Dog Walking Merrlam Park

About: I got my first dog (Winston) when he was a puppy and have been through it all with him, including puppy training! Although he’s older now, Winston is still full of energy and super playful, so I do well with active and energetic dogs. When he does have his calmer moments, I’m always there for a short walk with lots of stops to lay in the grass! Additionally, I’ve worked with senior dogs in the past. I have experience administering daily oral medication and going for walks with dogs that have mobility issues, such as arthritis and weak knees. I love to go on daily walks, often in the late afternoon or early mornings, and always enjoy the company of a furry friend! On the weekends I am available throughout the whole day for walks and playtime. I have years of experience walking my own dog in a city environment and am always focused on my surroundings, from cars to food on the sidewalk, to ensure his safety and enjoyment. Additionally, I have a lot of experience working with dogs that have anxiety. Winston is very sensitive to certain noises, such as the shuffling of playing cards, so I always make sure to avoid using cards around him. When entering a client’s home, I always make sure to treat the space exactly how I would want my space to be treated; with care and respect.

About: i have one dog and two cats of my own, and i have provided pet care for friends, neighbors, and referrals for many years! i am comfortable with any size of dog, and have a lot of experience with newer rescue animals in particular! i am available for drop ins during the week, with the most flexibility on thursdays and fridays. i have the most availability for drop ins and pet sitting on the weekends. i will ensure that your pets feel comfortable and cared for! i know how nerve wracking it can feel for someone new to watch after your pets, which is why i believe open and timely communication is so important.

About: No matter the size, breed or personality of your pet, earning their trust and friendship (along with your own trust) is my top priority. I grew up in a multi-pet household taking care of dogs, birds and small animals. Since then, I have taken care of horses, anoles, cats, parakeets and my curiosity for getting to know an animal's individual personality has only grown over that time. I currently have two dogs: an Australian shepherd and border collie mix, both of whom I raised from puppies by myself. We are an active family, walking/hiking and in general spending time exploring the neighborhood for hours a day, traveling together for camping or cabin vacations in our free time. It's cliche, but my dogs are truly my family and as a long-time Rover user on the customer side, I understand what it means to have a sitter/walker you can trust while you're away. I love finding people who strive to understand them as individuals and who are sensitive to their needs. My border collie is highly sensitive and I have learned to work within his limits, giving him the stimulation he needs by finding more isolated parks to sniff around, mental challenges inside, etc. that keep him entertained while reducing stress. I am more than comfortable getting to know your own pets' quirks and finding ways to keep their days consistent and stress-free. Pet care is already at the center of my life, as I have two energetic herding dogs. We walk frequently every day to help burn energy -- I like to let my dogs walk at their pace so they can sniff around and stimulate their brains while getting exercise. As someone with pets I understand the importance of trust-building in drop-in visit situations. As your schedule permits, we can meet beforehand via a meet and greet to get a feel for your schedule and space, and how to support your comfort and your pets'. Pets thrive with routine, and I strive to support that.

