Sophie C.
Saxmundham
I am dedicated to animal centred care.
Pet care experience
I am in my fifties with a teenage daughter at home and no other pets in the house. I live in a quiet village in a small cottage with an enclosed back garden. We are a non-smoking home and I work in a studio in the garden. I have always had animals in my life since I was a child and begged for my first guinea-pig called 'Motza' who lived free in the garden with a growing band of friends!. We always kept had dogs and cats and grew up with ponies. I have experience with ponies, goats, chickens, dogs, cats, guinea pigs and budgies and am volunteering at the Suffolk Punch Horse Trust. I have rescued dogs and have helped in birthing goats and kittens and looked after puppies and hedgehogs. I work as an artist and children's writer and live near the coast in Aldeburgh. Animals and nature feature heavily in my paintings. My partner is based in France but stays in the UK from time to time, so I will be the only dog carer - although he (Anthony!) is often around - he has a French telephone number and is my emergency contact - just note that he is not always with me in Suffolk and if not I will have an alternative emergency number. I rent out my dog-friendly cottage during the school summer holidays when I go to France, so am not available for dog boarding in the summer and some school holidays. I have home boarding insurance and written policies for dog care which you can see before you book.
Reviews
Sophie was caring and loving towards our elderly Cockapoo. It’s the first time he stayed with a stranger, but he settled very well. We are thrilled to have found Sophie
Sophie provided a home from home very welcoming service. Lots of photos were provided to reassure and keep us informed which we really appreciated. Would thoroughly recommend.
Sophie was fantastic from start to finish. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more thorough dog sitter - she wants to know every detail about your dog, not only their routine but their behaviours, their quirks, things that might be a challenge. And that’s because she wants to make sure she’s giving the best care possible to your dog & that everyone is safe and happy. I could not recommend Sophie enough - it’s so clear that her & her daughter are huge animal lovers. Cleo had the most fantastic long weekend with Sophie and I received lots of pictures and updates of her adventures. I felt so comfortable and assured that Cleo was in good hands (and given my dog is my life, that was very important) and I have no doubt that Cleo would love to stay with Sophie again. Just trying to think of excuses to go back to Suffolk so Cleo can have a little holiday again! Thank you Sophie, I’m so grateful for the love and care you gave Cleo.
Sophie is amazing with animals! I have seen her looking after horses, goats, guinea pigs, dogs, cats and birds too. She is so capable and confident in caring for so many different creatures! Sophie looked after my dog for several days in my absence, and I couldn't trust anyone more. She is my go to person whenever I need someone to mind my dog for me. I highly recommend!
About Sophie C.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have a 14 year old daughter, and our small house is smoke free. I have a fenced back garden and a partly fenced front garden at my cottage. In the winter we have a logburner in the sitting room for chilly evenings. I am always around as I have a studio in the back garden, and so your dog/s can always be close and I will always know if they need a potty break or attention. If it's mild they can be free to wander in and out of the house or studio (if that's apporiate for them). At night the dog will sleep on its bed in the kitchen or sitting room and in my small cottage I will always be able to hear if the dog is in distress in any way. I don't allow dogs on the bed, but I am happy for sofa curling! I will do at least one long walk and several shorter strolls throughout the day depending on breed. I will always use a lead . It may be possible with the owner's permission to let a dog off the lead on the beach. Clean water will always be provided, along with the feeding routine the dog is used to and any other requirements. I am a great believer in all animals being treated with respect and kindness and will apply those principles to all animals I care for. I am happy to send you whatsapp photos of your dogs day so you know what they are up to, where we go together and to give you peace of mind.
Home
Information Sophie C. would like to know about your pet
I absolutely need to know about any health issues your dog has, and whether or not they are aggressive to other animals or frightened of anything in particular. I also need to know things like your dogs attitude to food, bins, cars, and other dogs on walks. I will ask you to fill in some notes about your dogs specific needs. Too much info is the best!
A typical day
Your dog will be let out in the garden for a toilet break first thing in the morning followed by a morning walk - probably around 8.30am - either on the beach at Sizewell or around our quiet village. Throwing of balls and sticks will definitely happen if your dog is allowed off the lead ( with your written permission). I am used to having lots of animals around and love giving dogs affection. Your dog will be by my side almost all the daytime and for night stays part of my small family. We all get up early for my teenage daughters school bus so early morning attention and letting out will always happen by 6.30 - 7am.
Services
Sophie can host
Availability
As an artist I either work from home or at my studio. I will always take detailed notes about your dogs routine and fit my schedule to that. If I have a dog staying for day boarding, we may well walk on the beach in Sizewell or Blaxhall Heath. Your dog will spend most of the day by my side as I have a dog bed space in my studio and we will make regular breaks for walks around the village. In my home studio your dog can come in and out of the studio, house and garden as they want. My 14 year old daughter comes home on a bus most days at 6pm but sometimes I may need to take your dog on a car trip to Framlingham to pick her up - with a nice blanket in the boot of my roomy people carrier.
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About Sophie C.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have a 14 year old daughter, and our small house is smoke free. I have a fenced back garden and a partly fenced front garden at my cottage. In the winter we have a logburner in the sitting room for chilly evenings. I am always around as I have a studio in the back garden, and so your dog/s can always be close and I will always know if they need a potty break or attention. If it's mild they can be free to wander in and out of the house or studio (if that's apporiate for them). At night the dog will sleep on its bed in the kitchen or sitting room and in my small cottage I will always be able to hear if the dog is in distress in any way. I don't allow dogs on the bed, but I am happy for sofa curling! I will do at least one long walk and several shorter strolls throughout the day depending on breed. I will always use a lead . It may be possible with the owner's permission to let a dog off the lead on the beach. Clean water will always be provided, along with the feeding routine the dog is used to and any other requirements. I am a great believer in all animals being treated with respect and kindness and will apply those principles to all animals I care for. I am happy to send you whatsapp photos of your dogs day so you know what they are up to, where we go together and to give you peace of mind.
Home
Information Sophie C. would like to know about your pet
I absolutely need to know about any health issues your dog has, and whether or not they are aggressive to other animals or frightened of anything in particular. I also need to know things like your dogs attitude to food, bins, cars, and other dogs on walks. I will ask you to fill in some notes about your dogs specific needs. Too much info is the best!
A typical day
Your dog will be let out in the garden for a toilet break first thing in the morning followed by a morning walk - probably around 8.30am - either on the beach at Sizewell or around our quiet village. Throwing of balls and sticks will definitely happen if your dog is allowed off the lead ( with your written permission). I am used to having lots of animals around and love giving dogs affection. Your dog will be by my side almost all the daytime and for night stays part of my small family. We all get up early for my teenage daughters school bus so early morning attention and letting out will always happen by 6.30 - 7am.
Location
Saxmundham, United Kingdom
Sophie C.
Saxmundham