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Laura S.

Westmont, AL

6 reviews
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Caring, conscientious, mature

Pet care experience

I've been dog sitting for friends for 10+ years and I love doing it, but until October of 2016. I hadn't had my own dog in a long time. One October morning, I saw a dog in my yard. She was skittish and her ribs were showing, and she had been through my garbage looking for something to eat. She had on a collar, but I couldn't get close enough to her to get a look at it to see if there were tags that might provide me with a phone number. I tried to slowly and gently approach her, but she ran off. This happened several times over the course of the day. On the third day of this, I bought some dog food and a bowl and put it in the yard for her, along with a bowl of water. She would come and eat, but still wouldn't let me get near her. After 3 weeks, she started following me around the yard, and after 4 weeks I was able to pet her and look at her collar. She had one tag, which said Precious, but no phone number or any other information, and no one responded to the "dog found" signs I put up on my street, so I have to assume somebody dumped her. Once I was able to actually interact with her, I bought her a few chew toys, a rope dog toy for tug of war, and some toys we could play fetch with. She didn't know how to play with any of them. She didn't even known how to fetch. It broke my heart, and I started teaching her. She was also very hyper and liked to jump on me and nip at me with her sharp little teeth, so we had to work on doggy manners. I took her to my vet, who said she's about a year and a half old. He agreed that she'd probably been abused (the pronounced skittishness) and abandoned. She had some worms, so we got rid of those, got her all her shots, and she checked out fine, otherwise. Fast forward to almost 4 months later, and she has put on weight, her skittishness is improving, she knows how to play now - and loves to - and her manners are improving. We've worked hard to accomplish all that and I couldn't be more pleased! I have cats and wasn't sure how a dog would work out with them, but we're making the transition pretty well. She wants to play with them, but the're not quite there yet! What a lovely unexpected gift my Precious turned out to be! If you trust me with your pet, I will treat him or her like my own. He or she will get the same love, care, and attention that Precious gets from me.

Reviews

mark P.
Mar 26, 2017

Laura is a grown woman semi retired counselor, who has gingerly and lovingly dealt with Human animals for 20 some years. She is an avid pet lover and could probably cure your dogs nuerosis and i kid you not if she put her mind to it. Laura is a very resposible honest , a beacon if you will of compassion and care for all sentient beings. I would trust my children with her not to mention my dog or cats. Hire Laura and rest assured there will be nothing but professional pet care

Michele W.
Mar 14, 2017

Laura & I are high school friends that lost touch with one another after graduation. We reconnected 4 years ago, & she came to my house for a visit. I have 2 male cats that are both somewhat skiddish when it comes to people but especially people they've never seen. On that very first visit, we were sitting on the porch talking, & they both started coming around cautiously​. All of a sudden, one of them jumped up in her lap & stayed there the whole time. He has never done that before & has not done it since to anyone else. Whenever he sees Laura, he's content just to lay there in her lap & sleep. Laura has access to my house, & helps me out with feeding if I have to work late or caring for them if I have to be out of town. With the exception of myself, the only person that my cats will allow to pick them up & hold them or that will come if she calls them, is Laura.

Anne P.
Mar 14, 2017

Hello!! I have literally known Laura Staples all my life. She has always displayed a love for animals. Laura is kind, patient and very responsible. She enjoys sharing time with her own pets and I know she would love to pamper yours. I have seen the way she interacts with animals on their terms and treats them like little (or big as the case may be) family. I would recommend her with out hesitation to care for your pets .

Joyce B.
Mar 12, 2017

Laura is caring and responsible. She has had many dogs and cats of her own and is quite knowledgeable about their care. She truly loves animals and would be an excellent pet sitter or dog walker. I would have no hesitation welcoming Laura into my home to care for my pet.

About Laura S.

Communication

100% response rate
Usually responds in within a few hours

Skills

10 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Senior dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Information Laura S. would like to know about your pet

I like to know a dog's personality before I sit with him/her, any special needs they have, if they warm up quickly or take a little time, if they are high energy or more mellow, I like as much information as I can get to ensure a smooth and happy experience.

A typical day

Your dog can expect lots of love, attention, and play time if left in my care. I am happy to accommodate your pups' regular routine so that he or she will be as comfortable and happy in your absence as is possible. Leave me instructions and I will follow them to the letter.

Services

House Sitting
in your home
AWAY
Drop-In Visits
visits in your home
AWAY
Dog Walking
in your neighborhood
AWAY

Laura can watch in your home

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs

About Laura S.

Communication

100% response rate
Usually responds in within a few hours

Skills

10 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Senior dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Information Laura S. would like to know about your pet

I like to know a dog's personality before I sit with him/her, any special needs they have, if they warm up quickly or take a little time, if they are high energy or more mellow, I like as much information as I can get to ensure a smooth and happy experience.

A typical day

Your dog can expect lots of love, attention, and play time if left in my care. I am happy to accommodate your pups' regular routine so that he or she will be as comfortable and happy in your absence as is possible. Leave me instructions and I will follow them to the letter.

Location

Mobile, AL

Laura S.'s Neighborhood

Pets

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Laura S.

Westmont, AL

6 reviews