About: I've taken care of cats for most of my life and volunteered at an animal shelter for a few years. I've taken care of two cats up into their old ages of 16 years and 19 years old each, both living healthy, happy, comfortable lives indoors. They were shorthaired cats, named Morris and Edward. Morris was a wild rez cat, he was very silly, small, buff black cat who grew just a little bit fat in his old age, and since he was young he's had a slightly shorter, stubbed tip tail and a frostbitten ear. Edward was a rescued wild barncat from the farmlands outside of Wrenshall, a big, lean, and smart gray cat. They both lived very happily together under my care and the care of my parents and grandparents for their entire lives. I have two cats, the oldest is 5 years old, her name is Charwee, and the youngest is 2 years old, his name is Riggsatoni. They are both longhaired cats, with Charwee being a near-black tortoiseshell with a golden ruff, left foot, and a series of golden freckles across her face like a galaxy, finishing with a "shooting star" out of her left ear. Riggs is an dusty orange and white mask-and-mantle, taller than his new friend, Charwee, but with just as much fur and sweetness as she has. He's still getting the hang of being part of our household, as he's been with me since November 2025. I've also managed to train my 5 year old cat a variety of tricks and help behaviors, such as: She reminds me to take my medications if I've not gotten to it yet. She can also do two variations of a "stand" trick, complete the "spin" trick in both directions, and understands her "left" and "right" sides after training her the "touch" and "high five" tricks, meaning you can ask her for a "left paw touch" and she'll give you one. She is also trained to walk on harness. I am in process of training my youngest 2 year old cat to get him used to his harness, and even considering training him with tricks as well, but I am also giving him time to get used to his new home with my boyfriend and I. I have lived with both shorthair and longhair cats, and I've managed to trim claws with little issue for most cats; granted, some cats are obviously not always going to be comfortable with claw trims, and therefore, in my experience, it has been better for their mental state to only do one claw every five to thirty minutes, and reassure them that they're okay with giving them pets, play, and treats, or even their personal space if they desire instead, with gentle speak to remind them they still need their "spaw" day, because no one wants their nails embedded into their pads. For very short times over the course of my 26 years, I have also taken care of dogs every now and again, and even managed to train them how to handle claw trims or do some tricks. I once even had a pair of two mixed shepherd pups, picked up from my reservation, and managed to train them to follow off-leash, accept claw trims, wear harnesses, do a few tricks, and even accept baths in the short time that I was taking care of them. I'm flexible as I'm currently unemployed and job-hunting. I'm often awake at 7am but I don't become more active until 8am, and from then I'm available until 9pm. I'm usually observing body language, often consciously listening to vocal cues, and being mindful while learning about other's pet's behaviors and preferences, paying attention to any possible wants or needs via observing body languages; a few examples I can provide is when my cats point their bodies towards their bowls and indicate to me that something isn't full enough and needs more food or water, or when they indicate they want to play with me and not the other cat, or when they use their paws to touch things that have something they want inside of them, like a bag of treats or a drawer that contains the treats.

“Sophie has been walking our dog twice a week for the last few weeks and it’s been awesome! Sophie is always on time, is a strong communicator about what happened on the walks, and most importantly takes really good care of our dog. Our dog loves her and that makes me so happy. Thank you Sophie!”

Jane D.

“Sybil did a fantastic job of taking care of our 3 energetic dogs! I’m pretty sure they didn’t miss us as much as we thought they would. 😁”

Alan W.

About: While I do not have a dog of my own, I love caring for and playing with my friend’s dogs and love learning their unique personalities. I’m currently unemployed and have an abundance of time on my hands to go for walks or play or stop in for a potty break. I have a fenced in back yard and two cats. I do not have access to a crate so if that is necessary, it would need to be provided.

About: I have grown up around pets all of my life, having had multiple dogs and cats throughout. As a teenager, I would be trusted by neighbors to sit multiple pets at a time while they went on vacation. More than that, I am familiar with senior pet care and administering oral medicine. I am currently working part-time so I am available and ready to handle pet care most days of the week, including weekends. More, I am able to do early morning and late night care. I can create a safe environment for your pet by finding their comfort and acknowledging what they need within the home. Likewise, on walks, I am able to handle large dogs and other animal contact, making sure your pet stays safe in my care.

About: I grew up with cats and dogs, and I've got two cats and a doggo of my own. I'll treat your pup like their part of my pack. I'm working from home on Mondays and in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday. I can come home over lunch if boarding during the week. I have a fenced in yard and a great neighborhood for taking walks. I can provide a separate room for pets, as well as a crate, if needed.

About: I’ve had different breeds of both cats and dogs throughout my entire childhood so I understand the responsibilities needed to properly take care of a variety of pets. My parents have also been on Rover for a couple of years and I alway love helping them out! This also means I understand the apps processes and how to navigate it. I’m a college student at Macalester college, so right now I’m on summer break. I am flexible with owners schedules and willing to driving all around the metro for visits or at home stays! I can do whatever the owner feels is necessary for their pet. Whether it’s putting pets into crates, or active play, or if meals need to be more hands on, I feel comfortable caring for them in pretty much any situation. I don’t have much experience caring for dogs with special needs, so some animals who need that type of assistance might be out of the realm of care I can provide.

