5.0

IMPORTANT ************************* Please read ALL of my profile before making a reservation request as what you see here supersedes my availability calendar, acceptance guidelines, and any other information you read on the rest of the site. If you don't read it, I'll know. Updated as of July 2024. THE BASICS ************************* - Dogs cared for in my home must be current on vaccines, potty trained, spayed or neutered (unless a puppy), and be appropriately socialized. If not, please consider care in your home in your dog's familiar environment.* ~ Nothing magical happens when your dog turns 12 months and 1 day old. Depending on behavior assessed at the meet & greet, guests may be charged the puppy rate up to 18 months old or even beyond. In other words, your pricing may be more than indicated in your initial reservation request but will be discussed and manually adjusted prior to booking and/or adjusted during the stay. Please don't hesitate to ask questions! ~ Your pet's profile must be completed, including vet and emergency contact info before I can schedule a meet & greet. ~ Rover's system does not distinguish between distances for Walk/Drop-Ins and Housesitting. As these are dramatically different services, I have the following limitations on each so as to maximize my efficiency: • Walk/Drop-in weekday ongoing services are available in these zip codes: 66206, 66207, 66208, and 66211 (northern border of 75th St; southern border of College Blvd; eastern border of State Line Rd; western border of Lamar). • Walk/Drop-in vacation/business services generally require a minimum of 3 visits/day for dogs and 1 visit/day for cats. Your pets are social creatures and deserve human companionship. I do not accept outdoor-only dogs or cats or indoor/outdoor cats. Lots of sitters do so please look for a better fit if those are your circumstances. No exceptions. For liability purposes, I do not "tag-team" with other sitters, neighbors, relatives, etc. • Walk/Drop-in services for new clients on a one-off basis must be requested in time for a meet & greet, which will be charged as a drop-in at the current rate. I do make occasional exceptions in case of emergency ie your current sitter needs to be replaced last minute. • Housesitting services vary somewhat depending on length of stay but are generally available from the Plaza south to 135th St and between Wornall & Antioch.** REGARDING HOLIDAYS *************** ~ Rover's system does not allow sitters to adjust which holidays are observed or for how many days around the holiday are priced at the holiday rate. I do NOT observe President's Day or Columbus Day as holidays. However, due to high demand, I DO observe Spring Break as a holiday period (dates change from year to year but are generally the middle two weeks of March). With the exception of Spring Break, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I do not generally price the entire stay around a holiday at the holiday rate but rather the holiday itself and the days before & after. In other words, your pricing may be more or less than indicated in your initial reservation request but will be discussed and manually adjusted prior to booking. Please don't hesitate to ask questions! ~ Holiday stays may require a 2-3 night minimum. ~ Holiday stays for new clients require a minimum of a 1-night trial stay prior to booking the holiday. SERVICES UPDATES ******************* ~ Now offering pickup and drop-off for our services, as well as trips to the vet or groomer, or to drop off pet food or treats. Services and pricing vary - ask for details. ABOUT ME **************************** If you’re like me, your pets are family members. When you can’t be home for them, whether it’s for work, vacation or other obligations, you want your best friends taken care of with the same love and attention you give them. I believe that most dog owners prefer loving homes to kennels for their furkids when seeking dog sitting services. I will give you the peace of mind you seek by providing your furkids with quality, loving care while you're away.* I am an experienced, life-long dog owner and dog lover. Whether your dog is shy or bold, young or senior, large or small, I will provide loving care for your best friend. My home has a large, fenced backyard so your dog will have plenty of room to run and play. Your dogs will get plenty of outside potty breaks, and even dog walking if requested. I have raised & trained several dogs of my own. I currently have only Sophie, my lab mix rescue. She's very sweet and social and good with other dogs. However, as she ages, I find it more and more difficult to accommodate large and/or high-energy, hunting, and doodle-type dogs. We love 'em but they will find a better fit elsewhere. I have also fostered dozens of dogs who have come from traumatic circumstances (shelters, hoarding situations, abuse, etc). I've never had a dog that I couldn't establish a rapport with. I don't discriminate against ANY breed but I confess I have a strong preference towards the happy, easy-going lab/golden personality. My size preference is 25 - 85 pounds in general but I'm flexible. Giants are great as long as they have nice house manners and I definitely love the tiny dogs as long as they're comfortable around medium & large dogs. Although I'm not a certified trainer, I know a great deal about training and canine behavior. I use only positive reinforcement and rewards and can continue any (positive) training program you have underway. We give lots of healthy dog treats, however we rarely feed table scraps and when we do only in their bowls (inhibits begging). We also use the NILF (Nothing In Life is Free) training regimen meaning we sit and wait politely before going outside or receiving meals and treats. This is excellent for high energy dogs who might tend to have impulse control issues. Our house rules are pretty relaxed - we allow our dogs on the furniture and free reign of the house, however if you would prefer your furkid stay off the furniture, just let us know. The only real non-negotiable is fixed length leashes. Absolutely NO retractable leashes or off-leash drop-offs or pickups. THE FINE PRINT, THE MISC, AND THE FOOTNOTES *********************** Covid-19 update: I am fully vaccinated/boosted and do not require masks. However, I am happy to wear one if you would like. *Dogs cared for in my home must be current on vaccines, potty trained, spayed or neutered (unless a puppy), and be appropriately socialized. If not, please consider care in your home in your dog's familiar environment. **For traveling sitter services, your home MUST be a non-smoking environment. NO exceptions. PLEASE NOTE: my first priority is to make sure Fido has the best possible fit. I consider many factors (including but not limited to Fido's age, level of training, manners/socialization, the mix of existing clients I already have scheduled, and my own resident furkid) when making that decision and that decision is final. There's absolutely no malice or judgment and I hope no one takes these circumstances personally. I will always err on the side of health & safety for my family and clients.