Being around animals is simply what makes me the happiest and healthiest! There’s something about their loving spirit and giving personalities that always makes me feel right at home. In fact, that’s exactly what inspired me to become a dog sitter in the first place! Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to give back to animals, so being a pet sitter is a dream come true for me! I have over ten years of experience with taking care of animals, and I’m so excited to expand ever outwards. I can’t wait to meet you and your best friend! With my decade+ of experience in pet care, I’ve worked with dogs in several different capacities. I’ve been a long-time dog walker and dog sitter, and have taken care of dozens of clients. I typically work with recurring clients, and have been with some families for over two years a piece. In addition to sitting and walking responsibilities, I’ve also been a volunteer at the Buddy Foundation, which is a local shelter. It was a great experience, and I learned all about dealing with anxious or aggressive dogs, and how to make them feel right at home. I bring those lessons with me to every booking! When taking on a new client, I typically like to schedule a meet-and-greet. It’s a great way to make sure that we’re all a good fit for one another, which is so important to me. Likewise, it gives us the opportunity to chat face-to-face about your pup and your care expectations. No one knows your dog better than you do, so it’s always great to chat with owners in person about what makes their pup tick! Finally, I just love meeting new dogs! I like to get down on their level to show them that I’m a welcome presence here to make friends, and I’m sure we’ll be best buddies in no time at all. I know how difficult it can to be away from your best friend. It’s my job to make you feel like you never left their side in the first place! To that end, I believe in excellent communication. I am happy to take copious notes on anything that you need to be kept in the loop on. From exercise times to meal prep, nothing is too small! All of my notes will be summarized into a detailed daily update, where you’ll be able to see just how much fun we’ve had during the day. Of course, every update will include tons of photos of us having a blast! I wake up really early in the morning for exercise which can also include your dog if they like to be active in the early morning. Dogs are outside & fed at a decent time. I then do chores and run errands as they take a mid-morning snooze. We go outside for a walk, to play ball, or for a car ride to the pet store or forest preserve. Then, there is dinnertime, a walk, & some TV time to relax before bed. We will wake up early and have a full day of sunbathing in the yard, playing with toys, going for walks, and getting some training in for mental stimulation. There will be time for your pup to get a little snooze in mid-day as I run errands and do some chores. Sometimes, I will take them along with me to the pet store, nature center, Home Depot, or HomeGoods which are all pet-friendly. We will grab the mail and packages, check on the garden, clean up and care for small pets, and spend a lot of time outdoors.