I bring nearly a decade of professional experience with Rover alone paired with the decade and a half before while I house sat and provided pet care for family and friends. Pets have always been a passion for me. Often the pups labeled “shy” or “antisocial” warm up to me quickly. I tend to get along with new pets just like old friends and I treat my clients’ home like it’s my family’s, always trying to leave it better than I found it. Please note, literally everyone has different expectations and my goal is to make you and your pet happy as relaxed as possible, however I can ONLY meet or exceed those expectations if they're spelled out clearly and agreed to by both of us in advance. No surprises! • No kidding: ALL instructions must be in writing & on paper for both pets and the home before you leave for your trip. Simply, if it's not written down, it's not getting done! This especially goes for plants and trash day. And I LOVE doing all those little things, just write it down! • I also require full CARE INSTRUCTIONS in your pet's Rover profile. I am all about duplicity and CYA in case of emergency. Please & thank you for your cooperation! • Access: all clients need to have a realtor-style combo lock key box to leave a physical door key if you don't have one of those electronic door locks & a number code. My schedule is so busy and clients spread so far apart I don't have the ability to drive across town to get a key in advance of the booking and I'm not comfortable with a key under the mat or garage door opener under a pillow kinda thing. Both for my safety and yours I hope you understand that is a liability that is not worth the risk to me. You can purchase a combination key lockbox for ~$25 at most big box stores or Amazon and pretty easy to set and secure to your door or fence post, even if temporarily. • I always assume no guests so I would never invite someone into your home without your advance permission. • Because I'm staying in your home, there are basics that I would need to access: naturally a clean bed & linens, clean bathroom, space in your refrigerator and freezer, and use of your kitchen, coffee maker, and washer & dryer. I usually hand wash & air dry any dishes I use. • I also request that I be able to park in your garage, if you have one, for several logistical reasons, not least of which being safety for your animals while I unpack/pack my car, largely for my health and safety but also for your privacy and safety. Some of MY boundaries as a sitter: • Please let me know if Amazon or anyone else has access to your garage or key codes so a stranger doesn't give me a full panic attack. • I will NOT house-sit while anyone else is staying in your home. If you have a roommate that lives there who just doesn't wanna do it, they might be fine but I don't know them and I am not comfortable being unconscious and vulnerable around a complete stranger. • I do not drink alcohol nor use tobacco so I def don't care about any wine or expensive spirit collection. •I do NOT wish to house-sit if you smoke cigarettes. I hate them and I am EXTREMELY sensitive to cigarette smoke. I've had now two negative experiences with clients who supposedly smoke outside but when it came time to stay the home made me physically ill to be inside for any amount of time. Respectfully, cig smokers please do not send a request. • I'm very sensitive to toxic chemicals in general, specifically Febreeze, Airwicks, Bath & Bodywork's Airbulbs or any scented candles all make me very sick. If you use these please please please remove them at least the day before I arrive and put them in a bag outside until you return. If you don't, I will, so please understand this is for my health! • Please be sure that your start and end times for me are accurate in the booking details themselves before the start of your trip. If it needs to change, only so can adjust it so after you tell me what is needed it's only confirmed once I've changed it in the app. I actually rely on these to times to plan my everything day-to-day. • Traveling often means delays. I expect to need to be flexible so please message me an ETA when you are actually on your way. I do my best to always do the same for our initial meeting. • No bait and switch with expectations please. If your pet needs round the clock care and monitoring, that is extra care beyond what is included for my standard rate. Please communicate your needs AND your expectations during the meet and greet, not the night before or the day your trip starts. I've now had 3 clients tell me I could leave for errands so I agree and confirm the booking, only to commanded upon my arrival that I must not leave for any period of time and be expected cancel my other existing appointments, some of which are PAID bookings and medical appointments I waited months for. That is NOT acceptable. Round the clock care is absolutely an option if it is discussed in advance and booked at my "Puppy Rate" per calendar day. Feel free to inquire and be as detailed as possible. Being in the business so long I am very experienced in acting as something of a hospice nurse to pets in their last days or weeks when their family have unexpected or firm plans that were made well in advance and cannot be adjusted.