House with big garden/swimming pond and different pets

About this assignment

We hope to find people who will love to be with our two lovely cats; Nala and Shakti and our outdoor cat Biggle. We also have a Fox terrier, Uma who sometimes travels with us and sometimes stays.
We hope that you would enjoy their company as they will definitely enjoy yours.
In the later spring and summer months we will ask for help around the garden and pool area.
During the fall and winter time, there is less to do.
If you are a single person, that is ok and we are also fine with couples. We would ask that you are a non-smoker.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Uma will need daily walks & cuddles, food, water, brushing if you desire.
Our cats love attention, but also give you your space. They love being outside if it is good weather. On more rainy and cold days they like to be inside in their favorite nook. Nala (big furball of love), Shakti (our sweet chartreuse queen who loves giving nightly belly massages in exchange for cuddles and belly rubs and scratches behind her ears), daily (and sometimes nightly) cuddles, food, water, cat litter cleaning. Biggle is our outdoor cat, he likes some attention and comes and goes from our garage. He just mainly needs food in his bowl.
Please water the indoor plants about every 10 days. For shorter stay, they will be watered before we leave and you will not have to worry about caring for them.
We have 5 geese, about 10 ducks and a handful of chickens that daily, less during colder days. Please refresh the water (more than 1x/day if it's really hot) and food and collect the eggs. Please do enjoy the eggs while you stay. In warmer times there will probably be enough to some home with you. The duck eggs are especially luscious.
Daily messages are not necessary, but a message every other day or two is appreciated. We are always available to take a call in the case of urgency, even late at night or early in the morning. Do not hesitate to call. We are happy to help or find someone to come to you to help.

During winter and early spring, no maintenance is needed for the pool. For summer stays you would help maintaining the pool (filling up the water when needed, starting and emptying the cleaning robot.
We have a regular cleaning lady who comes and is like family. We have a big home that can be challenging for us to keep clean, so we would not put that on someone staying here.
At the moment there is no vegetable garden. But if so we ask if you could help a bit in the vegetable garden, harvesting the ripe vegetables (please enjoy eating it yourself) and removing the weeds if necessary (the amount of work also depends on the weather).

Please empty the mailbox daily. The mail can be just placed on a table in the house until we get back. For longer stays we usually ask Joe's mum to pop by once in a while to have a look at it. She lives about 15 minutes away.
If the automower gets stuck, you can help it back on track (using an app on your phone you'll know when and where it's stuck) so that it can keep cutting the grass.
If needed it would be lovely if you could drop us off and pick us up at the airport. If it isn't possible we can usually get Joe's parents to help, just some weekends it isn't possible.

What are the good features of the property and location

We hope you enjoy the company of 2 wonderful cats and a lovely sweet dog in and around our house where you have your own room with a double bed and a lovely view. Our home is cozy, quiet and warm. Garden views can be seen from every door and window. Our garden is big and very private, full of beautiful trees and sunny grassy spots to lay and lounge with a good book. We are located near Antwerp (30 minutes) next to a forest and farm. Nature is out the front door!
The swimming pool is an organic pond with a fountain and flowers in and around it - enjoy it while you stay.
Shops are at walking distance (1 supermarket) or bicycle distance (5 supermarkets and weekly market plus numerous smaller shops). Antwerp city is reachable by public transport, by bike or by car/taxi.
There are daily fresh eggs from our farm birds, a little less in the colder times.
The garden flowers almost year round!
We don't expect you to participate in the costs of the house during your stay (no electricity/gas/water/...).
We have no television but the wifi is fast and stable.
Our property is secured with a camera system, 24/7 with online back up and remote access, so you are safe at all time (and police is there in less than 5 minutes in case of urgencies).
We can provide 1 or 2 bicycles for you to do your groceries with.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

Please have references.
It is preferred that you have a car at your disposal, or at least have a driving license so that you can drive in case of emergencies with one of our pets.
Fluent English is helpful.
For longer stays it is a stay that you will be ok to spend a few weeks close to a city but in a slightly remote area. The farm sits on 42 hectares. For younger people, especially to stay alone, for them we notice it can be a little much.
If it's sunny it's lovely, though rainy weather can be nice too, just bring your rain coat and rubber boots if you can. If it rains our dog still need walks and the pool still needs attention moreso in summer. If it doesn't rain and especially if it's hot, the poultry may need some extra attention (more than 1x/day fresh water).
We only ask that you do not bring visitors. If it is necessary, we ask taht you let us know. We also ask that you do not bring your own pets. If you do need to bring your dog for instance, it would be in the case they could meet Uma and the cats and see they can get along friendly and safely so not to cause you or them unwanted stress.
It is ideal if yo can visit with us a couple days before for an hour or two. If you come from far, you can stay in our home a couple days before we leave, share meals with us and so we can show you around to get to know the animals and the way all it is organized.
An online meeting in advance is a better way to first see if it could work with your stay.

Our dog is a fox terrier, she is sweet and easy and listens very well and even more so with regular walks and good attention. However, she can easily take the upper hand if you are not strict and firm with her and the boundaries. She is not allowed on the couch, nor upstairs in or around the bed, nor near you while you eat. We do not allow begging for food, nor do we feed her people food. She is fed after you finish and only eats when you tell her to eat. We have had these rules from the beginning and we are sure you will find her a great dog. She is a good companion and loves to quietly sit or lay at your feet if your lounging outside or in the salon. She does not need a leash outside and on the property or at the farm. We just ask that you put her on a leash if you go for a walk off site of our property or in the forest next to our place. Doggie bags will be provided for walks on the leash. The rest of the time, no need to clean up her poo as it is all nature here. Our cats are easy as pie as long as you cuddle often enough.
If this works out well for everyone we'll probably be glad to work with you again.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

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