Personable, professional sitter, now in my 10th year... NYC, Philadelphia only

About this sitter

I've been house sitting since December 2013... the first 7 years on the road as a full-time sitter. Currently, I have a "base" (long-term caretaker position) and am free for sits up to 2 weeks - Philadelphia and New York City only. Happy to hang out with your canines (up to 40 pounds) and/or your felines.

On a personal note: I'm a healthy, energetic retiree; highly organized but easy-going; clean and tidy; an early bird, not a night owl. I don't smoke or drink. Ivy League grad (Columbia University), former RN, and veteran (Army nurse).

In my last career as a certified translator, Spanish to English, I worked freelance for professors and publishers in Spain. I'm learning to trade stocks and I'd like to write good poetry someday.

Why they want to house sit

It's the most fun retirement "job" ever! Being a Sagittarius, I thrive on seeing new places, meeting new people, and learning new things. House sitting gives me all that—plus fur buddies to love (!) and the gratification of providing a valuable service.

Their experience

My experience spans about 40 different homes with their resident dogs and cats (often both), as well as birds, rabbits, and fish on occasion. Sits have been 2-4 weeks, typically, but quite a few have lasted 1-2 months.

I bring hands-on knowledge and skills with:
> senior and disabled pets (deaf, blind, diabetic, incontinent)
> administering pills, eye and ear drops, injections
> training and positive reinforcement

Four times I've had to take pets for emergency treatment... and all were soon well again, thanks to my timely intervention.
> dog vomiting blood
> dog with respiratory distress
> diabetic cat who became lethargic
> dog with grand mal seizures

A number of homeowners, upon returning home, have reported finding their pet noticeably more relaxed. I believe this is because I'm good at relating to cats and dogs on their own terms, with no unrealistic or unfair expectations of them.

And some pet parents are still singing my praises for teaching their pups to stay out from under foot in the kitchen ;)
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On the house sitting side...
> I'm a resourceful problem solver and, as a former homeowner myself, I know how to troubleshoot and when to call a repair or service provider.
> I relate well to house plants and flower gardens and get along with most rakes and lawn mowers.
> Clients have entrusted me with monitoring mail, depositing checks, relaying messages, transmitting documents, and the like.
> I'm comfortable in big cities... having lived in New York City for 15 years and done sits in Philadelphia, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, and Washington, DC.

What can they bring to the assignment

TOP REASONS I'm the house and pet sitter for you:

1. COMPANIONSHIP: I'm a sitter who tends to be "at home" with your pet(s) more than out and about. And when I do go out, it's never for the entire day nor late into the evening.

2. SENSITIVITY: I do not leave your pets at all for the first 24 hours, at least, so that they can adjust to your absence (and to my presence) without undue stress. I also preserve your pet's familiar rituals and routines, as I’ve seen how much this helps them feel comfortable with a sitter.

3. DILIGENCE: I follow your instructions carefully; ask questions (not just guess or assume), if something isn't clear; and give feedings, medications, and treatments on time, every time.

4. COMMITMENT: If there were any doubt about my ability or availability to complete the sit assignment, I would decline it. Once I commit, I don't quit!

5. COMMUNICATION: I communicate with you as often as you wish and keep a journal of your pet's sitter adventure for you to read upon your return.

6. RESPECT: You come home to a clean house, fresh bed linens, and everything just as you left it. I don't rearrange your stuff but simply live on top of it or around it.

7. Finally, and most importantly... EXPERIENCE! (see above)