There was never a moment growing up that I was not surrounded by dogs. My family has rescued multiple dogs, rehomed others and kept some permanently. Dogs really add so much to my life. I was without a dog for about two years when I first moved out on my own and I was just miserable -- I just wanted to be surrounded by dogs again! I’ve always had at least two dogs in my life. I consider myself to be easy going and level-headed when it comes to dealing with dogs and people. Dogs have always been a passion of mine and I believe I understand the way they work and adjust my actions accordingly. Even if a difficult situation arises, I have no issue maintaining a sense of calm and I’ve had a wide variety of experiences with all temperaments and sizes of dogs, including rescues and senior dogs and pups with special needs who needed extra care. I believe this attitude and experience makes me a reliable choice when choosing a caregiver for your pup. I want everyone to feel at ease, so I will do everything in my ability to accommodate owners and their furry companions. As far as breeds go, I have mostly owned mixed breeds. I did have two Australian Shepherds growing up that I just adored -- they are a special breed because of their herding/working instincts. I believe this experience helps, because understanding what a dog is bred for can help decode certain behaviors. I also have worked as a volunteer at various humane societies. My boyfriend and have a 12-year-old dachshund mix, JoJo. We go out to potty first thing in the morning (5 a.m. during the week and 7 a.m. on weekends). Depending on your pup’s feeding schedule this is also likely when I would give them their first feeding of the day. After that, I head out to work and I’m back in the early afternoon, so your pup won’t be alone for long! I live in a roomy, 2-bedroom apartment and there is a dog park on the property. It’s also a large property that has a lot of walking trails far from the road. JoJo is a sweet and calm dog, and as a senior pup, he does sleep most of the day. He came from a foster home with 12 other dogs and cats, so he is very comfortable around other animals. I love being outdoors and we like to take JoJo out to patio areas and relax outside. JoJo doesn’t stay out too long, but I’m happy to head out for a stroll around the neighborhood or to one of the nearby trails with your pup.