Elizabeth W.
Merle Hay, IA
I like humans but I love dogs!
Pet care experience
Hello! I am a reliable, responsible human with many furry friends! I have had animals and been an animal lover my entire life. As an adult, I've had a cat (he passed away in 2012), then my Border Collie since 2013, and now also my newest (a foster fail Border Collie mix). Blue was adopted from a shelter 10 years ago and we have been best friends since! 5 years ago we began fostering dogs and we have had a few dozen. Hector is a Border Collie mix so we are always busy playing ball, frisbee and wrestling in our fenced-in yard, and keeping our minds busy with tricks. Blue and I have taken training classes including obedience and agility so we like to test our minds and bodies! When your dog is at my home, I do have them use basic manners like staying down and listening for their safety and happiness. My 2 dogs are well-socialized and like to play/interact with others. Dog guests never eat together and always meet on leash first. Baby/dog gates also help to keep separation if needed. All dogs staying with me will be provided their own kennel with a bed in it in the basement. This allows them to have their own space as they desire it. I have a radon mitigation system and have tried to make the basement feel comfortable! They will only be in kennels when unsupervised (bedtime and when I'm not home) or if there's a personality concern with another dog. Here are the dates that will be charged for the 2023 holidays ($65/night): Labor Day 9/1-9/4 Halloween 10/27-11/1 Thanksgiving 11/22-11/26 Christmas 12/22-12/26 New Year 12/29-1/2 I am always so happy to help people and their best friends. When I have to leave mine with someone, I want to know they're safe and loved, and that's what I do with the friends in my house! We only want for your pups to be well taken care of and happy while they're here! Please let us know if we can help you and your furry friends!
Reviews
Great sitter, provided updates on our dogs throughout the stay.
Elizabeth is always so great with our dogs! Lots of updates and I can tell how much she loves animals!
It’s never easy leaving our four-legged baby when we want to travel, but our sweet girl loved her staycation at Elizabeth’s house. Elizabeth was careful with pet introductions which I greatly appreciated. Elizabeth sent a lot of pictures and videos which we all appreciated, but my kids really loved being able to see our girl was being well taken care of and making new friends. We will most definitely be using Elizabeth again!!
Great communication, plenty of pictures and videos of my dog enjoying herself. I would highly recommend using Elizabeth to watch your pet. I will be using her again as Joey now has two new friends in Blue and Hector.
About Elizabeth W.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
There have been incidents where dogs have escaped my yard so I have reinforced those spots and take extra measures (like near-constant supervision) to ensure safety. I also have completed the Red Cross Dog/Cat CPR course. I also introduce dogs slowly so they are able to comfortably greet and socialize politely.
Home
Information Elizabeth W. would like to know about your pet
I require dogs to be crate-trained since I usually have multiple dogs and my 2 free roam the house. I also require dogs to be good/friendly with other dogs. I also require that your dog(s) be up-to-date on vaccinations and on flea/tick and heartworm preventatives for their health as well as the health of my dogs and other dogs that enter my home. For your dog's safety and security, I only take dogs that will not jump my 4 foot chain-link fence. In general, I would like to know what your friend's typical day looks like and some of their favorite things, if they're on meds or a special diet, what challenging behaviors they have (I can handle many, I just want and need to know), as well as what they need in order to be happy, healthy and successful during their stay.
A typical day
We would wake up early and go potty, play outside, eat breakfast, play a bit more. They would rest/relax while I work and I can visit them during lunchtime. After work we would play in the backyard, have dinner and play/snuggle. In the summertime, weekends or days that I'm home all day, routine will basically be the same. I have a doggy door and dogs can go in and out of the house as they please.
Services
Elizabeth can host
Availability
My work schedule allows me to go home at my lunch during the school year to let dogs out and then I'm available when most people vacation (I'm a teacher). This is perfect so when you're able to take a family vacation, your furry friend can stay with me! When I'm on a break from work, I have a lot of free time to play and love on dogs in my care. I only allow drop-offs and pick-ups to occur between 7am and 9pm. I also am going to be charging $10 for accidents that occur in the home, whether that's in or out of kennels. Please understand that when these happen, it takes additional time and resources. Thank you!
About Elizabeth W.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
There have been incidents where dogs have escaped my yard so I have reinforced those spots and take extra measures (like near-constant supervision) to ensure safety. I also have completed the Red Cross Dog/Cat CPR course. I also introduce dogs slowly so they are able to comfortably greet and socialize politely.
Home
Information Elizabeth W. would like to know about your pet
I require dogs to be crate-trained since I usually have multiple dogs and my 2 free roam the house. I also require dogs to be good/friendly with other dogs. I also require that your dog(s) be up-to-date on vaccinations and on flea/tick and heartworm preventatives for their health as well as the health of my dogs and other dogs that enter my home. For your dog's safety and security, I only take dogs that will not jump my 4 foot chain-link fence. In general, I would like to know what your friend's typical day looks like and some of their favorite things, if they're on meds or a special diet, what challenging behaviors they have (I can handle many, I just want and need to know), as well as what they need in order to be happy, healthy and successful during their stay.
A typical day
We would wake up early and go potty, play outside, eat breakfast, play a bit more. They would rest/relax while I work and I can visit them during lunchtime. After work we would play in the backyard, have dinner and play/snuggle. In the summertime, weekends or days that I'm home all day, routine will basically be the same. I have a doggy door and dogs can go in and out of the house as they please.
Location
Des Moines, IA
Pets
Elizabeth W.
Merle Hay, IA