Elizabeth W.
Merle Hay, Des Moines, IA
Services
Elizabeth can host
Availability
I have a lot of flexibility since I work from home 90% of the time! When I'm on a break or lunch, I have 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 charge $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!
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
28 | 29 | 30 |
About Elizabeth W.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
We have a newly built 6 ft wood horizonal privacy fence for security and safety! Please let me know if your furry friend has the tendency to be an escape artist (climbing/digging/clawing, etc.) 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 (meaning they go in easily and are comfortable/do not bark, for long in the crate) since I usually have multiple dogs and our dogs free roam the house. I also require dogs to be good/friendly with other dogs. This means that after a slow, one-on-one introduction on leash, the dogs are both comfortable around each other, and there is no strong need to assert dominance over the other. If your dog is not crate-trained in the way described, or your dog is not friendly in the way described above, I reserve the right to charge $20-30 extra a day. 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. 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. Please be honest about all the things your dog needs in order to help this happen! Thank you so much!
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. After work we would play in the backyard, have dinner and play/snuggle. I have a doggy door so that dogs can go in and out of the house as they please. I do not walk Rover dogs unless specifically requested. Dogs must be leash-trained. I will add a $20 charge for each half hour walk, if requested.
Location
Des Moines, IA
Pets
Elizabeth W. has Star Sitter status
The Star Sitter program highlights responsive sitters who deliver highly rated care and have a history of listing accurate availability and preferences, making it easier for pet parents to find the best care for their pets.
I like humans but I love dogs!
Pet care experience
Hello! I am a work-from-home dog mom (former teacher) who is a reliable, responsible, and 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. Gunner is a growly but gentle boy who just loves to get lovins and sleep on the couch. 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 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 (if they do not destroy beds, of course :) ). This allows them to have their own space as they desire it. 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 2025 holidays ($65/night): Memorial Day 5/23-5/27 Juneteeth 6/18-6/20 Fourth of July 7/3-7/6 Labor Day 8/28-9/2 Halloween 10/30-11-2 Veteran's Day 11/7-11/10 Thanksgiving 11/26-11/30 Christmas 12/23-12/28 New Year 12/31-1/1/25 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
Elizabeth was super accommodating when our travel plans kept us an extra day longer (snow storm). She was very good at communicating with us by sending picture and video updates but not over the top where it was too much. Our dog Zeus had a blast and we would definitely have him stay with her and her family again!
Penny and Marvin loved their stay with Elizabeth. It was great knowing they had all their needs met and such excellent dog and human company while we were away. I got several updates each day, which was both fun and reassuring. Elizabeth’s place is a dog’s ideal home away from home.
Elizabeth did a wonderful job updating us each day with photos or videos of our dogs and relayed information to us - both good and bad. Thank you for watching our pups - we will very likely use your services again in the future 😊
Elizabeth did an awesome job of taking care of my 2 dogs. They were in a date place and well cared for. She updated me daily with pics and how the dogs were doing. I really appreciated that. Thank you so much and I will definitely use her again.
About Elizabeth W.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
We have a newly built 6 ft wood horizonal privacy fence for security and safety! Please let me know if your furry friend has the tendency to be an escape artist (climbing/digging/clawing, etc.) 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 (meaning they go in easily and are comfortable/do not bark, for long in the crate) since I usually have multiple dogs and our dogs free roam the house. I also require dogs to be good/friendly with other dogs. This means that after a slow, one-on-one introduction on leash, the dogs are both comfortable around each other, and there is no strong need to assert dominance over the other. If your dog is not crate-trained in the way described, or your dog is not friendly in the way described above, I reserve the right to charge $20-30 extra a day. 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. 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. Please be honest about all the things your dog needs in order to help this happen! Thank you so much!
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. After work we would play in the backyard, have dinner and play/snuggle. I have a doggy door so that dogs can go in and out of the house as they please. I do not walk Rover dogs unless specifically requested. Dogs must be leash-trained. I will add a $20 charge for each half hour walk, if requested.
Elizabeth W.
Merle Hay, Des Moines, IA