Please fill out your pet's Rover profile and let me know a bit about your pet's personality, likes, dislikes. Do they like balls or sticks, toys? Does anything make them anxious? How do they like car rides? Crate trained? What are the words/gestures you use for basic commands? How are they on walks, around other animals, people including children, traffic? Are they reactive on leash, especially if they encounter small dogs, or big dogs, men in hats? Do they have to be encouraged to walk or do they pull on the leash? Instructions on how to put on/take off their harness? How long (time &/or distance) is their usual walk? Will they try to escape when I open the door? Are there any health/medical issues I should know about? Medication? Veterinary contact information? Vaccinations- which and up to date? Allergies? Acceptable treats? Food/treats to avoid? Anything else I should know about your pet? Emergency contact information? Including the above information on your Rover pet profile is extremely helpful. I may also provide an electronic or paper form for you to fill out. When bringing your pet for a boarding or daycare stay a blanket, toy or other familiar item from home can be helpful. In addition, something that smells of their human family like an old worn & unwashed t-shirt or sock can also help. Please include any food/meals required with instructions on amounts and timing for feeding. You may also include treats. I have treats as well so, again, please let me know of any allergies or if you prefer no treats be given. My treats may include carrot bits, dried yams or sweet potato, mini–Milk Bones, organic dog biscuits, etc. Occasionally, visiting dogs also snack on the kale or blackberries growing in my garden. *** Please be aware that I prefer to meet you and your pet before your first booking to ensure we are a good fit and to reduce stress for all parties. There is no charge for the meet and greet session. ***

My day varies depending upon whether I have walk, drop-in, boarding or daycare clients, sometimes I'll have just one client, sometimes one of each. During a boarding or daycare stay we usually alternate between active and rest periods. Typically, there will be time to explore the backyard while I water and weed with breaks to throw a ball or stick if your dog is so inclined. There will also usually be a walk in the neighbourhood checking out the smells and a possibility of encountering neighbourhood dogs, cats, deer, squirrels, and birds (including chickens). Occasionally there may be an opportunity to substitute the neighbourhood walk with an outing to local trails, beaches, farms or to pick up another dog for a walk in another neighbourhood. During indoor times we will explore all over the house, play with balls and other toys, check out the activities outside through the large front window and from the balcony, get a few treats and have time to lounge, rest, nap as needed. On a day I have a walk booked I will go to the dog's home, greet them, get leash/harness on and get out on our neighbourhood walk right away so as to maximize our walk time. We will explore the neighbourhood on our walk with brief stops for checking out the smells along the way. I try to time the walk so that we return with about 5 minutes left for taking off the leash/harness, wiping feet and a last pat/belly rub and treat if allowed. Drop-in visits usually consist of greeting the pet, letting out for a potty break (if a dog), feeding, checking / topping up water, checking litter box(es) (if cats), and talking to / playtime / sitting with depending upon the pet.