As a retired CEO, I'm home almost all the time. If you expect excellent care and safety for your treasured dog/doggies in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, look no further. While you are away for business, family matters or vacation, your pet will enjoy a vacation in a lovely, large home (no pool) conveniently located right on the way to DFW Airport and close proximity to Love Field. Your doggy is not boarded in my home. They are on vacation. While your pet is on vacation in my home, you'll rest easy knowing that his/her safety, fun, humane care and happiness is the foremost priority for doggy guests in my care. Glenda's home is located in Hackberry Creek, a gated community wrapped around a golf course, with a live guard at every entrance. Rest easy that your furry family member is safe and secure in my care. When visiting for a meet and greet, or when dropping off, Glenda will take a photograph with the doggy and family to make certain there are no false claims of ownership by someone else. Believe it or not, I became a Rover sitter because my dog wanted me to. In the Spring of 2016, I dog-sat a couple of times for neighbors, and realized that my dog Ricky is the perfect Alpha Male who keeps the other doggies calm and relaxed while each one finds his/her place in the group. He really likes the company and companionship. Ricky and his brother Scooter help the visiting dogs get acquainted with their new temporary home and they actually show them the ropes. He never gets jealous when other dogs are in the house, on my lap or receiving affection. Like an older uncle to them, he makes them comfortable and welcome. He loves meeting his new companions and their people, but I consider the doggy guests as my grandchildren. I get to keep them for a while, then give them back, ideally, better for staying with with us. The secret to a happy stay is a carefully planned initial introduction and your departure. When you arrive with your dog to meet and greet for the first time, I meet you outside in front of my house for the introduction. (Everyone who's here at the time is crated before I open the front door.) Then we'll get acquainted while you and I cover the important details. Then, when your dog comes to stay, we'll bring in their belongings such as their bed, and food. When it's time for you to leave, I ask you to come in and out the door three times while your dog watches you do this as you instruct your doggy to "stay with Miss Glenda". Dogs are far less homesick when properly acclimated. Shortly after your dog arrives, I'll add one of my custom collars that has a bell and my ID. The bell lets me know where they are at all times, including out in the backyard or in the house. When I'm sure they are acclimated to the house and others in my care, they’ll join Ricky and me to play outdoors in my spacious backyard. Every time the doggies in my care are in the back yard, either myself or one of my staff are with them. We never leave them outside alone. And we never leave my property for fear that a precious doggy in my care could escape. Each and every time the dogs are let out in the backyard to run around, play or eliminate, I'm with them. They are never left outdoors alone. If I must leave the house, everyone is crated for their safety. I've yet to find a dog that minds crating. If your precious pup wakes up during the night, he/she's comforted by me and may get on my bed, if he/she wants. Most dogs prefer a crate to sleep. My dog Ricky is amazing in that he knows exactly how to get every dog in our care to form a nice, calm pack. He helps everyone establish their place in the pack so that everyone is happy and having fun playing and interacting with others, even if Ricky is the only one here at the time. Clients tell me that their pup has a great time at my house because their doggy gets to play with others (under close supervision by me) and consider their stay something like a theme park for doggies. Almost every dog I've kept so far quickly makes special friends with at least one other in the "pack" and bonds with the all others who may come and go. There's a real trick to feeding time, which I've figured out so that there is total peace and no one is protective about their food or tries to sneak other's food. Everyone is fed separately in a crate and may eat at their own pace. All food supplied by their family is clearly marked so that everyone gets their own food and a relaxed place to feed. Any meds are administered as directed by the family. Being retired, I'm mostly home, doing chores, reading or watching TV. Invariably, the dogs follow me all over the house. They seem quite interested in everything I do, and I like it when they stick close so that I know they are safe and happy. I talk to them and play with them during their stay. When I sit on the couch, all the dogs are invited to sit near me and get pets or belly rubs. The fenced yard has lots of motion detector lights so that I can see everyone, even at night. The house is "dog-proofed" so that anything I don't want them in is blocked off. My neighborhood, Hackberry Creek, is a gated community laced through a golf course. The sidewalks are nice and well-maintained. Making sure your dog is safe and having a fun time while you’re away is my foremost concern. Each and every time the front door is open, everyone is put into a crate (I have several) so there is no chance of their escaping out the door. Families really love that I snap photos and tell them what their pup is doing while they are away. I send photos frequently and tell you about his/her activities. Normally, you will hear from me twice a day, but no less than once a day, depending on your preference). I’m ready to play grandma for your dog, and Ricky is ready to play uncle. We both look forward to taking good care of your doggy in the near future. As a retired CEO, I'm almost always home. As a Rover sitter for almost five years, many important relationships developed from the doggies in my care and their families. Now several of my best friends are folks who count on me to care for their "babies". Each doggy in my care is treated kindly and humanely exactly as the treasured family member they are, making sure everyone is safe. A team of teenagers are on staff in rotating shifts throughout the day to help with caring for our doggy guests, making sure everyone is safe, cuddled and happy. They help with keeping the house meticulously clean and odor free and the ceramic floors are deep cleaned and sanitized daily. Several crates are available for doggy guests who want to sleep in a crate and are utilized for feeding to avoid cross feeding or problems with food competition. Each Guest's food is kept in clearly marked containers so that everyone receives only his/her food. With a couple dozen bowls on hand, each bowl is dishwasher cleaned between feedings. By keeping everything they come in contact completely clean, this reduces the possibility of contamination or problems related to less than a clean environment. My fenced yard is monitored frequently to make sure its always solid and escape proof. Everyone is secured each and every time the front door is opened to avoid escape. The front door of my large home is opened only between the hours of 7:30AM and 7:30PM. While in my care, everyone is free to explore the downstairs, do whatever they wish and enjoy being with other doggy guests. All activity in the house is geared toward the care and welfare of our treasured doggy guests. Over the years, I've learned that one of the best aspects of this job is taking photos and videos of the doggies for the family to enjoy while they are away. Some say they enjoy my videos more than their own vacation.