Responsible, quiet, conscientious, caring

About this sitter

I am a 59-year old American male professional - non-smoker, non-drinker, non-drug user - who works remotely as a business editor/writer. Often described as meticulous, conscientious and dependable, I am generally looking for house sitting assignments in urban areas across Europe and the US, or longer stays in the countryside. My target locations are the UK and Europe, or longer term stays in New York and California. I've spent 20+ years of my adult life outside the US, most recently in Istanbul. Over the years, I've studied, worked and lived in Italy (Rome, Milan), UK (London), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Bulgaria (Sofia), Turkey (Istanbul) and Azerbaijan (Baku), in addition to Washington, DC, New York, Seattle and North Carolina. I'm well accustomed to operating in non-English speaking areas. I am also security conscious. Furthermore, I grew up on a farm, so I am familiar with both domesticated pets and farm animals. Most animals bond with me rather quickly.
***As of July 2021, I have had the three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. I plan to have an additional booster in the coming months.***

Why they want to house sit

Over the years, I have house sat for friends, tending to their pets and/or maintaining their real estate/property, for periods ranging from a weekend to nine months. I find that these arrangements suit me while providing benefit to others. House sits allow me to have a richer local experience than staying in a hotel while making me feel more grounded by taking care of pets, homes, or engaging in other duties. Having grown up on a farm, I know how to tend to both domesticated pets and farm animals. In addition, I enjoy the company of animals of all types.

Their experience

Although I may lack extensive "official" or documented house sitting experience on MindMyHouse at present, I have completed 24 housesits spanning 250+ days via Trustedhousesitters to date – with cats, dogs, fish, plants, more – in Berlin, London, Los Angeles and Istanbul during 2018-22. In addition, I have house sat in numerous locales for friends, ranging from New York, New York; Garrison, New York (upstate); Washington, DC; Brookline, Massachusetts; Boulder, Colorado; London, UK, among many others. Pets tended to include dogs (from terriers to labs to Newfoundlands), cats (from epileptic requiring regular meds to healthy), fish, birds as well as cows, pigs, chickens. In addition, I have 25+ reviews on Airbnb spanning seven years that I can provide. I'm often described as "quiet," "clean," "tidy," "respectful" and "polite." I am also very security conscious. (NB: I have obtained an FBI/Police Check as of November 2018, which I can provide with redacted Social Security Number information.)

What can they bring to the assignment

I am a responsible, thoughtful and proactive problem solver (when needed). I'm kind and engaging to animals and even the most shy and reserved tend to get along with me. In short, I'm someone you can trust. (Really.) I also like to walk - a lot. As a result, dogs love me especially. As a quiet person, felines tend to bond with me quickly as well.