Laura D.
Santa Clarita, CA
a dog's life shouldn't be ruff!⛰️☀️
Pet care experience
Hey there, it's nice to meet you! Born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area, I've been helping out friends and family with their dogs for most of my life in addition to spending time with them whenever I am around them. I spent dozens of hours volunteering as a dog-walker at my local animal shelter during the covid-era, and completed the basic dog behavior courses required to do so. I absolutely love all animals and being out in nature, and take every possible opportunity to enjoy them (and they are even better together!). Much like a dog, I too require daily walks. Although I haven't really had any pets of my own since our small family dog when I was a kid, I have experience with many different breeds and almost always lived with dogs ever since (they just belonged to my roommates). I'm a highly energetic individual with a lot of patience, and would love to take your pup on a walk, light jog, out on a hike, or even just play fetch in the yard (depending what type of activity they enjoy), and if they're not into exercise, I'm totally down to cuddle and give them lots of good scratches! I've given the basic twice-daily scoops of dry food at feedings, to "gourmet" cooked dinners (as requested by the owner's recipe), to hiding prescribed medications in treats, and everything in between. It is not uncommon for dogs to feel sad while their parents are away. I will do everything I can to make sure they feel loved and cared for until they warm up to me by following the routine you set up for them. I also loveeee taking photos as a hobby and have had the joy of photographing many pups over the years, and their parents always seem to appreciate the visual updates of their fur-babies while they're away! Let me capture your next phone background or screen-saver. 😍 (Check out more of my photos on Instagram @adogslifeshouldntberuff) (I have some experience with cats as well, but due to my allergies, my time with them has been limited. I am more than happy to help out with them too if needed, but I probably won't cuddle with them much!)
Cat care experience
Laura also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Reviews
Laura is a superb dog sitter. We left her with 2 3 month old puppies, 2 older dogs who take medication and a hyper 3 year old golden retriever. She clearly cared about each dog’s personality and needs. She sent loads of pictures and was extremely attentive. We came home to happy and healthy dogs. Laura has a lot of energy but also knows when to cuddle the pups. She is now the only one I want to leave my fur babies with! L
Laura was wonderful. She was very friendly, great with my dog, took him for long walks and sent me updates and photos throughout my trip. Really proactive, she asked great questions, and I was confident that my dog was in great hands with her. 100% will book again.
Laura is our favorite person to stay and take care of our babies when we are away! They are all super excited to see her when she arrives. We get lots of pics and videos showing they're getting lots of love and playtime. When we arrive home it's clean and tidy, as if we'd never left. I can't recommend Laura enough if you're looking for an honest, thoughtful, and dependable person to be there for your home and pets when you can't be.
Laura has been amazing watching my two goldens when I am gone. She takes them out, gives them so much love, is always very responsive and communicative with me. She is a go to when I know I may need help watching them or simply checking in on them during the day to make sure they get to go outside, chase their ball and have some treats. She is a favorite and I cannot recommend her enough!
About Laura D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Unfortunately I cannot offer my home to your pet as I do not reside in a dog-friendly environment, but I am happy to keep them company in the space they feel most comfortable- their/your home! I will treat your place with respect as though it were my own while following your rules when under your roof.
Information Laura D. would like to know about your pet
Specific times, routines, activities, and expectations that your animal has of you (and therefore of me). I need to know how much food they eat/how to prep it, if there are any prescribed medications or vitamins that need to be given, how many treats they are allowed to have and when they are allowed to receive them, along with any other praise or quirky rewards they may get for good behavior, as well as what types of behavior are unacceptable so I do not promote bad behavior (such as whether or not they are allowed on furniture), and how to discipline them. Do they get along well with other people and other dogs, and do you allow them to greet strangers when out for a stroll? It is also useful to know where to find things in the home like extra supplies, leash/collar/poop bags, who to contact in the event of an emergency if I cannot reach you, and where the nearest vet is located. Let me know if your dog has any special needs that need to be taken into consideration ahead of booking. For house-sitting assignments and recurring dog-walking services, we can discuss a meet-and-greet to make sure your pet(s) think I'm a good fit for them. While I do have a little bit of experience with dogs that have various behavioral issues, you are still the person who knows them best and your insight is extremely important. Some examples include separation anxiety or a history of aggression/biting. I do not have much experience with senior dogs that are not faring well health-wise and while I am open to learning, you will have to explain to me exactly what your pet needs and what to do in case of an emergency.
A typical day
You tell me! This totally depends on your routine and your pet(s). If you have a pup that is highly active, we can hop in the car and head to a hiking trail or jog around the block first thing in the morning. If they are more of a relaxed type, we can go for a mellow walk around your community and go sunbathing on some grass somewhere. My intention is to treat your dog exactly as you would, and follow the routines they are used to.
Services
Laura can watch in your home
Availability
My clients (your pets) are my number (#) one (1) priority. I can be as present as needed during the days I am hired, although I may require some flexibility to leave your property for up to a few hours at a time to handle personal emergencies/obligations or chores if necessary. If this is the case, I will notify you. In between committed clients, I spend my free-time traveling and hiking around the country, and working from my laptop.
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About Laura D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Unfortunately I cannot offer my home to your pet as I do not reside in a dog-friendly environment, but I am happy to keep them company in the space they feel most comfortable- their/your home! I will treat your place with respect as though it were my own while following your rules when under your roof.
Information Laura D. would like to know about your pet
Specific times, routines, activities, and expectations that your animal has of you (and therefore of me). I need to know how much food they eat/how to prep it, if there are any prescribed medications or vitamins that need to be given, how many treats they are allowed to have and when they are allowed to receive them, along with any other praise or quirky rewards they may get for good behavior, as well as what types of behavior are unacceptable so I do not promote bad behavior (such as whether or not they are allowed on furniture), and how to discipline them. Do they get along well with other people and other dogs, and do you allow them to greet strangers when out for a stroll? It is also useful to know where to find things in the home like extra supplies, leash/collar/poop bags, who to contact in the event of an emergency if I cannot reach you, and where the nearest vet is located. Let me know if your dog has any special needs that need to be taken into consideration ahead of booking. For house-sitting assignments and recurring dog-walking services, we can discuss a meet-and-greet to make sure your pet(s) think I'm a good fit for them. While I do have a little bit of experience with dogs that have various behavioral issues, you are still the person who knows them best and your insight is extremely important. Some examples include separation anxiety or a history of aggression/biting. I do not have much experience with senior dogs that are not faring well health-wise and while I am open to learning, you will have to explain to me exactly what your pet needs and what to do in case of an emergency.
A typical day
You tell me! This totally depends on your routine and your pet(s). If you have a pup that is highly active, we can hop in the car and head to a hiking trail or jog around the block first thing in the morning. If they are more of a relaxed type, we can go for a mellow walk around your community and go sunbathing on some grass somewhere. My intention is to treat your dog exactly as you would, and follow the routines they are used to.
Location
Santa Clarita, CA
Laura D.
Santa Clarita, CA