*Aug-Sep min. stay 4 nights* . WHY YOU AND YOUR FURPEOPLE WILL LOVE ME: It's a delight for me to offer pet parents total peace of mind, knowing their furfamily is being cared for by an expert, deeply empathetic, dependable petsitter ... AND that your plants and home are being cared for with thoughtful consideration. I'll fully respect your privacy and leave your home as clean as you left it! Animals somehow know how much I love and respect them, and instantly seem to trust me: I'm constantly hearing, "OMG, they usually hide whenever someone new comes to the house!" while their pet wraps themselves around my legs. ;D I'm an expert with dogs, cats, bunnies, chickens, and horses (and an expert rider); and I can also care for your goats, small mammals, and fish, with your clear instructions. I have a knack for finding ways to inspire them to willingly cooperate with whatever needs to happen. I get a lot of joy from that, so we can cooperate easily together to accomplish just about anything that needs to happen, with trust, connection, and comfort. I really want to know what makes YOUR furperson(s) THRIVE! Please let me know what they like and don't like, and share any quirks they have, to help me provide them with the best care, tailored especially for them! (Bonus: When it's asked for, I can often help pet parents find a way to resolve challenges they're struggling with, with their pets -- from dogs refusing to move in the middle of a walk, to giving bunnies medications without having to restrain them, to stopping cats from unwanted behaviors with just the voice.) **************************** MY VALUES WHEN CARING FOR YOUR FURFAMILY I see animals as furry (or feathered) people -- they have their own personalities and preferences, and I think they deserve the same respect and care that we humans do. (Actually even more so, since they can't speak for themselves, and they're dependent on us to treat them well.) When I need to handle an animal for their care, and even when I just want to pet them to connect, it's my practice to ask for permission to touch them. Even after we've established a trusting, snuggly connection, I still usually ask permission before touching. Respect, invitation, reassurance, and appreciation/celebration/reward always work best! (For people, too. ;D) I think these things are a big part of why animals like and trust me so much. I'm deeply proud of that. I take their trust as a measure of how good a human I'm being. *I will meticulously follow your instructions to always ensure your pet's safety, not only in your home but also out in your yard and when walking in the neighborhood (for dogs).* MY EXPERIENCE We had a cat when I was young, and dogs during my teens -- my constant companions traipsing through the 25 wooded acres around our home. In my teens I also worked for a vet, where I learned how to work with a LOT of different temperaments in dogs, including in challenging situations. Then for 27 years I shared my life with freeranging housebunnies, so I can offer your buns the highest level expertise and care. (If you'd like any tips on how to help your bunny live as long and healthily as possible, I'd be delighted to share!) I'm an expert horseback rider (can stick on a rearing horse bareback), and can exercise your western, english, hunt seat, or dressage horse (I have basic dressage skills). I also know how to invite a horse to "hook on" and follow me without a lead. I also have 2 years experience being the primary caretaker for chickens (my housemates called me the "chicken whisperer). I'm comfortable giving medications, including subcutaneous injections. Since my last beloved bunny, Colleen, passed in June 2021 at the ripe old age of 12, I've looked for opportunities to be around animals whenever it works for my schedule. Petsitting is the perfect opportunity! A few extra notes: I want to say again, how important I think it is to ask permission before touching or working with animals -- whether they're a dog, cat, bunny, chicken, horse, or whatever. Almost nobody feels like being touched ALL THE TIME, and I really think it's this respect and responsiveness I offer every animal, that has them trust me so much so quickly, and cooperate so well with me when there's something that needs to be done. DOGS: I know how to set and maintain loving, responsive, AND firm boundaries, while also being a fun play companion! Every dog needs something a little different, and I know how to listen and adjust to what works best for them. CATS: I know cats have a HUGE range of personalities and interest in socializing. And, I do speak a little bit of "cat language," so I tend to connect well even with the ones who are more shy or independent. I'm totally okay with cats that only want me to be their slave human feeder and don't really want to connect. And I confess, I do have a special place in my heart for cats that really enjoy playing and snuggling with me! BUNNIES: I'm fluent in bunny! As you know, it's all about the nose, cheek, and ear rubs ... *down on the floor with them.* (I know most buns don't like to be picked up, held, or sit in your lap.) I'm super proud that I never had to "burrito" my bunnies to trim their nails or give medications! CHICKENS: For 2 years I lived in a community house that had chickens. I'd never been around chickens before, but quickly became the "chicken whisperer" -- we'd free-range them during the day, and on my first try, I was able to get them to calmly go back into their coop in the evenings ... in MUCH less time than it took anyone else. I quickly became their primary caretaker. I'd love to care for chickens again! HORSES: I was a total horse fanatic for my first 12 years -- honestly, it was just about all I cared about. I started riding english/hunt seat when I was 8 years old, and studied dressage for about 10 years starting in my late 20s. I've also experienced some equine assisted coaching (as a client), which was totally magical. I'd love more opportunities to be around horses! GOATS: I know just little bit about goats, but would love to care for them and learn more -- I but dream of having a hobby farm with dogs, cats, bunnies, chickens, horses, and goats! ********************************************* If we sound like a good match, let's meet on Zoom and talk about details!