My focus is on rescues and the humans who rescue them. If you have a purebred dog that was NOT a rescue, please find another sitter! The dogs are usually ok but the people who buy dogs are sometimes not (no offense intended, just my experience & observation!) There are plenty of sitters who will take a purebred, I’m not one of them! If you are not a regular, for anything over one night, (especially holidays) I require a test daycare or one overnight. If you are new to me and would like to book a longer stay (2 nights or longer or a holiday), this will be required so we can make sure it's a good fit. If your dog shows any aggression toward other dogs, this would not be a good fit. Because of my rescue work, I have them in and out so would need to make sure your dog is completely good with all ages of dogs (some dogs just don't like puppy energy.) I can separate them but prefer not to deal with that for longer stays and/or holiday weeks. About me: I used to travel a lot for business and the worst was leaving my dogs. I always wanted people to send me pictures, texts, updates, etc. but rarely could get them so I GET IT!!! I send tons of pictures, possibly a bit overboard, I know how much it means to people who travel. I do everything that I used to want when I traveled!!! I grew up on a farm with all sorts of animals and have never been without at least one dog. I'm a dog lover & if I could, I'd have 100 dogs. However, in lieu of that, I help out those who have to travel & want to make sure their dogs are safe, cared for, & loved! I'm at home a great deal (not 24/7 but have cameras all over to watch them when I have to go out for a few), have a fenced property (back yard has 6 foot fence, front yard fenced separately with 4 foot fence, pool with a separate fence and a back lot that is fenced - like my own private dog park which you can see in some of my pictures). Your dog will have some doggy companions that love to play so your dog will also get exercise. My favorite dogs (& humans) are those with shelter/rescue pups, prefer those over bred/purchased dogs. Top 10 best fit dogs who: 1. Not overly needy & bark/whine incessantly especially if they need me around 24/7 - my nerves & neighbors won't like that! I spend a lot of time at home but I do have a life and can't spend every waking moment - if your dog doesn't get beyond the typical acclimation time and still whines or barks when I leave his/her sight, a better placement might be somewhere with someone who literally has nothing else to do. My dogs keep all guests company but if your dog is in need of constant human interaction and whines or barks otherwise, this won't be the best placement. If your dog does bark, you have to be ok with a humane bark collar so as not to disturb the neighbors or me. 2. Like or tolerate cats. The neighbor has many that roam and if a dog hates cats and barks at them, then it will end up barking a LOT! 3. Don't need a lot of medical attention. I don't mind giving a vitamin or pill daily (as long as it isn't a battle!) but if an animal is very medically challenged, I may not be the best fit. 4. Chill. My dogs (and regular stays) have zero aggression and are all about play. If your dog has any aggressive tendencies (apart from the normal growling to jockey for alpha position), this would not be the best place. Any aggression toward one of my dogs or me will result in my calling you to come get him/her. 5. Housetrained and won’t mark or pee in the house. If your dog is not house trained then I won't keep your dog in the house. If that's ok and as long as your dog won't jump or dig, then I can keep dogs outside in my safe yard with my dogs! This happens more when dogs are not fixed, I do require your dogs are fixed (over the appropriate age for that.) 6. Can be on the furniture and/or bed. If your dog needs to be crated and even worse, dogs that owners want crated but then they whine and bark while in the crate, that’s not a good fit. I prefer not to crate so if you require your dog to crate, another sitter would be a better fit! 7. Don’t chew and destroy things (fences, pillows, shoes, etc.) If I know about some things, I can proof the area but if I don't and your dog destroys something, you'll be responsible. 8. Can go off leash (we go to the park down the road and if your dog can't go off leash, he/she won't be able to go with us but will still get a lot of exercise at home.) 9. Generally easy to control (especially if they are very large and untrained). I'm fine with high energy, I'm fine with large, I'm not fine with unruly and difficult to manage. If your dog jumps up, that's not a good fit especially if your dog is large. 10. Sometimes it's the humans that are not a good fit - some examples: those that have many rules or requirements, the food needs to be in the refrigerator or freezer or have multiple things added to it, and/or don't honor the times agreed for drop off/pick up (I understand travel and extreme weather issues.) I make plans around those times and ask that you honor the times agreed upon for drop off and pick up within 15 minutes at the most, otherwise, I might not be able to keep the commitment. Please respect my time and I'll respect yours! If your dog has quirks, I'm ok with that - I'd rather know than to be surprised. I will do my best to accommodate your wishes but you can think of their stay here as a stay at grandma's house - they will be fed, safe, loved, and have plenty of play, maybe not exactly like you would do it. If that's not what you want, I respect that and suggest that another place may be a better fit. I would be honored to care for your babies and will treat them as good as I treat my own (some say better!) I have many repeats which is my favorite since they start to feel as if it's their second home and we develop a bond that their owners appreciate. When they arrive at my home, they don't even look back, just bound for the