Jennifer D.
South Portland, ME
Ready to care for your fur family!
Pet care experience
I love getting to spend time with pets of all kinds and I’m not limited to just cats and dogs. I love to interact with your incredible salt water reef tank, your Savannah monitor, rats, hamsters, or whatever animals you have that you want to kept healthy, happy, and safe.
Reviews
I hired Jen for a six day house sit to watch our 6 month old lab pit mix puppy Charlie and Snowflake, the queen of our house—a 12 year old Bichon. When we did our meet and greet, we explained that the puppy was constantly antagonistic towards Snowflake. Jen asked incredibly thoughtful questions about their behavior and how we would like them to be managed. We got daily reports as requested in the morning and evening, so we never had to ask how the dogs were doing out of concern. It was such a peace of mind experience that, while I first thought her rates were a little steep, we have repeatedly hired her. We love Jen!
Jen was so good with our dog Olivia! Our senior girl is about 13 and Jen knew exactly what she needed: short walks, potty breaks, treats, and attention. Jen is just a great person and animal lover. Highly recommend her!
It’s so tough to leave a pet at home while traveling. My husky would not have done well in a kennel/boarding setting, so I needed someone I could trust in my home and with my beloved dog. Jen, above all else, has integrity- that’s why I used her to care for my dog in my own home. I trusted her to be in my house while taking my dog for at least 2-3 walks a day that were 20-30 minutes each. She fed/watered/medicated her with specific instructions, sat on the couch or floor and gave her loving pets and cuddles, and subsequently checked on my house which gave me peace of mind.
Jennifer cared for my two cats on several occasions when I was out of town. She is trustworthy and reliable and I felt comfortable leaving my cats in her care. She provided me with regular updates and my cats adored her. I am sad that we no longer live in the same town because I would love to have her help us out again!
About Jennifer D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
When I do a home stay, I like to help keep the routine of the pets the same. If you feed your pets at 5am, then I’ll be up at 5am to make sure they don’t get stressed from an unexpected change. I like to interact with your pets to keep them active and stimulated (so they don’t get bored and start playing with the trash or toilet paper roll!), but I can also just sit and read and snuggle them during nap time if they want. You tell me the rules of your home and I follow them explicitly. Dependability and cleanliness are foundational to my approach. And of course, keeping your pets and your home safe is important to me!
Information Jennifer D. would like to know about your pet
Reactivity is probably the most important information to share with me for a dog. Walks can be fun, but they can also be dangerous and scary if I don’t know how your dog handles humans and other walking dogs. Where they are allowed to be in your house is also helpful—I don’t want to let the dog on the couch if that’s a boundary you’ve set. Medications and concerns about recent illnesses are helpful too. The more you share, the more I can reliably care after your amazing dog!
A typical day
It all depends on your home situation and your neighborhood. I’ll always keep your dog leashed if we leave your fenced in property for your dogs safety. In a yard with a fence and in locations inside the home you indicate are safe, we’ll play fetch with a ball, wrestle, play rope tug, and whatever keeps your dog engaged and tires them out. A tired dog is usually a happy and satisfied dog!
Services
Jennifer can watch in your home
Availability
At this time I set my own work schedule so I get to work around walking pups and playing with cats. I also can work remotely so if I’m doing a home stay, I’ll just be there getting work done while scratching your dog’s butt or throwing a catnip mouse around for the kitty. Also, dog walks help me get my steps in everyday!
About Jennifer D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
When I do a home stay, I like to help keep the routine of the pets the same. If you feed your pets at 5am, then I’ll be up at 5am to make sure they don’t get stressed from an unexpected change. I like to interact with your pets to keep them active and stimulated (so they don’t get bored and start playing with the trash or toilet paper roll!), but I can also just sit and read and snuggle them during nap time if they want. You tell me the rules of your home and I follow them explicitly. Dependability and cleanliness are foundational to my approach. And of course, keeping your pets and your home safe is important to me!
Information Jennifer D. would like to know about your pet
Reactivity is probably the most important information to share with me for a dog. Walks can be fun, but they can also be dangerous and scary if I don’t know how your dog handles humans and other walking dogs. Where they are allowed to be in your house is also helpful—I don’t want to let the dog on the couch if that’s a boundary you’ve set. Medications and concerns about recent illnesses are helpful too. The more you share, the more I can reliably care after your amazing dog!
A typical day
It all depends on your home situation and your neighborhood. I’ll always keep your dog leashed if we leave your fenced in property for your dogs safety. In a yard with a fence and in locations inside the home you indicate are safe, we’ll play fetch with a ball, wrestle, play rope tug, and whatever keeps your dog engaged and tires them out. A tired dog is usually a happy and satisfied dog!
Location
South Portland, ME
Jennifer D.
South Portland, ME