Nicola C.
Nicola C.
Prices include all fees.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Friendly couple home during the day
We've both grown up around dogs and have never really been without one in the family. Between us we've looked after everything from bouncy young labradors to elderly dachshunds who mostly want a slow potter and a warm spot to sleep. Friends and family have relied on us for years to feed, walk and check in on their dogs, including ones who needed medication at set times and a few who took a bit of winning over. We're comfortable with dogs of any size, and we're patient with the nervous ones. Some dogs take a couple of visits before they decide you're alright, and that's fine. What we'd say sets us apart is availability. Harry works flexible hours from home, and I’m at home most weekends, so we're genuinely around during the day rather than fitting things in around a commute. Your dog isn't waiting hours between visits or being rushed round the block. We're also in a good spot for it. Ruislip has proper green space on the doorstep, so walks are actual walks. Mostly though, we just like dogs and we'll treat yours the way we'd want ours treated. Tell us the routine and we'll stick to it.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
We've both grown up with dogs and regularly look after friends' and family's dogs, so we're used to the small things that make a dog feel settled somewhere new. Our home is quiet. We have no other pets and no young children, so there's nothing competing for your dog's attention and no unexpected introductions to manage. The floors downstairs are hard and easy to clean, which takes the stress out of muddy paws and the occasional accident. The garden is fully enclosed and secure, and we check the boundary regularly. We keep the front door and the garden gate as separate zones so there's no chance of a dog slipping out while someone's coming or going. We're comfortable with dogs of any size, and happy with puppies, older dogs and anyone needing medication at set times. Just tell us the routine and we'll keep to it exactly, because dogs settle far better when things happen the way they expect. Harry’s family dog has hip issues and epilepsy, so we’re experienced with handling medication.
Ratings and reviews
Percy enjoys going over to Nicola and Harrys house! It's nice that there is a couple there to take care of Percy. Percy loves to sit on the couch and go into the backyard!
I can't recommend Nicola enough. She takes care of my golden retriever for both walks and day stays, and I always feel completely at ease leaving him in her hands. He has epilepsy and needs medication on a strict schedule, and she's been so reliable and careful about administering it every time - no reminders needed. That kind of responsibility means everything to me as a pet parent. Beyond the medical care, she genuinely loves my dog and it shows. He's always excited to see her, comes home happy and worn out from good walks, and she keeps me updated with photos and messages throughout our time apart. It's clear she treats him like her own. She's a five-star sitter in every sense, and my golden and I are so lucky to have her.
My husband and I were planning a trip away for the weekend so we came across Nicola's profile. Nicola is a professional, handled communication very well and was was thorough with questioning us on what Freedom might need in advance. She was very sweet when meeting Freedom and you could see he was upset to say goodbye. Will definitely be booking in the future :)
I reached out to Nicola last minute and she was really accommodating, fitting my dog in with barely any notice. He seemed completely at ease with her from the start, and she sent updates throughout the stay that put my mind at rest. I’d absolutely book with her again.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
We're Harry and Nicola, based in Ruislip, and between us we've got good daytime availability during the week. Harry works flexible hours from home, day care and walks all fit comfortably around the working day rather than being squeezed into a lunch break. For walks, we're happy to work around whatever suits you, whether that's a regular slot at the same time each day or something more ad hoc when work runs late. We're on the edge of some genuinely lovely green space here, so walks are proper walks rather than a quick loop round the block. Day care is at ours, and because Harry is home during the weekday, and I’m home most weekends, so your dog isn’t left alone - we’re flexible either way.
- 0 to 7 kg7 to 18 kg18 to 45 kgover 45 kgNicola can host up to 3 drop-ins per day
Prices include all fees.