I know dogs, "get" who they are and can work with the particular personalities that comes with the territory of dogdom. I’ve always had a dog of my own growing up and have plenty of experiencing taking care of foster dogs throughout my life. At our home currently are two dog loving adults and one very friendly Lab mix named Rio. She is well socialized and plays well with our canine visitors. In our home, dogs receive lots of attention, have lots of opportunity to play, and become a regular member of our household. We love taking new dogs in to sit and have made our home very friendly to new furry friends. I am semi-retired, so home much of the time. When we have a Rover dog with us, we take time getting to know him or her. We have a dog door installed and I enjoy teaching dogs how to use it, since once they figure it out, they are in and out at will and seem very happy about such freedom. Our yard is fully fenced, so on good days, we spend much of our time outdoors. There are various toys scattered around the yard that are available for free use to your pup’s heart’s content! We also live near two beautiful parks where the dogs can go for long walks. We try to make every stay a dream come true for your best friend, and a welcoming environment is a big part of that. In addition to the fun that we’ll be having, we are also big on safety and schedules. I keep visiting dogs in visual range always to keep them safe and following the rules of our household as well as the owners' rules for their dogs. We typically like to know about what kind of schedule you keep your pup on because it helps us keep stays regimented and familiar. During a stay, we will also keep in regular communication by way of text and picture messages to let you know how your pup is doing and what we’ve done for the day. When I am not petting sitting, I work part time facilitating bereavement groups at the local hospice organization. I find the work very enriching, because there is so much love there. In addition, I enjoy time with my horse, a Clydesdale-Thoroughbred cross. She is a gentle, sweet giant of a horse and my personal therapist. I also play bass in an Appalachian string band, and I call dances for contra dance. And, of course, I take long daily walks with my dog.