Caring and Reliable Caretakers for your Pets and Home

About this sitter

Hello! We're Steve and Gretchen. Married over 35 years, we're an active, non-smoking/drug-free, retired military couple who've settled in Colorado after living six years in Virginia and seven years in Germany and Italy. So, for 20 years we've been avid hikers, campers and skiers living here in central Colorado. Our past canine and feline family members included dogs Pesca and Raven, three rescued cats Pinta (Virginia), Shamrock (Italy), and Bella (Colorado), and Sinbad the red-eared terrapin.

We're also volunteering with national parks and wildlife refuges so please check our house-sitting availability calendar.

Why they want to house sit

Having many times used house/pet sitters ourselves, we know what you’re seeking in competent, communicative and caring sitters – that’s us! We’re volunteering and traveling more as we ease into retirement so, by house sitting we combine those things with our love of pets. We understand the peace of mind that comes from knowing that someone reliable, trustworthy and caring is watching over your home and four-legged family members. And we know that pets are often just more comfortable in their own space. Meeting new people and affordable travel are two big house sitting benefits, but rest assured that our main focus is taking great care of your pets and property while you enjoy your travels.

Their experience

Please see our testimonials, current availability schedule, and references from several other house sits.

We’ve owned and maintained homes for over twenty years and both grew up caring for various family pets. Steve raised purebred cattle on a central Virginia farm, worked a large garden and kept gerbils and a large freshwater aquarium. In addition to family pets, Gretchen cared for her Appaloosa horse in New Mexico so, we’re both familiar with livestock, lawn and garden maintenance, home alarm systems and most other facets of property upkeep.

Steve is an accomplished home handyman with numerous successful electrical, plumbing, and flooring projects under his belt so your property is in good hands. Gretchen is a retired eye surgery nurse and, for fifteen years, led Girl Scout troops in Germany, Italy and Colorado. Both have current First Aid/CPR and federal background checks, Gretchen is an actively licensed Colorado RN, and both have outstanding references from years of military service.

What can they bring to the assignment

We’re a very punctual and detail-oriented couple with years of property and animal care experience. Since we were both raised in military families, traveling, meeting new people and quickly adjusting to new cultures and surroundings is second nature to us. We know communication is essential so we’ll provide updates as often as you wish while providing professional house care and attentive pet companionship. We understand pets need consistency so we’ll maintain their schedule while getting to know them, enjoying their company and taking in some of the local sites. We’re happy to hike with Rover in all kinds of weather or relax around the house with an older lapdog.

Please see our References from several other house sitting assignments at the end of this profile page.

Thanks for reading about us, and we look forward to exceeding your house sitting expectations!