John S.
John S.
Contact for Boarding
from $50 per night
Highlights
Pet care experience
Must Love Dogs... CHECK!
After a tragically pet-free childhood, I've spent the last 20 years seeking out any opportunity to care for animals—from free dog walking for friends and cat-sitting for vacationing pals to hiking with hounds and being a designated vet chauffeur. I love exploring the outdoors with a dog, chucking sticks across empty fields, and praising them for every "good stretch"! I do everything I can to make pet parents feel comfortable and assured when they leave their furry friends in my care—including plenty of photos and updates!
Cat care experience
John also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
John was great with Macie! She got lots of love and lots of walks! She was very happy when she came home!
John was awesome! Had him help for a few days and Clyde loved his walks!
Our dog had an amazing time with John and Tara! Walks, feedings, play time, cuddles - everything was done the way she was used to. They let her sleep in the bed with them same way she does at home, and I’m sure it helped a lot for her to feel welcome. John has a cat, Pierre, and my dog became buddies with him as well. We also loved how fast John was responding to our texts, and we also appreciated daily pupdates. Thank you, John, Tara and Pierre!
John was very communicative and took great care of my two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Photos or videos each day helped me feel less sad while away. Also, he watered my plants & took great are of my home. I highly recommend John & will call upon him in the future.
John has taken care of my dog Toad many times and Toad and I can both attest that he is a wonderful caregiver. Toad absolutely loves John and he loves her just as much. I highly recommend John as a petsitter, and am confident your pets will feel very safe, healthy, and happy as can be with him while they wait for your return.
John watched my dog and cat while I was gone for 10 days and I didn't have to worry once about them because I know they were in great hands! He sent photos and updates throughout my trip, brought my social dog to coffee shops and parks, and made sure she got enough exercise and had a good time during each day. I absolutely recommend booking with John. This was the longest time I was away from my dog, and I definitely ended up missing her more than she did me because she had such a fun time with him!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
I work from home as a writer/editor and a live-edge woodworker, so my schedule is entirely flexible and under my control. I have a fenced-in backyard with ample shade where I often write and work, so outside time is always available for the animals I care for. I love walking the city and wandering through green spaces, especially Audubon Park and City Park, and having a puppy pal to accompany me makes it even more enjoyable.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
My interior home space is approximately 1,800 square feet, with multiple couches and rooms and sunspots for dogs and/or cats to relax and lounge. The fenced-in backyard is well-secured with a 6-foot fence for stress-free bathroom breaks, and my active lifestyle takes me on at least 2 longer walks each day, typically in the morning and evening. At a client's home, I pride myself on being highly adaptable to new routines and expectations, and my career as an editor makes me very attentive to details, e.g., medication needs, feeding times, sleep schedules, walk durations, etc. Whether you need someone to pop in and play with your pooch for an hour, or leave your animal at my home for a longer trip, you can rest assured they will be cared for, loved and pampered in a safe and comfortable environment.
A typical day
A typical day would include a long morning walk along the river, followed by some treats and playtime at the off-leash dog run at Crescent Park. Most afternoons are spent lounging in the shade of the backyard, with another post-lunch stroll in the sunshine, possibly to Markey Park in the Bywater. The day will wrap up with a second delicious meal, backyard exploring time once the heat of the day is done, and an evening of belly rubs and couch snuggles.
- Cats0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsCrate-trained dogs onlyJohn can host up to 2 pets per night
- All I ask if that you are transparent about any ongoing health needs or concerns, i.e., incontinence, blindness, deafness, or parts of the dog that may be particularly sensitive to touch or rubs. Making a dog uncomfortable is the opposite of my goal here, so the more info and context you can provide, the better!