Maria & Terry H.
Maria & Terry H.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Playtime and Belly Rubs Await!
I’ve always loved spending time with animals and grew up caring for pets. Before adopting Kiki, a super friendly well-behaved Maltese/Poodle mix, I did thorough research and training and looked after friends’ dogs to ensure I was fully prepared for the responsibility. I work from home full time, which means I have ample time to engage with Kiki and any visiting pups. Our spacious, fully fenced front and backyards are perfect for safe supervised outdoor play. Dogs in my care are generally taken out for potty breaks at least every 4 hours if not more often. I also have experience administering medication and am comfortable providing extra exercise for energetic breeds like Border Collies.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Hima had a fantastic day with Maria and her family! They were such a welcoming hosts, even with our last-minute request. We’ll definitely be reaching out to them again for future occasions!
Thank you Maria, Terry and your entire family for taking care of Chocolate while we were away. Especially a big thank you to their family dog, Kiki, who kept Chocolate accompany every single minute while he was staying there. This is a wonderful family where everyone is loving and kind. Chocolate is a very shy and timid boy who does not do well with strangers. However he was well taken care of at Maria’s. I can tell he had a wonderful time there and we will choose them again if we have to go away again next time. I highly recommend this family if you need someone to care for your fur babies for a couple of days.
Maria and Terry were amazing sitters for our border collie, Gokoo, while we were away. From the very beginning, they made us feel comfortable and reassured, and it was clear Gokoo was in great hands. They took him on plenty of runs and walks to keep up with his high energy, and their kids loved playing with him. Gokoo also got along wonderfully with their dog, Kiki, which gave him a built-in playmate during his stay. We really appreciated that Maria and Terry kept us updated with photos and videos throughout his time there. It gave us such peace of mind to see Gokoo happy, active, and enjoying himself. When we picked him up, he was relaxed, cheerful, and cleaned, clearly well cared for. We are so grateful for the love and attention their whole family gave Gokoo and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for sitters who treat your dog as one of their own.
This was our first time having Kenji cared for by someone else. We were nervous as there was another dog in the house. Being a Shiba, he can be a handful for one who has never dealt with that breed. Maria and Terry were prepared at the first meet by doing some research first and being patient. Kenji enjoyed his time, especially the enclosed back yard where he could get out his puppy energy.
Maria and Terry are one of the most caring and responsible dog owner and caregivers. When my dog stayed with them, she got a lot of attention from the family. There’s a lot of room in the house and backyard for dogs to run around. My dog seemed to settle in very quickly. Maria and Terry have a lot of knowledge about dogs and is very detail oriented when taking care of my dog who wasn’t the easiest. They made a note a whether my dog was allergic to anything. Also, whether she’s good with another dog so they can make proper arrangements to ensure mine and their dog gets along and being safe with each other. I appreciate the level of care from Maria and Terry and would recommend them to anyone.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
At least one adult (me or my husband) will be home so your pup will never be alone! We are quite active so there’s lots of fresh air, walks and playtime every day. Our yard is big, fenced, and perfect for dogs who love to explore or zoom around. Inside, we have a spacious first floor where pups can freely hang out, and there’s plenty of room to play and relax. Pups are totally welcome on our couches, but we do keep all doggy guests on the main level for everyone’s comfort and safety. Our house is smoke-free, and our kids (12 and 13) are sweet and gentle with all our furry guests. They often join in on our walks and help with the potty chores. A typical day at the house is a longer walk in the morning before 7am, potty breaks and supervised yard playtime at 10am, 1pm, 5pm, and a night time stroll at 5pm or 8pm during hot summer days. Our neighbourhood is filled with dog-loving families and your dog will have the chance to meet lots of friendly neighbors on walks.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
Kiki’s breed is prone to skin sensitivities so I cook fresh salmon-based meals for her. If your pup has no allergies and you’re open to it, your dog is welcome to join in on our healthy homemade meals! I feed Kiki two meals a day, but can easily accommodate your pup’s schedule and/or special diet with instructions. I also have a crate if needed.
Pets
A typical day
We typically begin the day with a morning stroll and potty in the neighbourhood, followed by breakfast. During the day they can enjoy playtime with my dog Kiki, nap on the couch or attend Zoom meetings with me on my lap. I usually take them out for potty breaks every 3-4 hours depending on their needs and the weather. Dinner is served around 6pm, followed by a night stroll in the neighbourhood or nearby parks. There is a dog park within walking distance of our house.
- 0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbsDogs over 1 year oldSpayed and neutered dogs onlyNo females in heatCrate-trained dogs onlyMaria & Terry can host up to 1 pet per night
- As we have children living in the house it is important that your pups do not have any high or challenging behaviours. We will do our best to accommodate the pups needs but please let us know if there are any potential triggers or pet peeves that we should be aware of. A meet and greet is highly preferred for longer stays.