Please let me know if your pet has any behavioral traits that I should be on the lookout for or if they require any kind of extra care/attention/support (beyond the ordinary, standard pet care typically provided and beneficial). For example, if your pet has a tendency to chew on/attempt to eat or destroy certain items (like, if your dog loves to find socks and rip them apart or if your dog has a tendency to dig through the trash), or if your pet is struggling to break a naughty/unacceptable act (like going potty inside of the house or having accidents even while sitting on the furniture), please make sure to share this so that I can watch for these behaviors and so that I may exercise the proper care and prevention/response techniques. Similarly, if your pet has a tendency to want to bolt (or is strategic and sneaky) as soon as they see an open door, it would be helpful to be aware of that so I can be extra cautious whenever I have to open the door to grab a package or run out to the garage. Overall, please just be open and detailed as to how you provide care for your pet in your home and what is typical as well as helpful in your household. I appreciate any instruction or guidance you can share with me so that I can do my best to make your pet feel comfortable, safe, happy, and at ease under my care. If there is a nighttime routine you have with your pet, if your pet requires extra potty breaks, if your pet needs encouragement and company to eat meals, if your pet needs to regularly be directed towards the water bowl because they forget to drink as much as they should, if your pet gets really anxiety when the bathroom door is closed.... whatever the case... don't hesitate to inform me of whatever I can do to make your pet's stay a smooth and enjoyable one.

DOGS: With my dog guests, I try to give them a lot of yard time throughout the day, taking them out to my fenced backyard so that they can play, run around, soak up the sun, get some exercise, sniff and smell the grass/plants for as long as their heart desires, get fresh air, and use their energy to get the excited zoomies out multiple times throughout the day (as well as, of course, have ample potty breaks and bathroom time). As I work from home, designating a whole lot of yard/outside time is very easy and more than manageable on a regular basis. I don't leave any dogs outside unsupervised or alone. I'm sure to go outside into the yard with them and stay with them at all times, making sure to keep an eye on them and make sure they are safe during backyard time. Additionally, I often play Bluey for dogs in my care on the TV as many seem to really like (and respond) to that show. I've noticed that most dogs are attentive/turn to watch the screen when Bluey comes on. In my experience, having that playing in the background appears to provide comfort, help the dogs relax and be entertained/engaged, and it's another activity they can take part in during downtime. Otherwise, I have a couple of dog toys laid around that I have for them to play with. We play fetch, start tug of war games, chase each other around the house (and in the yard), and we also make time for cuddling/movies/relaxing time. CATS: With cats, I always have a designated room for them to feel secure in and allow them as much time as they want to become familiar and comfortable in a closed setting they feel safe in. If the pet parent prefers, I get their cat set up in one bedroom (that includes a bed, water/food bowls, toys, a blanket, and litter box) and let them stay in there the whole time. In those circumstances, I simply go into the bedroom frequently to spend time with the cat, check on their food/water, play with and pet them, give head and chin scratches, lay around and cuddle if they want some snuggle time, and make sure they are getting to know me and feel at ease around me (and in my home). If the pet parent is comfortable with/would like me to give their cat the option of roaming throughout the house (and meeting my cat too), I ease the cat into this stage by opening up the bedroom door (once I can tell they've gotten settled and are curious/intrigued to see what's outside of that one room), encouraging the cat to come outside (with words of encouragement and patience), and I wait to make sure the guest cat and my cat have seen each other and have acknowledged the other feline with no issue or conflict. I stay in close proximity and within reach of the cats a lot/persistently early on to determine and confirm that the two will get along and can coexist peacefully (and perhaps may even become friends soon enough). It usually doesn't take long for the cats to approach one another, gauge the other, and move on with their day. I have a ton of furniture/lounging options for the cats; and, I found that they often end up laying down and napping near each other within the first couple hours of a boarding stay. It's so cute and sweet! I also have a bunch of cat toys throughout the house for them to find and play with (including hanging/springing items for them to swat, a stuffed bird that tweets and jumps when touched, a fish that flaps around when nudged, and plenty of empty boxes to jump in and out of). ALL: I keep water bowls around the house at all times; and, I am sure to have a regularly filled water bowl in my bedroom when it's sleep time so that they always have access to water if they're thirsty throughout the night/after bedtime (since I bring them to my room with me when I am headed to bed). There's definitely a lot of lounging time, walking around the house, going into the kitchen for snack breaks/water, and TV watching/cuddle time (especially towards the end of the workday and beyond). I try to provide a good balance between relaxing/napping as well as getting up and moving around throughout the day.