A Warm, Lively Home Where Dogs Are Loved Like Family!❤️ Welcome to a home that’s equal parts dog park, playground, and cozy family hub — full of energy, structure, and a whole lot of love. We are a high-energy family of six with kids ages 10, 9, 7, and 4, plus Marilyn’s brother, who previously worked at a veterinary hospital. Our house is lively, sometimes chaotic in the best possible way, and deeply experienced when it comes to dogs. Think: a cheerful mix of zoo, dog park, and kid-powered frat house — but backed by routines, intentional safety systems, and years of hands-on dog care. There is almost always someone available to: • Toss a ball • Offer a cuddle • Give a scratch behind the ears • Sit quietly with a pup who just wants company Our kids have grown up with dogs and understand respectful interaction. They aren’t fazed by zoomies, jumping, barking, or the occasional attempted granola-bar heist. While our home may not be the right fit for every dog, we’ve found that many pups — including anxious, nervous, or high-energy dogs — actually settle surprisingly well here. The constant positive stimulation, movement, affection, and structure often help dogs relax, play hard, and get the mental and physical engagement they need. For a closer look at daily life here, visit our Facebook page: Search: “Dogsitting with Marilyn.” ⸻ How It All Started — My Story I didn’t grow up with pets. My parents weren’t “animal people,” so when I moved out on my own, the first thing I did was foster a dog. My first foster, Nic, was an older terrier mix with a tiny-but-mighty anger issue and a long trauma history. He was my baby. Losing him to lung cancer while I was pregnant with my first child was devastating. On the drive home from saying goodbye, the rescue called asking if we could foster a four-month-old parvo puppy named Rocky who was fighting for his life. I agreed — with the firm intention that we would not be adopting him. I was wrong. Rocky became our second foster fail, and nearly 12 years later, he’s still thriving with his special diet and slow-feeder bowl. *Rocky passed away from cancer at 12 years old on May 24th, 2026- We are so grateful for our time with him. *Caring for both Nic and Rocky gave me deep, real-world experience with dogs who have medical needs, anxiety, and behavioral quirks. During the pandemic, we fostered a sibling pair of puppies and ended up keeping one — Viva, our third foster fail. She’s half Rocky’s size but absolutely the boss. Her quirky, anxious personality fits our household perfectly. At the time, Rocky was about six years old — and bringing a puppy into his life completely changed him. He became more active, lost weight, and was visibly happier. That’s when I really started seeing the value and emotional benefits of thoughtfully managed multi-dog households. ⸻ Drama Joins the Pack A few years later, a client told us about Drama, a four-year-old Bernedoodle with extensive professional training whose owner could no longer keep him. I truly believed my husband would never agree to a third dog. To my surprise, he didn’t just agree — he was enthusiastic. We hoped Drama might also be a positive emotional presence for one of our children who was struggling with severe anxiety. We agreed to a two-week trial. The first week was rough. Drama was timid, overwhelmed, and struggling to adjust. He had frequent accidents and didn’t seem to understand our routine. Then, on day eight, something happened that still gives me chills. While I was outside with the dogs, Drama became frantic and hyper-alert — completely out of character. I suddenly realized our front door was wide open. One of our children — just two years old at the time — was missing. He had pushed a barstool to the door, unlocked both locks, and made it all the way to our minivan without anyone noticing. I found him sitting silently in the third row in complete darkness. He had been outside for about two minutes. If Drama hadn’t alerted me, it could have gone unnoticed much longer. The next morning, my husband was ready to end the trial due to the accidents. I told him that if he wanted to return Drama, he would need to make the call himself. He gave Drama one more day. Drama never had another accident — not once. By the end of the second week, we both knew without hesitation: Drama was staying. Today, Drama is pushing seven but still plays like a puppy — quirky, sensitive, loving, and perfectly matched to our equally quirky family. ⸻ Medical & Care Experience Both my husband and I have medical backgrounds, which gives us added confidence and capability when caring for dogs who need: • Medications • Monitoring • Special routines • Extra patience or support ⸻ Our Pack Today 🐾 Rocky • Alaskan Malamute mix • Loud, dramatic bark (sounds scary — he’s not!) • Excited jaw chatter that can look intense but isn’t aggressive • Severe arthritis now well-managed with Adequan injections and Librela, which have been true game-changers 🐾 Viva • Small but mighty • Fiercely loyal once you’re “in” • Slow to warm up, then becomes your loving shadow • Pandemic pup with anxiety • Needs respectful greetings (sniff first, no surprise head-pats) 🐾 Drama • Bernedoodle • Plays like a puppy • Loves chasing, wrestling, trampoline time, and supervised chaos • Means well but can be socially awkward and sometimes comes on strong ✨ We understand quirky, anxious, imperfect dogs. As long as a dog is safe with kids and other pups, they’re welcome here. ⸻ Our Home Environment We’ve spent years intentionally building a home that is fun, structured, stimulating, and thoughtfully equipped for dogs of all personalities. Safety & Space Our home is designed with layered safety, visibility, and preparedness, so dogs can relax while owners have peace of mind. • Secure 6-foot privacy fence with locked gates • Dog windows for wildlife watching (deer included!) • Heavy-duty custom baby gates (store-bought gates didn’t survive our household) • Custom dog cave under the stairs with sound-dampening panels for storms, fireworks, and loud noises • Reinforced tornado-safe space built with fire- and mold-resistant drywall • Multiple crate sizes available for dogs who prefer a den-like space (one less thing to pack) • Hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home, each with battery backup in case of power outages (fully updated in 2025) • 15 security cameras throughout the property, allowing us to check in on dogs anytime we step away Enrichment & Comfort We focus on keeping dogs engaged, comfortable, and emotionally supported throughout their stay. • Ball launcher for high-energy pups • Tons of toys, puzzles, and enrichment activities • Amazon Alexa for calming music, white noise, or soothing playlists • Red light therapy equipment for relaxation or recovery • 20 air purifiers throughout the home to reduce allergens • Wide variety of treats, including chicken-free options • Frozen Kongs and interactive treat puzzles • Sandbox (a surprising favorite for many dogs!) • Slides and trampoline — yes, some pups genuinely love them (always supervised) • Dog-calming diffusers throughout the home • Plenty of outdoor seating… which the dogs sometimes allow us to use 😉 Cleanliness & Hygiene • Multiple robot vacuums and mops running throughout the day • High-traffic areas cleaned frequently to manage fur, mud, and messes • Clean spaces balanced with a comfortable, lived-in feel dogs can relax in Health & Emergency Preparedness • Fully stocked canine first-aid kit • Activated charcoal on hand in case of accidental ingestion • Experience administering medications and monitoring health changes • Calm, practiced response in unexpected situations