English Setters in rural Virginia
United States, Charles City, Virginia
Pets
- Dog(s)
- Bird(s)
Dates
- 28 Mar 2026 to 15 Apr 2026 (No sitters have applied for these dates yet. Be the first!)
About this assignment
We are looking for a mature couple to stay here and look after our four English Setters and Henry the homing pigeon. The ideal candidates must be reliable, not afraid of dog hair and somewhat adventurous; glamping in a dog house isn't for everyone. It would also help if you are someone who is known by their friends as kind of boring: no smoking, no parties, no children, no drama. You should come prepared to deal with the reality of rural living, not just ponder the charm.
What responsibilities are required of the house sitter
Caring for our setters, pigeon, and maintaining the house, barn and property. We have a large underground fence to contain the dogs so they don't require leash walking or doggie bag clean up. They are 11 year old siblings, but still have high energy, are very affectionate and require lots of attention. They come in and out of the house, but sleep inside. Expect to share the bed. There is an outdoor shower in case they (or you) need a washing. Dogs are fed twice a day and there are some minor medications which are added to the food. Pigeon is fed once a day and he decides whether he wants to fly or not.
Depending on the season, you may need to perform light lawn, pasture and garden maintenance. This will require using lawn equipment and other power tools.
What are the good features of the property and location
We live in Charles City County on 16 acres between Williamsburg and Richmond. This is a county with no fast food chains, no shopping malls, and one blinking traffic light. Big stores are 25 miles away, the closest grocery store is 10 miles away. There are a few local restaurants close by with food, drink and live music and the gas station down the road has take out fried chicken. To work that off, there is the Capital bike/walking trail which runs down scenic Rt 5 from Richmond to Williamsburg. Also close by are the Rt 5 plantations - Sherwood Forest, Westover, Shirley, and Berkeley. There is Revolutionary war and Civil war history all around us.
What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment
We have Xfinity internet and a variety of streaming services.
This is a quiet, rural property. There are no neighbors in sight, it's dark, sometimes things go "bump" in the night. Wildlife surrounds us and is a part of the experience. Depending on the season, you may encounter black snakes, racoons, spiders, lizards or other native residents. Whippoorwills and tree frogs may keep you up at night or serenade you to sleep. Storms can cause power outages and internet could go down; so beware, you might not be able to Instagram or even Tweet!!!
Can I bring my own pets?
No, sorry.
Last updated:
15 January 2026
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Testimonials
I will preface this by saying that we are partial to Setters. Our most beloved pet was a Gordon Setter and we have missed her. We, however, had no time to miss her during the several weeks we spent with these four hilarious, smart, energetic and lovable Setter siblings. We miss them every day and crack up remembering their daily antics. You will be thoroughly charmed by these beauties. The property is gorgeous, with vegetable and flower gardens and a vineyard. The house is comfy and well equipped. Lynn and Patrick make their own Lemoncello, but we may have finished it off, so I can't promise that you'll get any. Lynn cooked us a lovely dinner on the night we arrived. She and Patrick were terrific fun, warm and welcoming. We stayed in the lovely barn apartment that night and were treated to a great tour of the town the next day. We loved the local micro brew/pizza place/exceptional restaurant and live music venue, all owned by the same charming couple and scattered around the same charming property. Lynn is not kidding about the gas station fried chicken. Get there early. It's very popular. There is so much history within a stone's throw. You will not be bored. The locals are friendly and fun. We enjoyed their company on our many excursions into town. I could say so much more about this assignment. We will remember it fondly and hope that it will work out for us to return. Both canines and humans stole our hearts.
JoNell, United States, 6 Nov 2024
Four Setters in Virginia
There’s never a shortage of bellies to rub and heads to kiss in the home of the English setters. These four are friendly, loving and great companions who don’t want to miss out on anything you do. They will follow you wherever you go. The highlight of their day is mealtimes (isn’t it for all of us?). They get very excited and desperately want to show you where the food is kept, just in case you might have forgotten, and to help you prepare their meals. Once all the jumping up and down is over with and everything is ready to be distributed all four of them know exactly where to sit, and wait patiently as you put their bowls down on the deck. Then comes the magic word “okay”. As with most canines the kibble is devoured within seconds. For the rest of the day they lounge around on any piece of soft furniture they can find, legs in the air, not leaving much room for any humans to sit. If a human does manage to find a seat it won’t be long before one, or even two, of them beg to sit on his or her lap at the same time. Be prepared to share the bed with a couple of them but, if you prefer your own space, there is another bedroom to which you can sneak away once the dogs are settled in for the night. And don’t worry about oversleeping. They will let you know when it’s time to get up. I walked around the property (buried electric fence so no leashes required) a couple of times a day accompanied by 3 or 4 of the dogs. I guess this must have made them think they were going on an actual walk even though they had the run of the place any time they wanted. The three pigeons are easy to take care of. It’s just a matter of letting them out for a quick fly-by, feeding and watering. Lynn and Patrick are lovely people and interesting to talk with. I feel sure we will be spending more time together in the future since I plan on paying them a visit, possibly in the fall. I fell in love with all the dogs and will be ready for another doggy fix (or four) by then!
Ann, United States, 30 Mar 2022
Dog lovers
I have known Lynn and Patrick for several years taking care of their dogs and having them keep my dog. They are dedicated to giving the best care and affection to dogs, horses, or any critter you may have. They live organically to provide a safe environment for themselves, their animals, and the earth. Being with them and their dogs is a joy. Creating a comfortable environment comes easily to them and I highly recommend them as pet sitters. Barbara Lebeda. Mind My House sitter for seven years
Barbara, United States, 18 Jan 2022