Traveled cyclists and animal lovers are looking for longer stays abroad

About this sitter

My wife Nicole (55) and I (Peter de Ruiter, 62) are currently looking into a longer stay abroad. We both love animals and enjoy peace and nature. Currently we have a walking dog called Frenkie, a vizsla, for two days a week. We also have a former water mill in Auvergne, which we rent out, but it is not suitable for habitation in all seasons. www.countrycottagefrance.com

I am a writer and photographer (and now podcast maker) and do most of my work online. Nicole has worked for a long time at an international children's aid organization. We are well travelled and speak English, German, French and some Italian. Normally we cycle in Asia for four weeks in January. After a three-year pause because of corona, we enjoyed Sri Lanka in 2023. We love to meet the animals on these trips (see photos). in Sri Lanka we got 'acquainted' with lots of stray dogs, elephants, monkees, varaans, alligators and lots of birds.

Why they want to house sit

Because we want to get used to stay abroad for a longer time, and eventually move abroad. Also we love to take care of pets and enjoy their company for some weeks because we don't own them ourselves.

Their experience

We both visited 50+ countries and used to own dogs and cats some times in our lives. Our first housesitting was in France, Limoges, summer of 2022. See the photo of the dog Zorro. We also took care of two cats and two birds and the wonderful house itself, owned by two Dutch. In October we took care of a house near Malaga, Spain, with a dog (a Mastin) and a cat for three weeks. Actually, it was a B&B, but there were no guests at that time. See the photo by the pool. In 2023 we will be dog sitting in Coin, Spain (near Malaga), in May and around Girona, northern Spain, in July/August.

What can they bring to the assignment

Commitment and a sincere interest in and love for animals