I am a dog-loving freelance copywriter living in a house with a garden. I have a dog-shaped hole in my life and so much love to give! At my family home, I was a primary caregiver for our toy poodle, named Elvis. I took on the full spectrum of dog care - regular brushing and bathing, daily teeth-brushing, energetic walking, day trips, vet visits and medicine administration. I miss having a furry friend so much and I am ready to pour all of that love and energy into becoming your dog's favourite hotel manager! Of course, I absolutely understand that boarding a dog is different from being an owner; different skills become extra important, including building communication, earning trust and offering security. One of my favourite ways to build trust with a new pup is to bring some tasty treats (ALWAYS in my pocket) and go through a few tricks like Sit or Shake that their owner can tell me they know. That way I show the dog that there can be a familiar kind of communication between us. I'm attentive to their body language and try to learn quickly what they value (maybe toys, treats or tummy scratches). It's so important to create that connection as soon as possible when planning to board a dog because we're often working with short timeframes before you leave your best friend in my care!