Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Sitter available
Trustworthy, Friendly, Experienced, Reliable British Couple with plenty of common sense
United Kingdom
Testimonials
They have 7 testimonials (view below)
Pet experience
Dog(s), Cat(s), Horse/Donkey(s), Chicken(s), Bird(s), Fish, Pig(s), Farm animal(s), Other animal(s) – Sheep, Ducks, Geese, Goslings, Guinea pigs, Rabbits, Bees
Police check
They have a police check
Availability
From: 21 July 2024
Until: 2 February 2025
Occupation
Train Maintainer/Breakdown Recovery Controller
References
They have referees/references (view below)
About this sitter
Barry (60); Train Engineer with practical DIY background
Anne (65); Breakdown assistance coordinator, Keen gardener
Both; Fit and Healthy, Non Smokers with lots of large dog owning experience. Looking to combine travelling, with looking after your home, cherished possessions, and caring for your adorable pets.
Currently living in Watford, Hertfordshire UK
Having been married for 35 years and brought up our 2 children who now have their own lives, we are looking to make the most of our new free time by minding pets, homes and property for people all over the world with the same level of care as we have our own.
We are currently still employed, my wife as a breakdown assistance coordinator and me as an train engineer, so initially looking to cover weekends and weekly/fortnightly sittings until we are fortunate enough to be able to retire, draw a pension and do much longer house sitting by returning to the extended travelling lifestyle we had prior to having financial and family ties.
We are big animal lovers with many years’ experience of owning and looking after numerous large rescue dogs, including a Belgium Shepherd, Dalmatian, Pointer, German Shepherd, 2 Bernese Mountain dogs and a Bernese Collie Cross right up into their twilight years.
We are also happy to carry out minor property repairs, maintain pools, gardens and plants as required.
Why they want to house sit
We love our home, but it is also fun to visit different places and meet new people.
Prior to having our children we traveled Europe extensively including living and working in the USA and Australia.
We prefer to live as locals wherever we travel and looking after your house and property is a great way to do this at the same time as giving you piece of mind that everything (and everyone) will be cared for while you’re enjoying some time away.
Their experience
Having spent many years renovating various houses we have lived in, we know the level of care we like our homes to be treated with, and always treat other people’s property with the same level of respect. We have also gained extensive DIY and practical skills along the way.
As already stated, we have owned and looked after a good mixture of animals, and understand how comforting it is to know that they are being well looked after by people we trust while we are away. We are now looking to provide that similar reassurance to you.
What can they bring to the assignment
We genuinely enjoy the company of the pets we look after and the time spent with them. Walking dogs is never viewed as a chore but more a chance to get out and for them to show us the local area! This also gives them and us plenty of fun stories to update you with later!
We won't abandon them to go sight-seeing every day. After half a day out and about we are looking forward to that marvellous greeting you get on your return! It is the most wonderful privilege to be trusted with someone's home and beloved pets and it is a trust that will not be misplaced with us.
Please note local house/pet sits would be weekends only
We both have current Police checks and additional references available on request.
Last updated:
20 February 2024
Available to house sit
Africa, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Caribbean, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Middle East, Monaco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South East Asia, South Pacific, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam
Availability dates
From: 21 July 2024
Until: 2 February 2025
Do they charge?
They don't charge for house sitting services
Membership
MindMyHouse member since 2017
Personal details
Age: 56-65 years old
Family status:
Couple
Total sits
Total completed house sits: 7
References
You need to be logged in to see this house sitters' references.
About this house sitter
MindMyHouse member since January 2024
Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/owners/sitter_listing/30324
Testimonials
Excellent house sitters
Barry and Ann house sat for us over the lent half term whilst we went skiing. They were lovely people, great with our dogs and Parrot plus Martha the pig and chickens. They kept in touch over the week sending news of our beloved animals and had even groomed the dogs on our return! They kept the house clean & tidy. We’d certainly have them back to stay anytime
Fergus, United Kingdom, 20 February, 2024
Highly recommended House and Pet Sitters
Barry and Anne were incredible with my two dogs, Gen (8) and Billy (1) and my cat Jimmy (4). Billy, still young can be boisterous and in your face but Barry and Anne coped with him very well! The house was spotless and jobs done that I had neglected! Cannot recommend them highly enough. A great couple.
Debbie, Cyprus, 20 December, 2023
Farm in venice
really beautiful couple, they take perfectly care about my house and my animals. Everything were spotless when i came back. Really recomended.
Francesca , Italy, 01 November, 2023
Barry and Anne
Barry and Anne looked after out house, three dogs and cats for a long weekend. They did a great job and kept up updated with photos and videos. They were very organised with a questionnaire which they sent out before their arrival so that they would have all the information they needed even before turning up. Thank you
Barbara , United Kingdom, 29 October, 2022
Greathousesitters
Barry and Anne were great. They were well organized and sent a questionnaire well ahead of the sit We also videod each other before in order for them to become familiar with the dogs Sadly there was only one dog instead of 2 as my old dog had to be put to sleep but Gracie certainly seemed to enjoy her time with them. They noted any details about the animals and house and took time to ensure everything ran smoothly. I would certainly recommend them and would be happy to invite them again.
Jan, United Kingdom, 17 October, 2020
Barry & Anne - Excellent Sitters
We recently had the good fortune to have Barry and Anne come and sit for us and our two dogs. In addition to being easy conversationalists and good company, Barry and Anne were very responsible and attentive with the duties we had left them. They kept us well informed to give us the peace of mind to enjoy our holiday without bothering us unnecessarily. We came back to our house and garden clean and tidy having been well looked after and did a great job of walking our dogs daily and keeping them happy. Barry even repaired the gate. Anne did a great job of managing our veggie patch in our absence. I would definitely welcome them again as trustworthy, reliable sitters, and highly recommend them to anybody else.
Brigid & Byron, France, 27 September, 2018
Couldn't ask for more
Barry and Anne were fabulous house sitters and really took care of our place and our animals perfectly. Their communication was good prior to and during the sit. They took on a large vegetable patch and many flowering plants that were all diligently watered and cared for. They even took on extra jobs we hadn't requested on their own initiative like clearing up and tidying our workshop and wading into a pond to clean some glass panels. Highly recommended.
Alistair , France, 14 August, 2017