We got our first family dog, a West Highland Terrier, when I was about 10 years old. I fell in love straight away. Throughout my teenage years I had a hands on role with training and caring for her. I then in my later teens would be trusted with her and family friends dogs. My parents would go away or their friends or family would - I was always the one they’d ask first to help out. During lockdown a friend of mine with an autistic child asked if I’d be able to help look after her dog for a few days/nights so she can focus all her attention on her child who was struggling in lockdown. Her Spaniel had just turned one and was very hyperactive, I felt my firm tone and praise for good behaviour showed an improvement in behaviour quickly as I was able to give her my full attention. Since then my friend has reached out and asked me to dog sit for her again. The past couple of years I’ve regularly looked after a dog called Jess, an older Jack Russell, who unfortunately had a stroke three years ago. She is generally well, sadly one leg never recovered fully, but the vet has assured her owner her quality of life is good and she’s in no pain. I understood the great responsibility her owners give me by trusting me to look after her, sometimes for ten days at a time whilst they’re away. I have been the first person they’ve trusted to look after her and I take pride in that they now feel comfortable enough for it to be a regular thing. From the experience of having a family dog for 17 years and looking after Jess I feel comfortable looking after older dogs, administering medication and confident keeping up with the needs of a young pup as well! I always treat pets with love as if they were my own but follow instruction of the owner without hesitation as this is what I’d expect from a dog sitter.