Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Mountain retreat
Canada
Pets
- Dog(s)
- Cat(s)
- Horse/Donkey(s)
All gentle
Duration
- Period available: 3 weeks, 5 days
- Starts: 10 August 2024
- Ends: 5 September 2024
About this assignment
My home is a forested retreat overlooking the Columbia Valley. I have 1 horse that receives food supplements 1 time a day; I also have an affectionate little mini donkey. I have 2 young cats that love their morning treat, as they'll tell you over and over and ..... We can get snow, but that's a bonus if you're a skier. I also have a black lab cross dog named Hatty. She is an incredibly sweet and affectionate girl. Great slopes are nearby at Kicking Horse Mountain resort. As well we have wonderful groomed trails nearby.
What responsibilities are required of the house sitter
Prepare and feed supplements to horse
Insect spray or fly sheet or winter blankets if needed
Feed cats and dog
Water flowers, garden and greenhouse, as needed or shovel snow near house
Keep houseplants watered
Keep house clean
Scoop horse poop daily
What are the good features of the property and location
I live in a beautiful piece of paradise on a mountain slope with wonderful views. My animals are all kind, gentle and loving.
I am 40 km south of Golden and 5 km from a general store and gas station. Our community is surrounded by National Parks. Radium is an 45 south with a year round hot springs.
Golden is a mountain town with hiking, rafting, mountain biking, paragliding, and climbing. It is a destination with cross country and down hill skiing.
What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment
I am isolated and do have wildlife in the area at times, so comfort in a more remote setting is important. Due to my location you would need a vehicle. I have my driveway plowed regularly. My road is a gravel small canyon so good snow tires or mud and snow are required in winter, which is a law in bc. In winter you can snowshoe or ski from home or nearby and our Kicking Horse Mountain resort offers challenging downhill. We have wonderful Nordic trails for skate or classic skiing near Golden. If snow conditions are good, I ski on the sloughs below the house.
Can I bring my own pets?
No, sorry.
Last updated:
20 August 2023
About this home owner
MindMyHouse member since May 2017
Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/sitters/assignment/11311
Testimonials
Wonderful host
We house sat for Marilyn for a month: it was nothing but a pleasure. Bennie and Beans, the 2 cats, were very funny as they play every minute that they are not asleep. They are independent and spend half their day outside on the big property. Vinnie, Chocolate (the 2 horses), as well as Pumpkin (the donkey) were very friendly. They know the daily routine and we had no issue taking care of them, as they were very patient and kind. We also looked after Hatty (the dog) for a few days: she was never tired of being pet. So sweet. We also took care of the veggie garden before the snow arrived and it was fun to pick up the last vegetables of the season. The house is very cosy, the view on the mountain is stunning, there are many hikes starting right up the road, the next town is only 30min drive away (I would recommend the museum and art gallery) and the local community are absolute gems (some came just to say hi, others offered us fruits, had us over for tea, we were even invited for Thanksgiving dinner!). We are very happy that Marilyn trusted us for her house and pets: she is one of the sweetest persons and we could not get enough of her amazing travel stories. We do hope to go through Parson and see her again!
Frederique, 15 October, 2019
Wonderful Canadian House Sit Experience
It was a pleasure sitting for Marilyn at her lovely home. We arrived the day before her departure and she was a wonderful host. We were left with detailed instructions on how to take care of her horse (Vinnie), donkey (Pumpkin), and dog (Priscilla). Vinnie required two thorough meals per day and she was concise on the procedure required to feed him. We were left with emergency contacts and she checked in with us to make sure everything was going smoothly during our stay. She was very helpful and answered any questions or concerns we had during our stay. Our time with her pets was nothing but wonderful. All three were a joy to be around and very sweet in nature. The location was in the middle of the picturesque rocky mountains and the scenery was breathtaking. An absolute dream for a rural/mountain lover or even a city dweller looking for an escape from the fast paced life. Our time was nothing short of spectacular and we would gladly recommend any house sitter for a sitting experience with Marilyn!
Daniel, 01 November, 2018
BC Canada Sit for Marilyn
Marilyn's home is a lovely, modern log cabin on the side of a mountain in the Canadian Rockies. The view from the deck across the river to the Purcell mountains is spectacular, as is the entire area! Priscilla is the sweetest dog, and as an older girl isn't any trouble at all. The donkey and horse were warm and friendly and straightforward to take of. She has a lovely garden with water to it. I was lucky enough to be there over berry season, and enjoyed tons of wild Saskatoons, and red + black currants and raspberries from Marilyn's patch. The neighbors are wonderful and willing to help at a moment's notice, if needed. Marilyn wrote out all instructions and a list of phone numbers for neighbors and vets, etc., and explained all the house systems. She stayed in contact almost daily when she was in cell range, and super helpful with anything that came up. She was even kind enough to let me stay a few extra days after she returned and took me on a hike. I highly recommend this house sit, and would be delighted to go back and help out again!
Carolyn, 07 August, 2018
Fall housesit for the wonderful Marilyn & co.
I found Marilyn via this website and contacted her right away. We had a skype session which we both felt we immediately connected with one another and the plan was made. Marilyn kept in touch with me as the date approached making me feel welcome and aware of the plans. She had a dinner with some neighbours for my first evening there which made me feel welcome and trusted in her home and community. We spent the next day going over all of the duties and quirks of living in her humble abode. I was left with ample amount of emergency contacts as well as "everyday/ any situation" contacts in the event I needed someone to touch base with. The animals were wonderful companions and I fell into a rhythmic routine caring for them. Her home was absolutely wonderful, spending the morning writing in my journal, sipping coffee and gazing at the Purcells. Marilyn and I kept in touch via email which I found quite nice if there were any questions I had she was there to answer and assure me and in turn, I could keep her updated on her animals and life in her home. I feel we both mutually benefited from the exchange and had a wonderful experience. If my schedule were to line up again with dates Marilyn needed a house sitting opportunity I would 10/10 - 100% sign up to do it again. Lots of love to Marilyn, Priscilla, Vinny and Pumpkin.
Megin, 18 December, 2017