Mature House Sitter

About this sitter

House sitting appeals to my adventurous nature. I have been taking care of homes and pets since 2014, both in the US and in Australia (I hold US, Australian, and Canadian citizenship). Housesitting is probably something that I will keep doing for the rest of my life. My longing for adventure, combined with a good measure of common sense, practical skills, and worldly experience (having lived on four continents) are elements that make me an ideal house sitter. I also have a love for meditation and writing, two activities that go well with house sitting.

Cleanliness and order come naturally to me. I am drawn to environments that are free from clutter, well cared for, and that have natural light. I'm sorry to all those hoarders out there - we would not be a good match.

Why they want to house sit

Housesitting appeals to my wandering nature. For most of the pandemic, I worked remotely in administration for a university in San Francisco. House sitting enables me to enjoy being in different environments, with animals, while remaining financially secure.

Their experience

Very much so. Below is my experience in and beyond California:

* Alvarado Canyon, San Francisco Bay Area: 1 week July 2 - July 9, 2023, looking after a golden retriever, a white mixed German Shepherd, a mostly invisible cat, and a stunning 2-story home. The dogs are love bugs, and live for their daily walks in the hills.

* Olympic Peninsula, Washington State, 4 days in Nov 2022. I looked after four American Eskimo dogs - stunning beauties. All they wanted was pure love and affection 24 hours a day. The owner was a breeder, and knew their ways well. The few days I spent there were COLD.

* Bernal Heights, San Francisco, April 2022 (1 week) My sole company was 2 bunnies and a very particular cat named Coco. Life was all about food (When isn't it?) Coco growled viciously if her food was not delivered on time. As long as I met her requirements, we were on good terms.

* Corte Madera: July, 2021 (2 weeks). I was entrusted with an adorable tabby cat who loved to snuggle as close as he could get, preferably lying on my chest, with his face resting on mine. Imagine that!

* Oakland: January 2020 (3 weeks), looking after a lumbering old labrador. Though he loved his walks around the block, getting him up and down 12 steps a day was not a pretty sight. He had the heart of a puppy dog, but his body revealed his aging years.

* Alameda: May 2019 (1 week), taking care of a magnificent waterfront property reigned over by a cat who would have been much happier to have been left in solitude and have the house to himself.

*San Francisco: September 2018 (1 week), taking care of a stunningly beautiful cat. She required little more than to be adored from afar, much like royalty.

* Lake Merritt: September, 2018 (long weekend) caring for two adorable cats who tore around the place at lighting speed, at the slightest hint of any movement.

* Vacaville: July 2018 (two weeks), caring for a German Shepherd, two cats, fish, a home, and gardens. It was a lot of work and I'm glad that I had a daily list to refer to.

* Winters: Christmas, 2016 (1 week); in March, 2017, December 2017. A magnificent country estate;I cared for a Westie and a Chevalier Spaniel Poodle who would never leave my sight. Also on the property was a cat, who inhabited the backyard work shed and loved his privacy and food. Then there were all the multi-colored chickens.The property afforded solitude and immense beauty.

* San Juan Bautista: May 2015 (5 days) caring for a Shiba'inu dog.

And in Australia:
* March, 2015, for four months, caring for a labradoodle, cat, pet snake, and two adorable teenagers, at a friend's home in an inner suburb of Melbourne, Victoria.

* 2012 and in 2013, caring for 2 cats in a home in Oakland, California.

What can they bring to the assignment

Order and cleanliness come naturally to me.

I am someone who is impeccable with my word. If I say I will do something, then you have my word.

I love animals. I have always wanted a pet of my own, but most of my living situations in urban environments have not permitted it.

I have studied and practiced meditation for the past 30 years, and enjoy a life of quiet and solitude.

I am an avid recycler and mindful of the use of all natural resources.

I would be honored to take care of your pets, your garden and other household duties. Home is vitally important to me, as I know it is to you.

I do not charge unless there are more than 2 pets that need to be walked on a schedule.