5.0

ABOUT US Hi! I'm Melissa and my husband, Dan, and I are excited to watch your pup like they are our own. When you're searching for a sitter, I completely understand the anxiety of leaving your beloved pet with a stranger, and I have been there before! We will make you and your pet comfortable by allowing you to tour our home and yard to make sure that everything meets your expectations. Meet-and-greets are required for all stays (non-negotiable) to allow me time to learn every aspect of your care routine, make sure your baby is comfortable with us, as well as give you time to ask any questions you may have. WHY US / WHAT THE HECK IS CAMP CHARLIE? The most important thing, to me, is we only take one client at a time (two dog guests are okay, as long as they are from the same family). This ensures that your dog receives the undivided attention they deserve. You will not have to worry about other dogs with behavioral issues, age-discrepancies, or not enough supervision. I see sitters that accept 6+ dogs per day, which can be okay for many dogs, but we operate as a small family and not a daycare. Please consider your comfort level with this when meeting with other sitters. Another important distinction is that my husband and I both work at home full-time. That means we are not leaving your pet alone in an unfamiliar place for several hours per day. We are not a kennel and we do not operate like that. Your dog gets 24/7 care and attention. Of course, there are times where we go out to dinner or may have the occasional birthday party (any plans will be disclosed to you before booking), but for the most part at least one of us will be home 24/7 with our guest. We own a single-family home with a secure fenced-in yard and no children in our home. You do not need to worry about dog-child interactions, nor multiple flights of steps for your senior dog to an apartment, nor your pup having to be constantly leashed to go outside (unless we are instructed to to so). We have 15 years of experience caring for pets, 7 of those years have been professional experience with clients through Rover. We only book directly through Rover, even for repeat clients - I understand there is a small fee on both sides, it is worth it to me to be covered by the Rover Guarantee and to ensure accountability by all parties in our professional relationship. One of our beloved clients, Julia, started calling us Camp Charlie! It is the namesake of our beloved 15 year old beagle/rat-terrier mix, Charlie. His dog-hosting career spans multiple years and we are so thankful for all of the friends he's made and wonderful dogs we've brought into our life. We are now called Camp Charlie to commemorate his retirement. SAFETY Safety is extremely important to us. If the dogs are ever unsupervised inside, we separate them. Our dog will be in our bedroom and our doggy guest gets the run of the rest of the main floor, unless you instruct us to use a kennel. We never leave the dogs outside unsupervised, even though we have a fenced yard. Doors to stairways remain closed to prevent falls, especially for puppies and senior dogs. We will only give pet parent approved treats and follow dietary guidelines. ACCOMMODATIONS We have a fenced back yard (and a dog pool for hot summer months). Our neighborhood backs to Trailwoods Park for short walks, or we're only a 5 minute drive to Woodland Sports Park or the Rec-Plex if your dog is used to longer treks. Doggy guests free roam, are allowed on furniture, and allowed to sleep in our bed. The only restrictions would be if a pet parent does not allow this behavior at home. We are animal lovers and will make your dog feel comfortable and right at home. Just tell us your preferences and we will be great pet parents while you are away! EXPERIENCE Dan and I have over 15 years of experience (including 7 years on Rover), not only caring for Charlie since he was a puppy, but hosting dogs of various ages, breeds, and medical/behavioral conditions. To give you an idea of our experience, we happily host puppies, young, adult, and senior dogs. Please note puppies must be at least 16 weeks old, vaccinated, and potty-trained (outdoor or puppy pads). We are comfortable with giving oral medications (tablets, capsules, chewables, liquids, etc.), injected medication, and eye drops/ointments. We have cared for dogs with conditions including: general anxiety/separation anxiety, vision and hearing impairments, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. We understand the importance of sun-safety for hairless breeds as well. PREFERENCES In order to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for everyone involved I always require a Meet & Greet before accepting a stay.