Irene H.
Irene H.
Contact for Boarding
from $50 per night
Highlights
Pet care experience
Comfort, Care and Zoomies
I have been a dog foster for eight years in the Dallas area with Take Me Home Pet Rescue. I fostered at least a dozen dogs, but seven in particular needed special attention to make them ready to be great pets. I spent time on socialization, behavior, obedience and at least four of them got their basic Canine Good Citizen certification. Fostering gave me the opportunity to learn about various breeds, behaviors and work with dog behaviorists, dog day cares and behavior vets. I have owned four rescue dogs and taken them through the Canine Good Citizen program.:two of them through the third level. My tripawd dog, Rango, has done Rally at the novice level. And Lumi, my most recent rescue from PAWS, is also CGC Certified and ready to do some therapy work once she gets over her car-sickness. I have learned so much from my fostering experiences and working with various dogs. All the training is very positive and relationship-based. I am not trainer, but happy to work with your trainer. After moving to Dripping Springs, I have kept some friends and neighbors dogs and now adding some dog sitting into my substitute teaching schedule. Your dog will stay with Lumi (three year old Lab mix) and Rango (an eleven year old border collie and Aussie mix). We have a nice fenced, shaded and good sized back yard with birds and squirrels. We walk in our park and native woods behind our house almost every morning after breakfast. Our one-story home has mostly all linoleum plank vinyl flooring. I feed the dogs apart twice a day and there is no food aggression. They take treats together and they have become bonded. Our neighborhood is quiet and a nice mix of all ages with homes and quarter acre yards. I am an artist who works from home and I substitute teach art and early elementary at our ISD. My schedule will show booked substituting and dog sitting. I will stay home on days I know I'm keeping your dog. Your dog will get a walk, play with my pups and get some TLC. Because I teach, I also have security and background clearance with the school district. Your dog should be good with other dogs, house trained, spayed/neutered and a natural initial level of separation anxiety that will wane. Because of my fostering experience with dog transitions, I ask first-time pups and parents to come see us, our house and yard to make sure it's a good match for everyone. When a dog comes and goes with their owners, they are far more secure coming a second time and being left. I want a successful visit for everyone and look forward to repeat visits. I will treat your dog with care, love and safety. I look forward to meeting you and your pup.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Irene took great care of our sweet dog. Thanks, Irene!
I had a great experience when Irene took care of our Standard Poodle Bentley. Bentley is not great with strangers but Irene made sure she comfortable. She took great care of Bentley even though Irene was not feeling well. I would definitely recommend Irene.
Chip had a great stay with Irene, Lumi and Rango, as always! Looking forward to the next one. :)
Irene's house is Chip's second home, and as always, she takes wonderful care of him. We highly recommend her if you are looking for someone to take excellent care of your dogs while you're away.
Irene has been instrumental in helping us reduce Chip’s separation anxiety. She’s knowledgeable about dog behavior and is attentive when caring for Chip. She gave us helpful tips to try at home, and it was most impactful for Chip to have regular routine and familiarity with Irene and her dogs - his “home away from home.”
Irene is amazing! She was flexible when our flight had to be rescheduled. She takes care of Chip like he’s her own, and he always comes home tired and happy. 🤍
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
I substitute teach and on days I'm not teaching or know I'm boarding, I'll stay home. I may run a quick errand, especially if you have a multi-day stay, but I will be home maybe doing my art, maybe working in the back yard with the dogs in the back roaming around while I work.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
I have a fenced back yard that is shady and secure. I can crate your dog as needed. I have two dogs who are friendly and playful, but submissive and give their guests space. I will feed all dogs in separate areas. If I go run a quick errand, I will make sure the dogs go outside and I'll check in with you beforehand about crating or separating. I will walk each dog separately once during the day, usually in the morning. If your dog has a bed, feel free to bring it and if well potty trained, it can bunk in the bedroom with us so it is part of the pack. Some dogs want to sleep in the bed and really depends on how the dogs get along, especially the first night or two as it does take natural adjustment time.
Pets
A typical day
On days I don't teach, I fix their food, they play around in the yard and then we do walks. I work around the house or yard or do art. The dogs lounge watching TV or we may go out in the yard. There are toys they might play with or go back outside and chase a squirrel. They eat their evening meal and we lounge until bedtime.
- 0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsDogs over 1 year oldSpayed and neutered dogs onlyNo females in heatTakes only 1 client at a timeIrene can host up to 1 pet per night
- For first time visits, I want to meet and greet ahead of our stay. This way, the pup parents ca see where their dog will be staying, see my dogs, the yard and the home. Their dog will leave with them, but the dog will remember when they get dropped off for their visit. I need to know about anxiety, chewing, marking, any food or pet aggression or shyness. Some behaviors are manageable and others more difficult in a multiple dog home. I want everyone to have a positive experience they would like to repeat. The good thing about a meet and greet visit is we can talk over some details while the dogs meet and greet.