Rick & Laura A.
Rick & Laura A.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Rick and Laura Borrow Dogs
We're a husband-and-wife team who spent nearly 20 years with four beloved adopted pets, all with their own quirks, personalities and needs. In another life, Laura worked in veterinary hospitals and emergency care with plans of becoming a veterinarian. Life ultimately took her in another direction, but the love of animals stuck – and our own pets taught us plenty, too. Especially Winston. He came to us after a really tough start, fearful and reactive to just about everything. With the help of veterinarians and positive reinforcement–based trainers – and a whole lot of patience, play and love – he became the sweetest snuggler, constant shadow and one of the great loves of our lives. Now after saying goodbye to the last of our four, the house is just too quiet. We're not ready for new pets yet, but we miss that presence only an animal can bring. So, for now, we'd love to borrow yours. You get to travel knowing they're loved and well cared for, and we get the walks, cuddles and ridiculous personalities we've been missing.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
I’ve known Laura for years, and I can honestly say she’s one of the most caring, genuine people you’ll ever meet. Her love for animals isn’t something she puts on—it’s simply who she is. Every animal she meets is treated with patience, kindness, and so much love. I’ve seen firsthand how naturally animals are drawn to her. She has a calming presence and a special way of making them feel safe and comfortable. Whether it’s a playful puppy, a shy rescue, or an older pet needing a little extra attention, Laura gives each one the same level of care and affection. I would trust Laura with my own pets without a second thought. When they’re with her, I know they’re not just being looked after—they’re being loved like they’re her own. If you’re looking for someone who will care for your pets as if they were family, I can’t recommend Laura highly enough.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
One of us works from home, and the other is home frequently, so your dog will have lots of company throughout the day and rarely be left alone. Our schedules are flexible, making it easy to accommodate your dog's usual meals, medications, bathroom breaks, walks and bedtime routine. We know how much pets rely on the little rhythms they're used to at home...
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
We have no resident pets and welcome dogs from just one household at a time, so your dog(s) won't be sharing our home with unfamiliar animals. This can be especially great for dogs who are anxious, selective with other dogs, accustomed to being the only pet, or just simply more comfortable in a quieter environment. We both come from long careers in biotech, where safety and attention to detail are second nature. We bring that same mindset to caring for your dog – from medications and feeding instructions to gates, walks, weather, household hazards and the little things unique to your pet. Every new dog starts with a meet-and-greet so we can all get comfortable with one another before you travel. We want to understand what makes your dog feel safe, comfortable and at home – and we'll never push them into activities or situations that aren't right for them.
A typical day
A typical morning starts with a quick trip to the yard, followed by breakfast for the pets and coffee for us. We ease into the day with some couch cuddles and HGTV before heading out for a walk around the neighborhood. Then it's time to work from home, with plenty of naps, yard breaks and playtime mixed in. We're also pretty easily lured away from our computers when someone decides it's time to play… We love to walk and, weather permitting, regularly head out for 4-6 miles around the neighborhood. For dogs who enjoy a little more adventure, we also love exploring local trails. We'll always match the distance and activity to your dog's age, ability and what they're accustomed to – some dogs are up for five miles and others would much rather have five naps. Evenings are for dinner, maybe a gentle walk, winding down and plenty of couch time and cuddles. Some dogs want to be busy; others are perfectly happy snoozing nearby. We're pretty happy with either.
- 0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsDogs over 1 year oldSpayed and neutered dogs onlyNo females in heatTakes only 1 client at a timeRick & Laura can host up to 1 pet per night
- The more we know about your dog, the better we can care for them. We'll want to know about their routines, medications, diet, sleeping habits, fears and triggers, reactivity to other dogs or people, and anything we should watch for on walks or around the house. And please tell us the quirky things only you would know – if they eat socks, shred or swallow toys, raid the trash, chase squirrels, bolt through open doors, guard a favorite toy, hate thunderstorms, or have some completely unique "you should probably know this about my dog" behavior. Our intake form and meet-and-greet will walk us through the details together, so you don't need to remember everything at once. Those little things help us understand your dog and keep them safe, comfortable and happy while they're with us.