I think I met dogs before I was even born––many say babies in utero can hear and feel what’s happening outside the womb––because it’s almost like a spiritual connection. My parents had several dogs before I came into the world and I honestly feel like they were a part of me before I took my breath. I know I heard them barking and my Mom cooing or humming while snuggled up with them. I got my first dog when I was one and we essentially grew up together. I have always had dogs in my life and love them fiercely. Since I was a child, I cared for the pets in the community while their owners were away at work or out of town. As a teenager, I wanted to spend more time with animals and got an opportunity to live/work and learn at an animal rescue shelter where I spent every waking moment with the animals. I spent three years learning everything I could about how the shelter was run as well as the basic medical care the different animals needed and training. As an adult, I’ve continued spending as much time with animals as possible. I took some veterinary courses, interned with animal services for a semester, and worked as a groomer and kennel attendant at a dog boarding facility. For a year I even helped the homeless community when they had sick or injured animals or care for their animals with special needs. I will treat every dog as if they were my own. I have many years of experience caring for a variety of animals large and small, and especially enjoy working with younger animals and animals that still need training. Currently I have my own dog, a lizard, and share a horse with a friend. My own dog goes with me everywhere. We’ve been together for 12 years and are nearly inseparable. I honestly can’t imagine my life without dogs. Again, it’s as if my spirit was fused with them from birth. My pup and I have had many wonderful adventures over the years camping, hiking, spending time on farms and ranches, swimming in the creek, and playing at the beach. We've even ridden a jet ski together at Folsom Lake. We've spent countless hours of down time just laying in the grass together, and I hope to have more opportunities to share this time with more dogs. I like to provide dogs with a lot of mental and physical stimulation during daytime walks to help them stay calm when they are home alone. I offer dogs a chance to have freedom and explore new areas during their walks and encourage group play. I think a lot of dog sitters assume the act of walking them is enough, when in fact dogs need more interaction. It’s really about looking into their eyes and connecting. It’s about communicating with them, even if it’s in a made-up language. This isn’t just a job or a hobby––it’s really a part of who I am as a person. I take great pride in my relationships with dogs and other animals, and I’m confident this will come through during my care. I have an open schedule, so my other work does not interfere with my ability to pet sit. I’m honest, reliable, attentive, and compassionate. Your pup’s safety, health, and happiness will be my main priority. I may do such a good job that your pup won’t even know you’re away.