I got my first dog at age 12 and have been a dog-sitter for many neighbors and friends. We also have four guinea pigs that require more care than some dogs do! I moved to the Dacula area just over 5 years ago. Here, I provided drop-in visits for a neighbor who has since moved. This neighbor had the sweetest chow-mix dog “Clover” and an older cat “Angel”. Prior to this, where we previously lived, I was a drop-in caregiver to a beautiful yellow lab (“Bojo”) when his hooman mommy worked nights. And long before that, my husband and I house-sat for some friends who went abroad for two months; this included caring for their two golden retrievers (“Lucy,” and “Honey.”) We had our own dog, Emma Lou, for 15 years from the age of 2 to almost 17. She was a mini cockapoo. For the last year of her life, she was on many medications and her legs didn’t always work. We got her a wagon so she could still enjoy parks and the sights and sounds. She got tons of attention in her wagon, too! She still looked like a puppy so everyone thought she was such a pampered pet. Caring for her was a part time job but my time was well spent making her happy for the time she had left. After grieving for a year, we met our latest dog, Beau, a 6 year old golden doodle, after his hooman dad passed away suddenly. I know very well how important routine is to animals. I know how much they miss you when you’re not there, and the peace that comes from knowing your animal is well cared for when you can’t be there. I can’t stand disappointing an animal so I will always be there when I say I will.