About: As long as I can remember, I've absolutely adored playing with and caring for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Having had a dog since I was ten years old, I've had many years of personal experience caring for them, including but not limited to responsibilities such as feeding, walking, bathing, and distributing medication to them. As a full-time graduate student, I'll largely be available in the early mornings and late afternoons, as well as evenings, to care for your pets during the week. On weekends, I can be very flexible with timing based on your needs. Since your pets are a part of your family, I know just how important it is to have them feel safe, secure, and loved. I will give them the attention they need and ensure that they feel just as comfortable and taken care of as they do when you're around.

“Annie is fantastic! Our dog gets really excited when she sees Annie come to take her on a walk. Annie is a great communicator with us too. I highly recommend her to walk your furry loved one.”

Jen R.

About: I’m a pre-vet biology student with a lifelong love for animals. I’ve grown up around animals and have experience pet sitting and dog walking. I currently have a leopard gecko and a golden retriever. I also had a German Shepherd for several years as well as a guinea pig so I’m comfortable caring for small pets too. I am reliable and happy to follow your pet’s routine, whether that means walks, playtime, medication, or lots of attention. I’ll also send regular updates and photos so you know your pet is in good hands!! I’m a pre-vet biology student and a student-athlete, so I’m used to having a structured schedule and managing my time well. I plan my days around the pets I’m caring for to make sure they get the attention, exercise, and care they need. During the summer and school breaks, I have even more flexibility I always try to stick to each pet’s normal routine so they feel as comfortable as possible. Whether that means feeding, walks, playtime, medications, or just spending time with them, I’m happy to follow your instructions.

“Tony was super friendly, had great communication and was awesome with our girls on their walks. Wrigley and Griffey were stoked when Tony came for their evening walks. My in-laws and my husband and I have nothing but great things to say about him! We will be using him again! Highly recommend!”

J D.

“Molly did a wonderful job walking our pups while we were out of town! We appreciated how punctual and communicative she was, sending us lots of pictures each time she visited. We could tell she gave the dogs lots of TLC and was very attentive to each of their different needs (one dog is a young energetic pup and the other is much older and low key). We’d absolutely work with her again!”

Rachel L.

“Allison responded so quickly the night before I needed last minute help with Luna during a long work day. We loved seeing all of the photos of their walks. Thanks so much!!”

Hazel B.

“Was worries at first that my boy Bear was barking so much but Phenix got him calm and had a good walk with him! Bear can't wait to see them again 💕”

Bekah B.

About: I’ve loved dogs since I was a kid. In middle school, I began taking care of family & friends’ dogs. I love spending quality time with dogs, getting to know their unique personalities, and honoring their needs. I am also an experienced dog groomer who values building a bond of trust with pets and their families. I am a full-time student from September-May. I work part-time during the summer, so I generally have more time to spend with your pet throughout the week. I play organ and sing at various churches every weekend, which occupies my Saturday evenings & Sunday mornings. I also practice music every weekday morning. My home does not allow for pets, so I will be happy to stay in your home and take care of your dog in the environment they know best.

About: Hello! I have experience with animals of all types and sizes. I am available for drop in care and overnight care! I've taken care of animals with various personalities and special needs. I work Monday through Friday, working remote on Wed & Thurs. I am available weekday nights and throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday! I am not available for drop in care in the middle of the day unless it is on a remote work day. I am only available to take care of pets within their own home. I am comfortable with pet cameras! It's important to me that the client feels their home is safe. I can help with animals, pet hair, clutter in common areas, watering plants etc.

“Laura has been excellent - you can tell she loves animals! She is great with the dog that she walks for us. She is dependable, great with communicating and responses!”

Julie & Steve E.