backyard to play! I live very central (on the east side on the way to the airport so easy for heading to the airport and dropping off/picking up.) I look forward to pampering your loved ones and providing them with a ton of exercise and companionship! Dogs need to be spayed/neutered (NO unaltered males except very young!) and on heartworm & flea treatment. My home is on a small creek and though I treat the yard, it's impossible to curtail all pests. Dogs who are not flea treated may not be able to prevent fleas anywhere. FYI - if my profile says I send pictures any less than 100%, that's false. The Rover system is faulty in that if someone cancels, it reduces that %, however, I can assure you that you'll get more pictures/videos than you may want :) I've been a successful sitter for a while and this list is the result of only a few very bad experiences. However, by and large, a very high % of dogs are joys to have here, have a great time, and are repeat stays. If you think we're a good fit, if your dog is pretty chill and loving, I look forward to meeting your animal babies. Last minute bookings are usually ok too!!! Meet my pets I rescue Blue Heelers (mostly focusing on deaf dogs) and they are very high energy and playful pups. They are all about the play time. Many people with dogs who initially nip, growl, or show any type of aggression are always pleased that my dogs simply ignore them and avoiding potential situations leading to a fight. All have commented on how it ultimately helps their dogs to be better socialized to be around my dogs because it teaches their dogs tolerance and acceptance in a safe and patient way. I also have outdoor cats who are very dog savvy. I can keep them separate but prefer pups here get along with cats. I rescued a cat who lives inside but is also very dog savvy and hides when a new dog enters until she knows they are friendly. If your travel plans have you dropping off or picking up before 7:30 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m., please book one more day. My own dogs have feeding/walking routines which will allow me to get that done before you drop off and I'm not a night person so prefer not to stay up waiting too late. Thanks for your understanding. I will do some pick-up and drop offs but only within a reasonable radius to my home. I don't like driving all over Austin for pick-ups or drop offs. If your criteria doesn't match what I have listed, no hard feelings. There are many sitters and someone will better meet your needs as I meet the needs of those who are mostly shelter/rescue dog lovers, who understand dog behavior and are looking for a great home for their dog to get a ton of TLC, get a ton of pictures and videos, and someone who loves dogs - then I'd love to have your fur baby/ies as a guest! This will also come in the first-timer's message: What to do to prepare for a stay: No need to bring anything but food and treats (in a bag, not in a big container if possible) - I have leashes, bowls, beds, crates and everything else. The less you bring, the less to keep track of. If you have a long-term stay, you can bring a shirt with your scent, a favorite toy, etc. If your dog is a ball fiend, bring some balls! It's easiest to put all of your pup's things in a bag with your/pup's name on it. It's best if you include a note with any special instructions as well as feeding instructions or write it directly on the bag. After you confirm, please text when you are on your way to give me about 15 minutes notice and I'll meet you at the gate. My house is sage green/mustard with a matching mailbox and a HUGE wine bottle tree in the yard. Make sure and park right in front of my house, not the neighbor's so I see you when you arrive. I have 4 separate spaces so I can have dogs in the groups where they thrive: Front yard has a 4 foot fence - I don't usually leave dogs out there without being here and watching (this is where the cats usually hang out but they have ways to separate themselves from dogs that don't like them). There is a doggy door and I teach new dogs to use that and they can go in and out as they wish. House that is dog friendly and has doggy gates so I can separate dogs for feeding. I have spent a lot of time developing this space to be a doggy oasis for fun and also an eye on safety! I work from home and am rarely away apart from walks. I spend a lot of time in the back letting the dogs run in my huge, high-fenced back lot. I am not away from home for longer than an hour, or at most 2 hours, and have ring cameras everywhere to be able to watch when I am away for an errand. A friend in the neighborhood also can shuttle you to the airport. He has his own small business (and is also a dog sitter) and partners with me to pick up customers and shuttle them to the airport then bring their dogs to me. If you are interested, let me know. You would just select pick-up and drop off and we can work on the details. It will save you a trip bringing your pup here and if you have an early flight, he can get you there on time and then bring the pup here so you don't have to get up earlier to drop off your dog. I work from home so am here all of the time, except for errands. When I do have to run downtown or anywhere for more than a couple of hours, a neighbor friend comes over to sit with the dogs. I have 4 separately fenced spaces: Front yard where I receive doggy guests. Backyard is completely shaded and has a covered deck with 2 ceiling fans and a mister fan PLUS mosquito netting - it's always over 10 degrees cooler and with the mister fan on, it's at least 15-20 degrees cooler. Pool that is also completely fenced. Dogs aren't allowed in without me being in there. Back lot that is fenced separately and is like a big private doggy park. I also don't leave them out back without being out there to watch them AND I have a camera system with every part of my yard on camera that I can watch while inside.