I grew up with dogs. My bothers had hunting dogs which were also our personal family pets. I learned a lot watching my brothers train their hunting dogs and I believe that made me a better pet owner. As an adult I ended up owning a small cattle ranch in Oregon. Of course our farm was the perfect place to have pets and eventually I started watching other people's dogs. We had a Black-Tri Australian Sheppard named Otis that loved keeping our guests company. I look back on those days and smile. All was good! I have since moved on and now live in the Portland area. My children are all raised, and grown up, and I needed to move closer in for work. I still have the same love for dogs and truly enjoy spending quality time with them. That is why I joined Rover and will always treat your pet as if he or she were my own. Having been a home owner myself with a dog, and farm animals, to put into consideration when thinking about a vacation or even a nights stay at the beach. I can realistically see the need for in-home pet care, and I fortunately can fill that need, leaving you with a sense of security so you can relax and enjoy yourself. Looking forward to being able to take care of your pet care needs! Best regards, Laurie