes on a schedule. 100% recommend. Happy to have found Destiny.
I met Destiny at a conformation event (aka dog show) where we bonded over our shared nerdiness of historical research of dog breeds and their historical uses and functions. I'm learning to groom dogs for show competitions and not everyone understands much work it can be. To maintain a show coat, there's a lot of wrapping, banding, combing, brushing, and just general mindfulness of handling a dog's coat. Not everyone is up for that kind of painstaking care. But she gets it and I appreciate that very much. I mostly travel with my dogs but I do have a day job and there are times when I need to be onsite for work events. Destiny is who I trust when I need my dogs cared for at a professional level and with 1:1 personal, careful attention. Not only are my pups well cared for but if I ask her to work on their training for getting their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate, my dogs come back much more responsive and well-mannered.
Destiny has cared for my German Shepherd mix, Leon, several times over the past 2 years because my work schedule has changed and requires more travel. Leon is a sweetheart but he is a lot of dog and I couldn't be happier with the way she has cared for him — as if he were her own. Leon has hip issues — something Destiny is very familiar with as her Labrador has similar issues. Leon requires monitoring for pain and discomfort and I feel 100% confident in Destiny's attentiveness. Her home has always appeared calm to me when I've stayed for a visit. Every time I drop Leon off at her place, he genuinely seems elated to be there. It makes me feel good that I don't have to worry about him. Plus both her dogs are charmers and Leon seems happy to have some downtime with his friends. My favorite thing about Destiny is that she's great at updates which gives me peace of mind. I appreciate that she is a lovely human being and a highly capable caregiver of animals and I cannot recommend her more highly.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
I work from home with a flexible schedule and control over my own hours, which gives me plenty of time to incorporate walks, play, enrichment, meals, potty breaks and companionship throughout the day. Our household is unusually quiet and relaxed. There are no children in the home, and my neighborhood is a peaceful residential area that's well suited to walks and downtime. Pets staying with me have opportunities for activity and engagement, but also plenty of time and space to settle, nap and simply relax. Because I'm home much of the day, pet care fits naturally into my routine rather than having to be squeezed in around a long commute or rigid work schedule.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
I believe pet care starts with understanding the *individual* animal. I take time to learn each pet's normal routine, temperament, preferences, training cues, feeding needs and anything that may make them uncomfortable or stressed. My approach is calm, patient and attentive. I don't force interactions, and I pay close attention to body language and changes in behavior. I follow owners' established routines and management instructions carefully because consistency can make being away from home much easier for a pet. My home is clean, quiet, child-free and low-stress, in a peaceful residential neighborhood. I want visiting pets to have a comfortable place where they can play and engage when they want to, but can also settle and rest without constant activity, noise or disruption. When caring for pets in their own homes, I bring the same approach: respect the animal's familiar environment, follow the household's routines carefully, communicate reliably with the owner, and leave things exactly as I found them.
Pets
A typical day
A typical day is shaped around your dog's normal routine, energy level and preferences. I like to sustain a comfortable rhythm of activity and downtime rather than constant stimulation. Depending on what your dog enjoys, our day might include neighborhood walks, playtime, sniffing and exploring, simple enrichment activities, or just hanging out together. Dogs who enjoy playing with my own dogs can have opportunities for appropriate supervised play, while dogs who prefer their own space don't have to participate. I'm also a big believer in letting dogs rest. There will be plenty of opportunities to nap, settle and decompress between activities. Meals, medications, potty breaks and established routines will be followed according to your instructions. My goal isn't to give every dog the same experience—it's to learn what makes your dog happy and comfortable and build their stay around that.